iPhones, Droids and BlackBerries are like mobile video production studios, capable of live video feeds with or without a WiFi connection.
If you’re thinking about using web video sites or already broadcast a show, check out these three awesome tools:
Qik
Qik is a mobile video sharing application that’s free to download on almost any mobile device.
The app is so much fun because it doesn’t play favorites when it comes to the type of phone you have (it’s supported on 140 mobiles, including iPhones and Android). Unlike the YouTube uploader on your iPhone, Qik broadcasts in real time, and the default setting is set to make a recording of your feed (something many other video sites don’t provide).
Download Qik free and you can record live interviews, capture breaking news as it happens, or share moments across time and space with millions (or even one or two) people. Qik makes it simple to upload when you have time or go live by pressing a button.
If you’re still not sold, check out the 21 Reasons You’ll Love Qik.
Ustream
Ustream lets you ‘curate’ the design of your own channel and it’s free to use. So when you’re ready to broadcast a show you can benefit from people who surf Ustream, and provide content to your regular viewers too.
Qik is more geared towards to the ‘in-the-moment’ broadcast, but Ustream is more like a live TV show. I host a show on Wednesdays on a channel that I custom designed using my MacBook Pro, but for field reporting I defer to Qik (you can create your own Ustream channel and show in just a few minutes, check out ‘How to Create an Addictive Ustream TV Show‘).
Ustream Producer
Ustream Producer gives Ustream a much needed shot of adrenaline.
When I first tried broadcasting with the free app, things didn’t go so well because I didn’t understand how to use the tool — so make sure you click on the headphones icon under the volume bar (right hand side of the producer dash) to eliminate painful feedback noise.
Also, it’s critical you select the video AND audio sources or else viewers won’t be able to hear your show (yes, this information comes from experience — thanks to the viewers who tweeted me to turn the sound on).
Producer lets you make killer videos because it eliminates the ‘talking head’ effect most shows suffer from. My buddy Patrick reminded me after a show not too long ago that the only problem with broadcasting was that the audience saw our faces instead of our computer screen. Now you can ‘screencast’ instead of just webcaming it.
Not only are the screencasts cool, they also have a smooth transition feature that lets you toggle back and forth between views of your screen and the webcam showing your face to the fans tuning in. Screencast isn’t the only cool show production feature though. You can also do picture-in-picture display and a whole lot more. If you broadcast from a laptop then the Ustream Producer is a must have tool.
Now get broadcasting on the mobile web today!