Three Concerns I Have With Meerkat and Periscope

By Nathan Young on March 27, 2015

Well, live streaming is now moving from the computer to the smartphone. A couple of new apps are now out that allows anyone to livestream from where they are at. It could be a breaking news story, or a concert, or a sporting event, or even behind the scenes, livestreaming is moving mobile! The two new apps that allows you to livestream are called Meerkat and Periscope. Merrkat debuted during SXSW and is currently getting a ton of media attention.

With Meerkat, you download the app, and sync your Twitter account, and off you go. Periscope is basically the same thing. Users of these two apps can stream live video and audio from their smartphones and share a link to the broadcast on Twitter. Then people can follow along to watch the stream, comment on what’s happening, and pass the link along to others. I watched some livestreams from Meerkat, and it has a bright future. Most of the video is not the HD video you see online, but I am sure that will improve with time.

But, there are a few concerns I have with Meerkat and Periscope. And I wanted to highlight them in this post!

1. No Android App

Seriously, I am not an Apple person, and I consider them dark! There is no Meerkat and Periscope Android app yet. So, while I watch livestreams from other people, I sit and wonder when I will get a chance to experience livestreaming from my phone. And no, I am not going to go out and buy an iPhone.

2. Share These Videos To YouTube or Vimeo

I wonder if there will be a way to share my livestream videos to YouTube or Vimeo after I complete a livestream session? I mean, I would like to have the chance to re-watch streams when I am away.

3. The Notifications

Judging by other users, both apps needs to develop ways so I don’t get notifications every time someone I know is livestreaming!

So there you have it! I think both Meerkat and Periscope are going to be great apps everyone with a smartphone will have to download. And if you are asking which app I would prefer? I am an underdog, so I will stick with Meerkat!