X, previously known as Twitter, has announced its intention to introduce video calling to its platform, taking a significant step towards becoming an all-encompassing app similar to China’s WeChat. The move aligns with X’s transformation under the ownership of Elon Musk, who envisioned Twitter evolving into a multifunctional application catering to various user needs.
X Corp’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, revealed in an interview with CNBC that users will soon be able to engage in video chat calls directly within the app. One distinct feature of this video calling capability is that users won’t need to share their phone numbers to initiate video calls on the platform.
This strategic expansion aligns with X’s broader ambitions to offer a comprehensive suite of services to its users. Beyond video calls, the company is exploring other features like long-form videos, creator subscriptions, and digital payment solutions.
Andrea Conway, a designer at X, teased the upcoming video calling feature in a tweet, stating, “Just called someone on X.”
Elon Musk, who now owns X, has long expressed his desire to transform the platform into an “everything app,” akin to China’s WeChat. When Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, he articulated his vision of Twitter becoming a catalyst for creating X, the multifunctional app he envisioned.
In October of the previous year, Musk explained, “Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app. Twitter probably accelerates X by 3 to 5 years, but I could be wrong.”
Musk’s aspiration for Twitter, now X, to evolve into a comprehensive platform stems from his belief in the need for a super app. He has proposed that Twitter could fill this role by either transforming itself or creating an entirely new entity.
During a direct call with Twitter employees following the acquisition, Musk shared his vision of incorporating aspects from platforms like TikTok and WeChat while allowing for more diverse and even “outrageous comments” to foster engagement and creativity.
As X continues to reshape its identity and features under Musk’s guidance, its journey to becoming an “everything app” is marked by strategic innovations aimed at offering users a seamless and holistic digital experience.
