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Facebook expands Portal group calls to 50 people
It's bringing more Zoom-esque features to the device.
Facebook will soon let streamers charge for broadcasts
A bunch of livestreaming features are on the way to Facebook, Instagram and Portal.
Musicians can power their Twitch streams with Dolby audio on iOS
With their touring schedules on hold for the time being, many musicians are turning to Twitch to stream gigs from home and try to make a living. While they might have all the recording gear and instruments they need, they might not necessarily have a high-end livestreaming setup. Dolby On might prove to be the answer for them following the latest update to the iOS app.
Facebook introduces new livestreaming features as demand skyrockets
Facebook is working on new features that make it easier for people to access live streams — even if they don't have a Facebook account — as it tries to meet the rise in demand for live video. The company will begin allowing non-Facebook users to watch live streams from mobile devices, something previously only available on desktop. The feature is already available to Android users and will be rolling out to iOS "in the coming weeks."
Facebook unveils a 'one-strike' policy for live streaming violations
Facebook has unveiled a one-strike policy for live streaming violations in the wake of an extreme right terrorist attack in New Zealand, the company announced. It said users who violate community standards just a single time on Facebook Live could be banned from streaming for a set time, depending on the nature of the violation. "Our goal is to minimize risk of abuse on Live while enabling people to use Live in a positive way every day," wrote Integrity VP Guy Rosen.
Oculus Rift can stream live VR to Facebook
It's now much easier to share what you're doing on your Oculus Rift, even if people are nowhere near your living room. Oculus is starting to roll out an update that introduces broadcasting on Facebook Live. Switch it on and you can livestream the view from your headset to friends or the public. It's up to developers to decide whether or not they include the feature, but "hundreds" of apps (including Echo VR and Dead & Buried) are ready for the feature right now.
Facebook and MTV are revamping 'The Real World'
Facebook's big push into original video content is only getting stronger. Less than two months after the worldwide launch of its Watch streaming service, which is also trying to lure in independent creators, the company is making some major show announcements. For starters, Facebook is now teaming up with MTV on a "reimagined" version of the popular reality series The Real World, which will have an interactive, social component that'll let viewers vote one housemate onto the show before it airs. The new seasons of The Real World, set to debut exclusively on Facebook Watch in 2019, will be produced in Mexico, Thailand and, of course, the United States.
WWE’s live Facebook show is returning for a second season
Some of WWE's biggest superstars will return to Facebook Watch when the second season of Mixed Match Challenge premieres September 18th at 10PM Eastern. A preshow will air before each 30-minute episode this time around, while a round-robin format replaces the single-elimination tournament from the first season, which took place earlier this year.
Facebook's 'shared viewing' video feature is coming to all groups
Facebook has made it clear that it wants to make video a crucial part of its business, as it looks to compete with the likes of YouTube, Amazon and Netflix. And, over the past few months, the company's been making changes to help it get there, launching new features aimed at making videos more social. One of those is Watch Party, an experimental tool introduced in January that lets members of Facebook groups watch videos together and simultaneously. That shared watching experience, which works with both live and pre-recorded videos, was only available to select users when it was first announced, but now Facebook is bringing it to every group worldwide.
Facebook will soon let you rewind livestreams during a broadcast
Facebook didn't dedicate a ton of attention to its live video push at F8 last week, but that doesn't mean the social network isn't hard at work on the feature. In an announcement today aimed at live video publishers, the company says its currently testing a "Live Rewind" feature for Facebook Live videos. Soon you'll be able to scrub back to that crazy thing you missed without having to wait until the stream is over.
Facebook lets creators turn video premieres into live events
If you watch enough Twitch channels, you may have seen a Premiere -- a pre-recorded video that debuts as a live stream. It lets broadcasters recreate the thrill you'd expect from a TV show premiere, just in an online format. Sound like a good idea? Facebook agrees. It's testing Premieres, an option that lets creators launch canned videos as Facebook Live moments, complete with real-time chats. You can check out a movie trailer or Watch show at the same time as everyone else, rather than racing to watch them on your own before your friends spoil everything.
Nearly two billion people have watched Facebook Live broadcasts
There's no doubt that Facebook Live has grown a lot in the two years since it launched, but by how much? Facebook is eager to share a few stats. The social network has chalked up more than 3.5 billion broadcasts since 2016, with the daily average continuing to double year over year. And crucially, a large chunk of the human population has seen them -- the site claims that nearly 2 billion people have watched Facebook Live broadcasts. When the company achieved 2 billion total monthly users in 2017, the odds are high that you've caught at least one live stream.
'H1Z1' eSports league will stream solely on Facebook
H1Z1 has had to fight hard for time in the spotlight with PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite hanging around, but it might have a way of grabbing attention. Twin Galaxies' H1Z1 Pro League has unveiled an exclusive deal that will stream all digital content on Facebook. It has an official home, too -- it'll be situated in Las Vegas' Twin Galaxies eSports Arena, with Caesars Entertainment as the official venue and entertainment partner. The first season starts April 21st with 15 teams (including well-known outfits like Cloud9 and Luminosity) competing in two splits of 10 weeks each, with the championship due in the fall.
Facebook takes on Twitch and YouTube in game streaming push
Last year Facebook launched a Creator app for video hosts to create more video content for the social network. Now it's doubling down on the concept, this time for those who make gaming videos. It's a pretty clear bid to compete with YouTube, Twitch and Mixer for the attention of gaming fans who love watching other people play video games.
Facebook adds livestream features to old videos
Facebook says its Live videos are wildly popular and generate around six times the interaction other videos do. That's why it's testing a new feature that adds the elements responsible for making Live a more engaging, interactive experience to non-Live videos on the platform. Starting today, select Groups will have access to "Watch Party," an experimental tool that creates a shared experience for multiple users. It allows administrators to post any public video on their Group, which members can then watch together at the same time. (Also, it probably helps that a billion accounts use Facebook Groups every month.) They can even leave comments and reactions that show up on screen the same way they do on Live, whatever it is they're watching.
Essential Phone sends 360-degree live video to Facebook and YouTube
Essential has been racing to improve the (frankly lackluster) camera software on its phone ever since launch, and now those upgrades are showering affection on the handset's signature 360 Camera attachment. Andy Rubin's outfit is delivering an update that adds streaming live 360-degree video to both Facebook Live and YouTube Live. In other words, that add-on just became much more useful -- you can broadcast your adventures in a VR-friendly format just by clipping a camera to your phone.
Facebook slips a screen-sharing feature into Live videos
Facebook has quietly launched a new feature for Live videos that makes sharing your screen a painless experience. Instead of downloading a third-party service, you can now simply click the "Share Screen" button that appears once you enter the Live module on desktop. TheNextWeb's Matt Navarra has discovered the new sharing option, which doesn't seem to be experimental, because we were able to activate the feature for our account even outside the US.
DxO's snap-on smartphone camera is coming to Android
DxO, the company best known for its lens and camera scores, is also behind one of the nicer smartphone-attached cameras out there, the $499 DxO One. Up until now, it has only supported the iPhone and iPad, but the company has revealed that it will soon release the DxO One Android via an early access program. It didn't give many details, other than saying it will attach to type-C USB connectors, so it'll likely only work with newer Android devices.
Instagram's face filters are now available during your livestreams
The face filters that Instagram swiped from Snapchat are now available on Instagram Live. Starting today, you can add filters before your Live feed airs or during with options that include various crowns and animal ears as well as pilot getup and and nerd glasses. Also, for the next week, a sunglasses filter will be available only through live video and it allows users to tap on the glasses to change what scenery is reflected off of them.
Stroll down The Emmys red carpet live on Facebook
For those planning to watch the Emmy Awards this Sunday, CBS and the Television Academy have put together a slew of different ways for you to experience the event. As Variety reports, with content on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, they have every bit of the show covered including pre-show prep, red carpet and backstage access.
