Clubhouse is an invitation-only audio platform. Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Clubhouse is an invitation-only audio platform. Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Clubhouse is an invitation-only audio platform. Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Clubhouse is an invitation-only audio platform. Mark Schiefelbein / AP

Clubhouse app: what is it and how can UAE residents access it?


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

From the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel to the world's tallest building, residents in the UAE are accustomed to a luxury lifestyle. Now, there is a swank social networking app to complement that thirst for exclusivity.

Clubhouse, which burst on to the scene last year, is an invitation-only audio platform created for the world's creme de la creme.

Akin to a live podcast, the invitation-only element sets this app apart from the rest. Simply put, if your name is not down you’re not coming in.

Similar to a virtual members-only club, users lucky enough to be on the app can tune in to conversation rooms and listen to chats on almost anything, from entrepreneurship, books and the latest innovations in technology.

Elon Musk recently launched a discussion on the platform that garnered huge interest from thousands of listeners.

And the billionaire tech entrepreneur is already planning his next conversation – a sit-down with Vladimir Putin.

This week, he tagged the Kremlin's official account to ask if the Russian president would like to join him in a conversation on the audio app. Now that would be worth a listen.

How do I get an invitation?

It is an iOS-only app, so first things first; no iPhone, no invite.

If you are part of the Apple brigade, then from here on in it is all about who you know.

An existing Clubhouse user has to send an invitation from their app giving you access to it. At first, users have only two invites available on their account, so you have to hope you are at the top of someone's list.

The invitation link usually comes in the form of a text message direct to your phone. Once that lands in your inbox, you’ll be prodded to set up an account.

_____________________

35 must-have apps in UAE

  • Deliveroo - for food delivery across the UAE.
    Deliveroo - for food delivery across the UAE.
  • The Entertainer - for deals and discounts on everything from food to fitness.
    The Entertainer - for deals and discounts on everything from food to fitness.
  • Privilee - for access to fancy hotel gyms and pools, and over 1000 fitness classes.
    Privilee - for access to fancy hotel gyms and pools, and over 1000 fitness classes.
  • Overcast - for access to international podcasts not easily available in the UAE.
    Overcast - for access to international podcasts not easily available in the UAE.
  • Zomato - for food delivery in an instant.
    Zomato - for food delivery in an instant.
  • Waze - for driving directions and traffic information.
    Waze - for driving directions and traffic information.
  • Cinema UAE - for a list of all films showing that day in every emirate.
    Cinema UAE - for a list of all films showing that day in every emirate.
  • CityGuard Abu Dhabi - to report almost any public problem you might come across in Abu Dhabi, from potholes or rubbish.
    CityGuard Abu Dhabi - to report almost any public problem you might come across in Abu Dhabi, from potholes or rubbish.
  • Beam - an in-phone payment system accepted at 3,000 venues in the UAE.
    Beam - an in-phone payment system accepted at 3,000 venues in the UAE.
  • Noon - for quick online delivery on household goods.
    Noon - for quick online delivery on household goods.
  • MarkVIP - for sales on luxury goods from around the region.
    MarkVIP - for sales on luxury goods from around the region.
  • Abu Dhabi Taxi - for booking taxis, rather than hailing one on the road.
    Abu Dhabi Taxi - for booking taxis, rather than hailing one on the road.
  • Namshi - for online clothing and shoe shopping, and quick delivery.
    Namshi - for online clothing and shoe shopping, and quick delivery.
  • Cafu - to get petrol delivered to you, instead of having to wait in line at the service station.
    Cafu - to get petrol delivered to you, instead of having to wait in line at the service station.
  • Udrive - for super short-term car rental.
    Udrive - for super short-term car rental.
  • The National - for the region's best breaking news.
    The National - for the region's best breaking news.
  • Nisnass - for online shopping when you want same-day delivery.
    Nisnass - for online shopping when you want same-day delivery.
  • Muslim Pro - for prayer times and sounding the call to prayer if you're not near a mosque.
    Muslim Pro - for prayer times and sounding the call to prayer if you're not near a mosque.
  • Duolingo - for learning a new language, like Arabic!
    Duolingo - for learning a new language, like Arabic!
  • Washmen - for an efficient laundry pick-up and drop-off service.
    Washmen - for an efficient laundry pick-up and drop-off service.
  • Careem - a ride-hailing app at the press of a button.
    Careem - a ride-hailing app at the press of a button.
  • TuneIn Radio - to access any radio station from elsewhere in the world.
    TuneIn Radio - to access any radio station from elsewhere in the world.
  • Fetchr - for painless pick up and delivery of items.
    Fetchr - for painless pick up and delivery of items.
  • Ministry of Interior - for checking traffic fines, visa information and other road-related services.
    Ministry of Interior - for checking traffic fines, visa information and other road-related services.
  • Asos - for online shopping, but delivery times can often vary.
    Asos - for online shopping, but delivery times can often vary.
  • Kibson's - for fresh produce delivery at fair prices.
    Kibson's - for fresh produce delivery at fair prices.
  • Dubai Now - for Salik and Nol top-ups, police fines, utility payments, charitable contributions and on-street parking.
    Dubai Now - for Salik and Nol top-ups, police fines, utility payments, charitable contributions and on-street parking.
  • Ekar - for super short-term car rental.
    Ekar - for super short-term car rental.
  • Helpling - for cleaning and maintenance help around the home.
    Helpling - for cleaning and maintenance help around the home.
  • Meetup - to make new friends or find a hobby group.
    Meetup - to make new friends or find a hobby group.
  • Smart Dubai - for GPS guidance while driving, with more detail than Google Maps.
    Smart Dubai - for GPS guidance while driving, with more detail than Google Maps.
  • Groupon - for deals and discounts on everything from health and beauty to dining.
    Groupon - for deals and discounts on everything from health and beauty to dining.
  • Insta Shop - to get your groceries delivered without ever leaving your house.
    Insta Shop - to get your groceries delivered without ever leaving your house.
  • FoodOnClick - for efficient food delivery.
    FoodOnClick - for efficient food delivery.
  • Darb - for bus times and route information, and walking maps.
    Darb - for bus times and route information, and walking maps.

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The process is pretty simple. They send a five-digit code to your mobile, you put that in, add your real name and then create your handle.

Sign-up is not instant though. Your details are sent off into a virtual abyss and you receive an alert to say they have reserved your chosen username and will get back to you on the status of your account.

If they confirm all is well, you’re in and officially a Clubhouse member.

What happens after I sign up?

Much like Spotify and iTunes, you will be asked to select your topics of interest.

Whether it is sport, music, business or health, the more boxes you tick, the more content you will have access to – or in this case, the more conversation rooms you can enter.

The conversation room is like an online conference call, live and in motion. Depending on who launched the chat, there could be one person talking or several. Most will be listening in and unable to participate.

When the conversation is over, the chat room is closed. Nothing is recorded on the app so if you are keen to listen in on a talk, you best log in to the live discussion because once it ends, it disappears.

Depending on what topics you select, the app will also recommend individuals for you to follow or join.

Do you have to use a VPN to access Clubhouse in the UAE?

No. One of The National staffers was lucky enough to receive an invitation to Clubhouse. She was able to access the sign-up phase without using a VPN.

The use of VPNs in the Emirates is not in itself against the law, but accessing certain content and websites from the country can be.

For now, the app can be used as normal, but for those who do use a VPN to log in to Clubhouse, using a free service may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking, potentially increasing a user’s risk.

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
EVIL%20DEAD%20RISE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELee%20Cronin%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlyssa%20Sutherland%2C%20Morgan%20Davies%2C%20Lily%20Sullivan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Racecard

7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m

8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m

8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m

9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m

9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Fixtures
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The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

THE SPECS

Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury

Engine:  3.6L V-6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 367Nm

Price: Dh280,000