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Update 5/26/2015: Periscope is now available for Android devices. Read below to learn more.
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If you’re looking for a window on the world, check out Periscope, a new app from Twitter that live streams videos. You can feel as if you’re part of events as you watch them live using Periscope. While we’ve seen other apps do live stream videos, Twitter integration makes a big difference with Periscope.
About Periscope
Periscope is a live streaming video app that was launched by Twitter in March and has been soaring in popularity. Twitter has given Periscope a lot of exposure which has contributed to the widespread adoption of the app by many users in a very short time and made it easy to get started using the app.
The more users broadcast interesting videos, the more people will use and share the app, so expect Periscope’s popularity to continue to skyrocket.
Anyone who’s suffering from social media overload may be resistant to adding another account to their list. But Periscope being owned by Twitter makes both following people and getting followers much easier than starting on a brand new social media site.
People to Follow on Periscope
Periscope is the most fun when you find interesting people to follow. Hint: not everyone live streams video that’s worth watching. The key is to find those who broadcast interesting videos and don’t do it too often.
I recently watched the US Department of Interior broadcast a fascinating informational session about the blooming cherry trees around the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.
The broadcaster responded to the questions immediately and received a lot of hearts.
I also saw an inside tour of the British Embassy in Washington, DC and broadcasts from backstage at The Ellen Show and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
LIVE on #Periscope: #UKPM David Cameron live from Downing Street https://t.co/vaXffzAAtQ
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) May 8, 2015
Finding People to Follow
Finding interesting accounts to follow on Periscope is easy. When you first join Periscope, follow any people on Twitter you think may be interesting. You can always unfollow them later if you guessed wrong.
You can also search for people to follow. Tap the people icon in the bottom right corner of the menu bar, then tap the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Not everyone uses their Twitter ID as their Periscope ID so you may have to guess at their name.
Tap on the globe icon in the menu bar at the bottom of your screen to see live streams from around the world.
Also check your Twitter feed for people tweeting about live broadcasts on Periscope. Search #periscope to find recommendations for live streams to watch.
Follow @Periscope on Twitter to find out about interesting live streams. Check out your favorite accounts to see whom they follow.
Conversations on Periscope
Although the video on Periscope is one-way, the conversation isn’t. Viewers can ask questions and make requests, which the broadcaster sees in real-time and can respond to.
Popular broadcasters have their streams fill up fast. Be sure to act quickly if you see a stream you want to join.
You can join in the conversation, send hearts and share the broadcast on Twitter.
Hearts
You can show your appreciation by sending hearts to the broadcaster during the live stream. As you watch the video you’ll see hearts floating up to the top of the screen (a lot if the video is especially awesome).
When you view a user’s profile you can see how many hearts they’ve earned to decide whether they’re follow-worthy. As Periscope is a fairly new platform, don’t rule out anyone with few hearts. They may just be getting started!
Notifications
Because videos are live, you may want to enable notifications for Periscope to make sure you don’t miss out. You’ll get a notification any time someone you follow starts streaming live.
Go to Settings >> Periscope >> Notifications to change your notification preferences for the app.
You can’t turn off notifications for individual Periscope users so you should unfollow anyone who floods your notification screen with their broadcasts.
Periscope lets you turn off notifications for three hours on your Apple Watch if you want a break from alerts about new live streams.
Note that Periscope doesn’t have an app for the Apple Watch. You need to open the app on your iPhone to view the Periscope video stream.
Saved Videos
Broadcasters can save their videos for 24 hours on Periscope so you don’t have to worry too much if you miss a live stream.
Tap on the TV icon in the left corner of the menu bar to see live and recent videos.
Broadcasting Videos
If you’re doing something fun and/or interesting, you can quickly share your life with the world. Open the Periscope app and tap the camera icon in the menu bar. You can type in a description, share your location and tweet your broadcast by tapping on the icons.
You can also keep your broadcast private to select followers by tapping on the lock icon.
Tap Start Broadcast to begin live streaming your video. Let the hearts begin…
Getting Started with Periscope
Periscope is currently available as an app, not a website. The Periscope app is currently available free for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Update 5/26/15: The Periscope app is now available free for Android devices at Google Play: Periscope app for Android
Download the app and then create an account. You have a choice to sign in with your Twitter account or create a new account. I recommend you sign in with Twitter so you can sync people you follow and who follow you.
Check out the excellent tutorial at my friend Ana Hoffman‘s site of how to get started with Periscope:
For more background information on how Periscope was developed, check out WIRED:
Your Thoughts
Have you watched a Periscope live stream video yet? Do you have any recommendations of people to follow? Do you broadcast Periscope videos? Feel free to leave your Periscope ID in your comment. Share your thoughts with us below!
Hi Carolyn,
Informative post indeed 🙂
Yes, Ana’s blog was the first time I read about Periscope, but never got on with it as I hardly use my phone…lol…and to have another app and social media account is something I have kept aside for later. I still have her post bookmarked, and now yours too for the time I am ready to get on with it!
I loved the flowing hearts most of all, and you are right, we shouldn’t just judge the people by their number as they might have just about got started with it. Surely something to keep in mind, and something like Instagram perhaps ( I am not there yet either!)
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, usually when you join a new social media site you have to wait for others to join and find your friends. But with Periscope you can follow the people you follow on Twitter so it’s very easy to engage right away. Even if you never broadcast you can enjoy events from around the world.
I think you’ll enjoy Periscope, Harleena. You can always load the app and delete it if you don’t like it. Ana has a great point in her article about joining Periscope just to grab your name. You don’t want anyone else grabbing it first!
Hi Carolyn,
This is the first time I have heard about Periscope, and I have never seen a Periscope live stream video yet. I understand why it’s becoming so popular, and I just have to take a closer look at it. I wonder if there are many users in Norway?
Thanks for letting me know about it Carolyn.
Hi Jens, Yes, be sure to sign up for Periscope, you’ll be getting notices about broadcasts right away. You could broadcast from the funicular next time you’re in Bergen. Or from your next Vegetarian festival to spread the news about it!
Great idea for Periscope to add a feature for “Broadcasts Near Me.” That would be a welcome feature for people looking for local events!
Hi Carolyn, I wondered about this one. I’m not sure if I will download yet or not, I have so many places to be. And what about Vine? What will that do to Vine?
I do like that it is owned by Twitter and my curiosity will probably have me downloaded it shortly I am sure. Thanks for sharing all about it. This is the first post I’ve seen explaining how to use it, etc.
Hi Lisa, Yes, I think if you try out Periscope you will really enjoy the broadcasts. You can watch the ones you’re interested in and ignore the ones you don’t care for. It’s free so why not give it a try? You can also grab the name you want if you get in early. If you wait, the name you want may not be available.
Vine isn’t live so I’m sure Vine will still be popular for those who want to post short videos.
WOW seems really wonderful and I think periscople will be really useful to learn more about whats going in world.
Hi Vicky, Yes, Periscope can be a very powerful platform. You can get notified of Periscope broadcasts from news sites to get instant information. Every day I’m finding interesting broadcasts on Periscope.
I’ll be looking for you on Periscope, Ms. Carolyn; thanks for the shout-out! 😉
Hi Ana, You’re very welcome. When I read your tutorial I knew that Wonder of Tech readers would enjoy learning how to use Periscope by following your helpful steps.
See you on Periscope soon!