We are pleased to say that our live streaming video tests via cell phone were successful. We were able to stream some live action from one of the SCIFL League games at Santa Fe Springs, CA, with nothing more than a hand held cell phone. While the results are nothing fancy, and quality is like any other cell phone video, it does open all kinds of venues for live streaming that were not possible before.
Click this link to view today’s test videos: If you’re looking for our QIK page of videos at a later date, you’ll find it in the “Links” section of our right hand sidebar at Fastpitchwest, under “Flanagan Websites”.
You’ll see in one of the videos that Dave Blackburn’s Maccabi teammates were able to give him a shout out to him at his rehab center, while he watched on an iPad. Pretty remarkable how simple the technology is making things. I’m leaving the videos up for a short time, so the players in the videos can see them, and in case you’re curious about the results.
Like most cell phone pics or videos, they display better on smaller display, especially on a smart phone. We viewed on another Sprint EVO while streaming and the quality was quite good. Smaller window produces better results. There’s no zoom, so what you see is what you get. For best results, suggest clicking the little arrow in the right hand corner of the thumbnail, not the larger image. This will give you a smaller viewing window, but better looking video.
I am still marveling at the speed at which the technology has progressed, permitting live streaming action from virtually any ballpark in the world. Imagine sitting down at your computer on a Saturday afternoon and being able to view live feeds from several different ballparks, one in California, another in Wisconsin and yet another in Ontario Canada, because a fan brought his phone to the games.
The live streaming video is delivered by Qik.com and a cell phone app, in this case, for android phones. Earlier this year, Qik was purchased by Skype (an internet phone and video chat company familiar to many worldwide.). They reportedly paid $100 million for Qik, so it will be interesting to see how the application progresses. I’d say so far, they are off to a great start.
The QIK originally rolled out for Android phones only, but earlier this week, QIK announced its app for iPhones. If you have one and want to download the app, just go to “Market” or “App Store” on your iPhone or Android and download it, and follow the instructions.
Download the QIK app for iPhone ($2.99 via iTunes)
Download the QIK app for your Android (free)
Or click this link for the QR code (use with your smart phone’s bar code scanner)
If you have a smart phone, you can set up your own account at qik.com (it’s free), and try it out. If you are headed to the ballpark with yours, be sure to drop us a line at Fastpitchwest, and we’ll post a link to open the window to the world.
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