Facebook to launch new audio products

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Monday the company planned to launch several audio products - including a competitor to audio app Clubhouse - and features for finding and playing podcasts.

Speaking in an interview on Discord with journalist Casey Newton, Zuckerberg said the world's largest social media network planned in the coming months to launch audio features including short-form audio clips called Soundbites.

Plus, a way for users to discover and play podcasts.

He also said Facebook was exploring live audio rooms, taking on the buzzy audio-only app Clubhouse, which experienced explosive growth in the past year as more people stayed home.

The app is a voice-only social media platform which allows users to chat or listen in on conversations.

Facebook joins a host of social companies that have announced audio features in recent months.

Twitter, for example, is also testing its live audio feature Spaces.

As part of the announcements, Zuckerberg also said Facebook is working with Spotify to make sharing content easier for musicians and listeners.