Capturing the Moment (and More) via Cellphone Video

The New York Times writes up how early adopters are now using their mobile phones to send live video broadcasts. They’re streaming scenes from their daily lives — like trips to the mall, weddings, a new puppy’s antics or even a breaking news story that they happen upon.

"People have moved on from texting,” said Carla Thompson, senior analyst at the Guidewire Group, a marketing research firm in San Francisco. “Just typing in what you are doing is no longer enough. That’s why the field of live video streaming is burgeoning.”

Once they have the right phones and plans, users can aim their built-in cameras, press a few buttons and, with the right software, be broadcasting within seconds. Their videos can be seen on blogs, on social networking sites like Facebook or, among other places, on the Web sites of companies that provide the software and services for streaming, like kyte or Qik.

Viewers can respond immediately to videos, typing messages on their keyboards, for instance, and sending them along to a live session. The typed chat appears instantly at the bottom of viewers’ screens."

emily | 10:11 AM | How people and businesses are using videophones |
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