Google has been busy working on a new live streaming app called YouTube Connect (YTC).
Watch out Facebook Live and Periscope, Google is coming after you!
How will it work?
It is thought that YTC will be similar in style to Facebook Live and Twitter’s Periscope. Users will simply log in with their Google credentials, which will allow them to start streaming straight from their mobiles.
YTC will come with all the features you would expect to see in a live streaming app including chat, tagging and a ‘newsfeed’ that will feature all the latest clips from your friends or channels you subscribe too.
Doesn’t YouTube already have live streaming?
YouTube currently offers live streaming capabilities through Creator Studio. However, this is solely for content creators who manage channels, and is limited in terms of access.
YTC is for both content creators and their audience, and will open up the live video streaming service to a much larger audience. As YouTube is the third biggest site in the world with over 1 billion users, it’s competitive potential is huge.
The boom of live streaming
The release of Facebook Live has been a major success. Businesses, celebrities and users are all using this new feature - and it works! Users get notified when their favourite pages go live, and can then interact live with them and other fans. It offers a new, exciting form of engagement, different to anything else on the market. It’s certainly something businesses can take advantage of.
We believe that this is just the start of a live streaming boom. Already, new products are being showcased live, news events around the world are being broadcast live, bands and DJs are performing live - the opportunities are endless.
Facebook Live released a major update yesterday, so update your app and check out the new ‘live video hub’ which has replaced the Messenger tab. This includes a ‘live’ map (desktop only) - very cool!
When can we expect YouTube Connect?
A release date is not yet known for the app. Here at Webreality, we have a sneaky suspicion that it may well be launched before Google’s I/O developer conference in May, using some of the biggest YouTube stars. Keep your eyes on your screen!
I want a live stream for my business!
We would love to get you and your business on-board with live streaming. Contact Mark Evans to discuss how we can help.