As
recently as 25 years ago, only large corporations and government agencies used video
conferencing technology, mostly because they were the ones that had the funding
necessary to purchase the costly equipment. However, recent technological
advances have brought live video streaming and video conferencing to the masses,
with more options coming to the marketplace every day. Instructors are using
live video streaming to conduct courses, business owners are connecting with
their customers through video conferencing, and everyday people are using it to
communicate with their followers on social networks.
Skype
Possibly
the most well-known video conferencing platform, Skype was one of the first
applications of its kind to reach the mainstream. What began as a novelty used
by teens and those in long-distance relationships has since morphed into
something much bigger. Today, most people have at least heard of Skype, and
many people already have an account. One main benefit of the app is that, unlike
Apple’s FaceTime, any user on any operating system can use Skype to
communicate.
Making
video calls with Skype is pretty straightforward. Most laptops and netbooks
come standard with a built-in webcam, and there are mobile apps for Android,
Apple, and Windows smartphones, so one can use the same Skype account on any of
these devices. Skype also has dedicated apps for calling over Wi-Fi (for devices
that support this feature). Free to download, Skype apps for desktop and mobile
come with pay-as-you-go credits. Premium options begin at $2.99 per month.
Livestream
Livestream
has been around since 2007. Quite possibly the most robust platform of those
overviewed here, Livestream enables users to view and broadcast live events as
well as stream video in real time. Users can even save video for viewing at a
later date and time, which is a great feature for those who use multiple
platforms to post video content or those who deliver content at regular
intervals, because it allows these users to save time by automating the
process. Livestream also has plug-ins that directly link to social media
platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, so users can instantly share
content.
What sets Livestream
apart from other video services are its features that are tailored for business
use. For example, Livestream offers a higher level of security than other
streaming platforms, which enables users to stream their content to a select
group of viewers. Livestream plans also include cloud storage, and businesses
can apply their unique brand information to video content. Additionally, Livestream
offers significant customer support, which is something that other streaming
services lack.
Creating
a Livestream account is free, but to post content users must pay a fee. Plans
begin at $42 per month for the Basic Plan and go up to $1199 per month for the
Custom Plan. Obviously, the priciest plans are more suitable for established
companies or networks that will be live streaming a large amount of content on
a regular basis.
Periscope
Periscope
is a newer videoconference app from the creators of Twitter. The fact that Periscope
is broadcast in real-time is its strongest feature, because this provides a
truly interactive experience. It is also less formal than Live Stream. Moreover,
Periscope offers Twitter integration, so you can follow anyone you already follow
on Twitter, if they have a Periscope account.
Periscope
is a unique tool for business owners or anyone who wants to communicate
visually with their audiences. Many people use the platform to present tutorials,
offer life-coaching sessions, provide fitness instruction, and even host virtual
listening parties for original music. The possibilities are only limited by the
user’s imagination. Periscope is available as a free download for Android and
iOS smartphones.
Video
technology has given way to scores of online and mobile applications that all
put their focus on video chatting and streaming. While other apps offer video
chat in a more limited form (Snapchat is quickly gaining popularity, but the
short videos, or snaps, expire quickly, and creating longer videos is currently
not possible), the apps outlined here provide a solid way to communicate and
deliver content.
All of the video
streaming options mentioned here allow users to chat within the app (similar to
text messaging), and group collaboration is standard as well. Because these
apps are all free, you should experiment with them to see which platform best
suits your needs.
