Share real-time video moments and explore live broadcasts from around the world
Share real-time video moments and explore live broadcasts from around the world
Pros
- Strong discovery tools with Watch and Global feeds, including map-style browsing and sorting options
- Built-in interaction through hearts, live chat, and comment moderation features
- Flexible sharing and privacy choices with public posting options and private broadcast invitations
Cons
- Standalone app is discontinued, limiting its practical value as a dedicated Android live streaming option
- Discovery surfaces can include your broadcasts and replays unless you choose to delete them
Periscope - Live Video is a live streaming platform built around broadcasting in the moment, then browsing live streams and replays through feeds that highlight what is happening around the world.
This app is for anyone who wants a dedicated place to share real-time video and discover live broadcasts through a watch-focused interface, with simple ways to react and chat while a stream is running.
Watching what is live (and what you missed)
Periscope organizes viewing around a Watch Tab that surfaces live broadcasts and replays, including content tied to accounts you follow and streams that have been featured. It also includes a Global Feed for browsing broadcasts from across the service, with both list and map-style viewing options and sorting controls. For a more tailored feed, Periscope also presents curated channels, and it provides an option to hide channels you do not want to see.
Hearts, chat, and on-screen activity
Periscope’s core viewing experience is built on real-time interaction. Hearts work as quick reactions during public live broadcasts and replays, and the app also supports chat for commenting during a live stream. If abusive comments show up, Periscope includes comment moderation tools for reporting. During a broadcast, the interface can also show indicators tied to on-screen activity, such as when a screenshot is taken.
Public sharing vs private broadcasts
When a broadcast is posted, it can be watched on the web or within an X timeline, and the link can be reposted on X for wider distribution. Periscope also supports private broadcasts where you choose who is invited (including mutuals or groups), and private broadcasts are designed not to be shareable beyond those invitations. Broadcasts and replays may also appear in Periscope’s broader discovery surfaces unless they are deleted.
Current status: what the app offers today
Periscope’s standalone app has been discontinued, with its dedicated mobile apps removed from app stores after the service was described as being in a maintenance-focused state. Much of what Periscope offered was transitioned into X, so expectations for the original Android app should be set accordingly.
Pros
- Strong discovery tools with Watch and Global feeds, including map-style browsing and sorting options
- Built-in interaction through hearts, live chat, and comment moderation features
- Flexible sharing and privacy choices with public posting options and private broadcast invitations
Cons
- Standalone app is discontinued, limiting its practical value as a dedicated Android live streaming option
- Discovery surfaces can include your broadcasts and replays unless you choose to delete them
Pros
- Basic Interface
- Easy To Broadcast
- Engaging Content
Cons
- Lacks Categorized Feeds
- Can't Browse By Topic
Periscope for Android is an app that was built by Twitter with the express purpose of allowing live video streaming through their platform. There aren't many other live streaming apps with the same functionality and simplicity as Periscope despite the fact that live-stremaing has been around for quite some time. The problem was that no mobile ports existed to capture the market, at least in terms of products that could handle the load. Twitter got it right for the mobile industry when they released Periscope.
The interface for Periscope is exceptionally basic since that is the way Twitter tends to operate. Users with existing Twitter credentials can access the app, and it is possible to create an account specifically for the platform. New users will then be given a brief explanation of the software and what it can do. The welcome screen is only temporary, and soon the user will be greeted with a live feed of streams coming from all across the globe. Since Twitter is such a widely used platform, much of the content won't be in English, but English users will still find that content entertaining and informative.
One of the drawbacks of the system is that there is no way to search for or browse through any specific theme or topic. Users must follow accounts on Twitter to get access to their direct streams, and it isn't even possible to limit the streams to local areas. Such a feature would have been highly useful to those vacationing in an unfamiliar city. There are also no curated categories for the live feeds, which can detract from the overall experience.
Like many apps of this nature, the only way to broadcast a live stream is to give the app permission to use your location, camera, and microphone. Before you start streaming, you'll be given the chance to write out a small description of the content you are about to produce. Those that would prefer to keep their streams private can do so using the tiny lock icon on the screen. Since this app is integrated fully with Twitter, users will also be given the option to send out a tweet that shows they are live streaming through Periscope.
If you'd like to save the video you just sent out to the world, you can do so with just a few clicks. You can also browse through the analytical details of the recent stream, which conveys viewer info and basic details about the footage. This is one of the most simplistic apps of its genre, so users will have an easy time learning the finer points of the app.
The simplicity of the app has its ups and downs, but there are quite a few more ups than downs. The design in intuitive and simple, but the lack of categories for browsing is a bit annoying.
Pros
- Basic Interface
- Easy To Broadcast
- Engaging Content
Cons
- Lacks Categorized Feeds
- Can't Browse By Topic
Periscope allows users to stream live footage from their smartphones. At the touch of a button, users can begin streaming themselves and their surroundings. The Periscope app for Android runs well and features a simple user interface. Streamers broadcast in seconds, and users won't experience issues finding active streams to watch.
The Periscope app itself is clean and polished. Users won't find tons of features here, but the app is designed to be simple and straightforward. Without a doubt, Periscope is a must-have app for smartphone owners that love to share their lives with friends and strangers alike at the touch of a button.
Share hat you're doing with others online.
This is a live app that allows you to easily share your activities that you're doing at the moment. You can chat with others, post pictures and share videos that have been created. There is a good bit of content that you can browse through so that you can see what people across that world are doing.
