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Microsoft Insider update offers easier Twitch streaming on Xbox consoles
Microsoft has announced that it's introducing "Console Live Streaming" on its latest update Xbox Insider preview, making Twitch streaming much simpler.
Razer's new entry-level gear was made for streaming newbies
The Kiyo X webcam costs $80, while the Ripsaw X capture card is $140.
Panasonic's GH5 II refresh boosts 4K video quality and adds live streaming
Panasonic has unveiled the GH5 II, a refreshed version of its stalwart GH5 video and vlogging camera.
YouTube now supports HDR for live streams
You can now live stream to YouTube in HDR. If you want to.
Twitch suspends xQc for cheating in a 'Fall Guys' tournament
The streamer, aka Félix Lengyel, is also banned from Twitch Rivals events for six months.
Bandcamp finally gets in on livestreaming music
But as much as I miss live music, the musicians who actually play live music, miss it even more.
Twitch urges streamers not to use copyrighted music
The service apologized for how it handled a huge influx of DMCA claims.
Instagram extends the maximum length of Live streams to four hours
You'll soon be able to archive your streams for up to 30 days too.
Twitch clarifies its ban on terrorist and extremist content
The service reinforced that there's no place for such material on its platform.
Social distancing is pushing esports into the mainstream
Industries around the globe have ground to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic. Bars, restaurants, stadiums and factories have shuttered, and entire countries are on lockdown as citizens are ordered to stay home for weeks at a time in an attempt to control the disease's spread. With the streets empty, people are turning to their screens more than ever before. Viewership of streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, Mixer and Hulu has risen weekly since shelter-in-place orders began rolling out, and people are on the hunt for new forms of entertainment, ideally with a social twist. Something with a chat room, or dozens of forum posts to read through, or an active Twitter and Instagram presence. Something with stats and high stakes. Something live. Enter: Esports. As economic activity spirals downward around the world, the esports industry has been spun into overdrive. Leagues are ditching plans for in-person tournaments and pivoting to online-only matches, where they're finding a hungry audience.
Bandsintown will help artists promote livestreams
As musicians cancel concerts due to the coronavirus, bands like the Dropkick Murphys are turning to livestreams as a way to connect with fans and potentially recoup some of the money they're losing. Today, the concert-discovery app Bandsintown announced a new Watch Live feature that will let artists send push notifications when they livestream shows. Bandsintown is also launching its own Twitch channel.
Top Twitch streamer CouRage jumps to YouTube
In the wake of several high-profile streamer departures from Twitch to Mixer, Jack "CouRage" Dunlop is also jumping ship. But instead of going to Microsoft's platform, CouRage will stream exclusively on YouTube.
YouTube is testing paid online hangs with influencers
Google is expertimenting with an events-focused crowdfunding service for YouTube creators, according to a recent report from Variety. The new effort, called Fundo, allows YouTubers to set up online meet and greet sessions and other events that fans can pay to access. Several YouTube personalities have reportedly been using the feature to set up small online get together and live conversations with subscribers.
Twitter's expanded live programming includes new NFL shows
Twitter might have lost the right to livestream NFL games to Amazon a couple of years ago, but it remains tight with the league. The social network has revealed its expanded lineup of both live programming and on-demand video content at the 2019 Digital Content NewFronts, and it includes six new live NFL shows. They're specifically created for audiences on Twitter and will revolve around the biggest football events, such as the NFL Kickoff, the Thanksgiving games and (of course) the Super Bowl.
Google Assistant will finally work with business G Suite accounts
Google has been steadily rolling out G Suite updates like AI grammar suggestions in Google Docs, streamlined two-step verification, new Tasks features and shortcuts to make Google Doc and Sheet creation faster. Today, at the Cloud Next '19 event, Google announced its newest batch of G Suite changes.
Twitter is streaming live commentary shows for the NCAA's Final Four
Twitter is following March Madness with a frenzy of coverage for the basketball season's end. The social network is streaming an as-it-happens NCAA Final Four commentary show through @marchmadness, Final Four Twitter Live, starting with the Auburn vs. Virginia game on April 6th (that's right now, if you're watching in time) and wrapping up with a championship show on April 8th at 9PM Eastern. Whenever you tune in, the Turner Sports-produced show will "highlight" the Twitter discussions around each game using a host of analysts, reporters and special guests (such as Tiki Barber and Takeo Spikes).
Facebook COO says it's 'exploring' restrictions on who can go live
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg took to the Instagram blog this evening saying "We have heard feedback that we must do more – and we agree" (the post was also published as an op-ed in the New Zealand Herald). Despite the lack of credibility big tech companies have when it comes to dealing with dangerous hate groups, the post's title claims "We Can Win Against Hate." Specifically citing the mass shooting in Christchurch New Zealand, Sandberg revealed that it identified more than 900 videos showing portions of the shooter's original 17-minute Facebook Live broadcast. As a result, it's making an unspecified investment in research to identify these edited versions of violent videos and block them. More important, however, is news that the company is "exploring" restrictions on who can go Live. Coming nearly two years after a murderer in Cleveland broadcast his crime on a Facebook live stream, it seems horrifically late to start thinking about adding rules now. Still, even with a long list of incidents, all Sandberg could say is that potential restrictions could happen "depending on factors such as prior Community Standard violations." It's also updated the review process to respond more quickly on similar videos in the future, and listed ways it's supporting people in New Zealand via local organizations and the government.
AT&T is increasing DirecTV Now prices by $10 per month
If you subscribe to AT&T's DirecTV Now, keep an eye on your bill -- prices are going up again. Last July, AT&T increased the cost of its live TV streaming bundles by $5 per month. And according to Variety, beginning in April, AT&T will add another $10 per month. That means the cost of a monthly subscription has gone up more than 40 percent in less than one year. In addition to the price changes, AT&T will streamline its DirecTV Now plans offering just two, rather than its current five (though existing customers will not be kicked out of their packages).
Livestream arrives on bigger iOS screens with new iPad-optimized app
Yes, Apple's mobile platform lets you use iPhone apps on the iPad, but there's nothing like having one that's designed to take advantage of the excess real estate found on a tablet's display. With this in mind, Livestream today is releasing a new, universal version of its iOS application, complete with iPad optimization and a number of novel features in tow. Naturally, larger-screen compatibility is among the app's main highlights, while the rest focus on allowing users to easily launch broadcasts and watch real-time content. iOS devices can stream video in HD over 3G, 4G and WiFi -- and that includes being able to choose from a variety of live filters, share events on popular social networks (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), chat with viewers and, for those invested in the company's ecosystem, even use it as Livestream Broadcaster remote. We had a chance to spend some time with the application and were pleased to see how well it performs, particularly during live streams, which is no surprise as that's its bread and butter. Creating an event and getting a broadcast on the air using an iPad mini took no more than 10 seconds, making it a pretty powerful tool for someone looking to record and share videos on the go -- Livestream points to citizen journalism as a perfect example of how the app could be well utilized. Max Haot, CEO of Livestream, told us that the development of the iPad-enhanced app is part of his team's goal to have a strong presence across the many existing platforms. "Our mission is to bring all kinds of events to audiences from all over the world."
Verizon's FiOS Mobile app adds Encore, Starz and more for live-streaming anywhere
Verizon's FiOS mobile apps for Android and iOS are about to get significantly more appealing, as the carrier has just added 16 additional channels for out-of-home live streaming. When this feature debuted back in September, it only supported nine channels, including the Travel Channel and the BBC. As of today, though, FiOS customers will also have access to Encore, Showtime, Starz and many more. Verizon's also targeting sports fans with the addition of beIN and NFL Redzone. Here's hoping even more channels are to come.
