Qik Public Beta

Qik today said its live video streaming service has now entered a public beta and will let anyone sign up. The service allows users of supporting mobile phones to broadcast content directly from a 3G or Wi-Fi link either to the Qik website or to new places added with the public launch, including an embeddable player for any page or a Facebook app built into a user's profile. The new version also has lower lead times and has just 0.5 to three seconds' lead time, allowing show hosts a near-live connection that isn't always possible with other services.

The update also brings the ability to run self-serve pages for major live events as well as groups, which can limit videos only to certain private viewers rather than making all videos public.

Qik's new additions include extra Symbian Series 60 phones, including the Nokia N78, as well as newly added Windows Mobile device support that includes devices such as the Motorola Q series and Samsung's BlackJack.

The company also separately says that it still intends to offer Qik for iPhones, particularly the iPhone 3G, but says it has had to develop its own video capturing support without any existing support from Apple. The company is also uncertain as to whether its app will be allowed for the App Store and may have to limit the finished product to jailbroken devices, which can run any compatible app.

By Electronista Staff