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

Similar to a virtual members-only club, users can access conversation rooms and listen to live chats on different topics

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

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.

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  The Entertainer - for deals and discounts on everything from food to fitness.

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  Privilee - for access to fancy hotel gyms and pools, and over 1000 fitness classes.

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  Overcast - for access to international podcasts not easily available in the UAE.

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  Zomato - for food delivery in an instant.

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  Waze - for driving directions and traffic information.

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  Cinema UAE - for a list of all films showing that day in every emirate.

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  Noon - for quick online delivery on household goods.

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  MarkVIP - for sales on luxury goods from around the region.

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  Abu Dhabi Taxi - for booking taxis, rather than hailing one on the road.

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  Namshi - for online clothing and shoe shopping, and quick delivery.

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  Cafu - to get petrol delivered to you, instead of having to wait in line at the service station.

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  Udrive - for super short-term car rental.

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  The National - for the region's best breaking news.

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  Nisnass - for online shopping when you want same-day delivery.

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  Muslim Pro - for prayer times and sounding the call to prayer if you're not near a mosque.

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  Duolingo - for learning a new language, like Arabic!

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  Washmen - for an efficient laundry pick-up and drop-off service.

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  Careem - a ride-hailing app at the press of a button.

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  TuneIn Radio - to access any radio station from elsewhere in the world.

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  Fetchr - for painless pick up and delivery of items.

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  Ministry of Interior - for checking traffic fines, visa information and other road-related services.

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  Asos - for online shopping, but delivery times can often vary.

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  Kibson's - for fresh produce delivery at fair prices.

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  Dubai Now - for Salik and Nol top-ups, police fines, utility payments, charitable contributions and on-street parking.

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  Ekar - for super short-term car rental.

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  Helpling - for cleaning and maintenance help around the home.

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  Meetup - to make new friends or find a hobby group.

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  Smart Dubai - for GPS guidance while driving, with more detail than Google Maps.

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  Groupon - for deals and discounts on everything from health and beauty to dining.

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  Insta Shop - to get your groceries delivered without ever leaving your house.

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  FoodOnClick - for efficient food delivery.

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  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.