New in the live room: raids, sound effects and more

A live show should feel like a night at the auction house: lively, friendly and never quite over. This week's live room changes are all about that.

Raids: end your show by sending everyone on

When your show finishes, you don't have to leave your audience at a blank screen. Press Raid and pick another show that's live right now.

Everyone watching sees a "Raiding" card with the other host's name and a five second countdown, then they're taken into that show together. Anyone who'd rather not go can press Stay here. The host you raid is told who raided them and how many people came along, and a gold line in their chat marks your arrival.

You'll find Raid beside End show on the live console and in the show menu on your phone. It's on the show summary too, if you've just ended.

The sound board

Streamers can now play sound effects through their show, like applause, a Sold gavel, a drum roll, an air horn and a cash till. You can upload up to 12 of your own as well, each up to 8 seconds long. More about the sound board

The sound board is a widget on the live console, and the number keys 1 to 9 play your pads. Every viewer hears the effect in the room, on the app and on the website.

Not for you? Viewers can turn effects off with the Sound effects switch in the room's More menu, and your phone or browser remembers the choice. The effects are never added to the video itself, so replays are just the show.

Hide chat, keep bidding

Tap the picture to step through three views: everything on, then chat hidden with the lot and the bid button still showing, then everything hidden. It's the easiest way to get a proper look at an item without missing your chance to bid.

Postage, always in view

The postage charge now sits by the seller's name for the whole show, for example "Postage £3.99, combined per show" or "Free postage". You no longer have to wait for a lot to start to see it.

Keep watching in a mini player

Leave the app mid show and the stream carries on in a small picture in picture window. Close it and you leave the room. It works on iPhone and Android in the latest app.

For sellers on the live console

• Last lot result. A clear card shows how the last lot went: Sold or Unsold, the item, the winner and the price in large type.
• Bid steps. Choose how much each bid goes up by before you start a lot, from 10p to £10, or leave it on automatic.
• Sell now. Start any listing straight away, without queuing it first. Add, edit and delete listings without leaving the console.
• A tidier Sold list. One line per sale, in order, with the newest sale highlighted.
• After the show. Close the summary and the console stays open, so you can look back at your sales, stats and chat. Past shows in the Hub open their results too.
• One fewer tab. The separate Live tab has gone. What it showed now sits on the main screen.

Read more about the live console, or catch up on the last live room update.

Join the waitlist and we'll email you the day Biddurs opens.