Facebook has launched a new service that lets users stream live video on the social network.
The tool has been tested by a select group of celebrities and high profile users have been able to use the service for several months. Some brand names are also experimenting with live streaming videos to promote their products and services.
The stream will display the number of live viewers, the names of friends who are watching and real-time comments as they are written. The video will be saved to users’ timelines until they choose to delete them.
Posted by Facebook on Wednesday, 2 December 2015
The tech giant said that “over time, the company plans to bring it to all users” but it did not give specific timescales.
In a blogpost introducing the service, Facebook said: “Live lets you show the people you care about what you’re seeing in real time – whether visiting a new place, cooking your favourite recipe or just want to share some thoughts.”
In additiopn, facebook is launching a new feature that lets users remix collages of thei photos online. The tool allows users to simply select photos and videos, arranging them in a desired sequence.
Facebook said collages would be available immediately on iPhone devices and rolled out to Android early next year.
Live streaming via mobile phones has become one of the big technology trends of the year, with Twitter-owned Periscope and Meerkat proving popular.
Initially Facebook’s live video feature will be available only to a small percentage of people in the US and will be limited to iPhones.
Last year, Amazon paid $1bn for live streaming game site Twitch.
