What is Houseparty? All you need to know about app that has taken internet by storm during lockdown

The 21-day country-wide lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak is allowing people more time to explore apps beyond the usual social media platforms. One such app is Houseparty which has taken the internet by storm, especially in India. About two weeks ago, the app was ranked on 1450th spot in the list of most popular apps on App Store. Now, it has jumped to the fourth spot. What’s bigger? It is the number 1 trending app now on Google Store. 

What is House Party?

Launched in the second half of 2016, Houseparty was started as a video calling app. It creates chatrooms where users can connect over video calls. Unlike any other video calling app, Houseparty allows users to join a conversation without seeking an invite. 

Not just this, Houseparty allows you to play several games with your friends within the chatrooms. It offers four free games while you need to pay for others. This makes Houseparty the right kind of app to get through self-isolation. 

How Houseparty works?

You need to create account and add friends from Facebook or through contact list. You can also send requests to friends and ask them to download the app. Houseparty sends out a notification when someone opens the app, letting you know they are available to hang. You can also “wave” to get their attention. You can also do that selectively, by “ghosting” the friends you don't want notified.

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There is also an option to lock the chatrooms which prevents people from barging into your conversations. The app allows you to add eight people to same conversation, more than what WhatsApp is offering.

What games can you play on Houseparty?

The games on Houseparty include trivia, quick draw (like Pictionary), Chips and Guac (word association), and Heads Up! (charades). Among trivia, you can choose from a variety of topics, be it superheroes, song lyrics, geography or sports among others.