In a major development, popular video-calling app Zoom announced to open its platform to paid events in order to help performers, teachers and others monetize their activities such as concerts, yoga classes, comedy shows and music lessons.
The announcement of the new service called “OnZoom”, which is being launched in the United States ahead of a wider rollout, comes after tech giant Facebook announced a similar move to help people unable to hold in-person events owing to pandemic-induced restrictions.
“The difficult period we are going through has taught us that it’s possible to work remotely,” stated Zoom founder Eric Yuan, adding the future of communications will be a hybrid of the best physical and virtual practices.
Yuan announced the new service at the company’s Zoomtopia conference.
“We were humbled and inspired by all of the amazing ways the world adapted to a literal shutdown of in-person events,” Zoom product manager Aleks Swerdlow said.
Among those participating in the beta launch are:
– WW (formerly Weight Watchers) which would host virtual workshops
– Life Rolls that will host adaptive surf & skate events for people with disabilities
The newly launched service will allow for paid or free tickets, with an alternative to donate some of the proceeds to non-profit or philanthropic organizations. Initially, the US-based communications tech company would take no commission on ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the company will also start permitting third-party app developers for collaboration and productivity to integrate into the app under an initiative called Zapps