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Mevo is the first camera with live Facebook video
Facebook is making it easier to stream live video from any device, but what about getting one of those devices? Don't worry, as Livestream is stepping up to the plate. It just revealed that Mevo (formerly Movi) is the first camera with integrated Facebook Live streaming. The move not only simplifies the process of hopping online, but gives you a wide audience right from the get-go -- anyone who follows you on Facebook. Of course, you can still share directly through Livestream (other services are in the pipeline) if you're not tied to one social network.
Facebook pays news outlets to use its live video service
Facebook really, really wants its live video service to be a success -- so much so that it's willing to offer cash to get those streams going. The social network explains to Recode that it's offering a "financial incentive" to some partners to use Facebook Live. It's not naming them, but tipsters say that BuzzFeed, the Huffington Post (one of our sister sites), the New York Times and Vox Media are all on the dole. The terms of the deals are unsurprisingly secret, but the fact that Facebook is offering cash at all is notable. Although the company has clearly been encouraging celebrities to do live broadcasts, it hasn't acknowledged payments until now.
Facebook Live gets a discovery section and instant reactions
Facebook Live is looking to tap its billion-plus user advantage and built-in social and group features to gain an edge on rivals like Periscope. As such, it has revealed live streaming within groups and events, real-time reactions, invitations to watch video with friends and a live map showing video in 60 countries. Later today, the social network will launch the service in LA (on Facebook Live, of course) with appearances by Mark Zuckerberg and product chief Chris Cox. If you've been using Live, Facebook will give you a heads-up as to when to tune in to the broadcasts.
YouTube wants in on the mobile livestreaming game
YouTube Gaming might not be taking off the way Google's video wing expected, but that won't stop the outfit from taking inspiration from another growing video sector. VentureBeat reports that "YouTube Connect" is the video service's attempt at livestreaming a la Periscope and Facebook Live. You can log in with a Google or YouTube account (you haven't merged those yet?), plus there's a built-in news feed, chat and tagging -- but apparently no Facebook or Twitter sharing yet.
Facebook Live Video comes to Android
The ability to broadcast live video will soon be available to every Facebook user on iOS and Android. After its US debut on the iPhone, the company has slowly started to introduce the feature in other markets, including the UK. Now, it's coming to Google's mobile OS too, starting with users in the US today. "More countries will be coming soon," Facebook said in a blog post. In addition, the company has announced that 30 countries now have access through the iOS app: "We'll continue to roll this out to more people as well as Pages in countries around the world in the coming weeks."
Facebook's Live Video simplifies live streaming for everyone
Livestreaming has been around for several years now, but it wasn't until the arrival of mobile apps like Meerkat and Periscope that it caught on. Now Facebook has jumped in on the trend too. Yesterday, the Zuckerberg-owned empire expanded its Live Video feature beyond just celebs and verified pages so that everyone on the social network can get in on the bandwagon. It's only available on iOS for now, though an Android version should soon be on its way. After a few minutes playing with the new feature, I think Facebook's version has one significant advantage over the rest: that it's built into Facebook itself.
Facebook's live streaming is available to all verified pages
Facebook Live, the social network's version of Periscope, was already available for "public figures." Now, the folks in Menlo Park are giving all verified pages the chance to employ the tool. This means that you can expect more brands, sports teams and web personalities to begin live streaming with the help of the Facebook iOS app. Live videos allow Mark Zuckerberg & Co. to take on the likes of Twitter when it comes to breaking news and live event coverage.
Facebook lets you know when celebrities are streaming live video
No, Facebook isn't opening up its live streaming feature to the hoi polloi just yet, but it does have the next best thing. It's rolling out a subscription feature to Facebook Live that lets you know the next time your favorite celebrity starts a stream. You'll have to tap the button on a live video (seriously, shouldn't this always be available?), but it'll keep you in the loop the next time a star has a big announcement or Q&A. Clearly, Facebook isn't worried about competing directly with Twitter's Periscope right now -- it's more interested in boosting the profiles of its best-known users than giving everyone a chance to share their lives on camera.
Facebook does live video streaming, if you're a celebrity
After months of sitting on the sidelines while Meerkat and Periscope dominate the livestreaming space, Facebook is rolling out its own offering... well, sort of. It's launching Facebook Live, a service that lets "public figures" (that is, celebrities with verified public pages) stream real-time video of their adventures through Facebook Mentions. You can comment on and share these feeds if you're a mere commoner, but you can't record them yourself. Some of the first broadcasts will come from the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Michael Bublé and Serena Williams, if you're wondering about the intended users.
