Facebook has updated Facebook Live to include live streaming within groups and events, as well as interactive features like real-time reactions, replay comments and live filters and a live map showing video in 60 countries.
The big changes were announced in a blog post from product management director Fidji Simo, product management director who said: “With Facebook Live you can use your phone to share a moment instantly with the people you care about. This means your friends, family or fans can be there with you, and you can respond to their comments and see their reactions.”
Live for Groups and Events
People within invited to a Facebook Event and Facebook Group now have the ability to broadcast within the page. Some of the examples given by Facebook include Live for people who can’t make it in person to a birthday but can still experience it on Facebook or a performer can go live backstage to the people who’ve RSVP-ed to the event to give them a sneak peak.
Interactive Features: Live Reactions, Replay Comments, Live Filters
Using the same reactions Facebook launched in News Feed, viewers can select Love, Haha, Wow, Sad or Angry on Live. Reactions appear in real time and disappear quickly so broadcasters and other viewers can get a sense of how people are feeling at different points during the live video.
Facebook will also replay comments as they happened during the live broadcast when people watch it later. Similar to Instagram, Facebook Live will also include five Live Filters, and eventually the ability to draw or doodle on your video while live.
Discover more live videos: Invite Friends, Live Video Destination and Live Map
In response to people trying to watch Live with friends, there is now an option to invite a friend and they will receive a push notification with your invitation. There will also be a dedicated place on Facebook’s mobile app where you can discover live video that the world is talking about, live video from the friends and creators that matter most to you, and live video on topics you’re interested in. Facebook is also releasing a Live Map on desktop where you can share live video and see what’s going on across the globe.
These features will be rolling out on iOS and Android over the coming weeks.
