Life on Air, Inc. has created the Meerkat app to allow iOS users to stream live video to Twitter. This is actually the company's second live-streaming app, the first being the aptly named Air. Meerkat sort of works like Snapchat in that streams are ephemeral and are not saved by the app, although you can save them to your phone. Streams cannot be replayed, meaning that if you want to watch something you need to do so while it's live. Unlike Air, the Meerkat app has to be connected to Twitter to work.
Twitter is one of the biggest social media companies around yet it has struggled to find a way to appeal to a mass audience. Acquiring Vine gave it video, albeit with a short time limit. The Meerkat app greatly expands what you can do with Twitter and may help attract more new users to the service.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Ephemeral Video
- Opportunity for developing apps that allow users to share live streaming videos that disappear after they have been viewed
- Social Media Integration
- Opportunity for developing apps that integrate with social media platforms to expand their capabilities
- Live Events
- Opportunity for developing apps that allow users to share live streaming videos from events for a limited time
Where This Applies
- Social Media
- Opportunity for social media platforms to integrate live video streaming capabilities into their platforms
- Event Management
- Opportunity for event management companies to incorporate live streaming capabilities into their offerings
- Advertising
- Opportunity for advertising agencies to use live streaming video as a means of promoting products and services
