Facebook brings Live Video, collage; features coming soon to Android

We knew it was only a matter of time until Facebook got on the live video streaming bandwagon, and it appears that that time is now. The social media giant is introducing their Live Video feature that will allow users to share with their friends and followers as an event is happening at that very moment. They’re also introducing a new (well, new-ish) way of telling a story by combining photos and videos with their collage feature.

Live streaming was actually previously available, but only for certain verified celebrities and personalities who wanted to connect “in real time” with their fans or to give them an “exclusive” peek at the set of a tv show or movie or while recording an album. But now, us mere mortals, will also be able to do it, whether you want to share with family members far away your kid’s birthday celebration or you want friends to experience the joy of hearing your favorite band live for the first time. Just click the Live Video icon on your Update Status options, then write a description of what they will be seeing, then choose who can see it. After you finish your broadcast, the video will be saved on your timeline, and you can choose to keep it or delete it.

Facebook is also giving you a chance to tell your story visually through photos and videos in the new Collage feature. It will show the images and video in a scrolling, moving collage on your timeline. When you click on the photo button, you’ll see the recent pictures and video grouped together based on the date and where you took them. Of course you can edit it, rearrange the photos and videos, and then put a title to it.

Live Video is still in a testing phase for selected users, but you can already see how it works by following the celebrities who are already using it. Meanwhile, the collage feature will not arrive on Android yet until early next year.

SOURCE: Facebook