You have to be famous to use Facebook’s live video streaming feature
Facebook is taking on Periscope and Meerkat, sort of. The social networking giant announced today that it is adding a live broadcasting feature to its Facebook Mentions app.
Originally launched a little more than a year ago, Mentions can only be used by verified public figures on the social network. And unlike Twitter, you need to be truly famous to be verified by Facebook.
Regular Facebook users will be able to view the live videos from public figures in their News Feed. When live, you’ll be able to comment, like, or share the video. Video sessions will also be archived on the celebrity’s page for viewing later.
Just like other live video apps, it’s simple for celebrities to star a broadcast through Mentions. They’ll just need to select the Live Video, and a description, and tap the Go Live button. During a broadcast, the app will show how many viewers are watching live and the different comments from fans.
Some of the celebrities planning on using the live video feature include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Serena Williams, Luke Bryan, Ricardo Kaka, Ashley Tisdale, Lester Holt, Martha Stewart, and Michael Bublé.
There’s no word when or if regular Facebook users will be able to take advantage of the live video feature. Even so, I suspect Facebook could be planning to eventually allowing all users to broadcast live.
But judging by some of the broadcasts I’ve seen from Twitter-powered Periscope and Meerkat, I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.
The Facebook Mentions app is designed for the iPhone/iPod touch and can be downloaded now on the App Store for free. You’ll have to be approved by Facebook to actually use the app, though.
For other news today, see: Just pull the Trigger for hot news, before it’s trending, Shazam keeps you in the app with Rdio and Spotify updates, and What will Force Touch mean for the iPhone?
