Periscope Adds Audio-Only Option So Creators Can Stream Off-Camera

Early livestreaming app Periscope, which has largely been eclipsed by competitors including Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, has launched a new audio-only feature for creators who wish to stream off-camera.

The app — which is owned by Twitter — developed the feature during a HackWeek, according to staff engineer Richard Plom, who notes that the Periscope community has long clamored for audio-only streams. Some users have even hacked the feature themselves by covering their camera lenses. “Sometimes people are not comfortable being on camera, but they still want to broadcast and interact with others via Periscope’s powerful chatroom feature,” Plom wrote.

Instead of a visual stream, when the audio-only feature is enabled, the app showcases an animated audiowave onscreen that mimics the speaker’s voice, per Mashable. And even though hosts won’t be visible, Periscope’s hallmark hearts, chat feature, and other interactive components are all still up for grabs.

The feature is currently available to iOS users, according to Twitter.