The social giant Facebook has brought live streaming feature to all mobile users, and it didn't take long until it dominates the field. Facebook is aiming to do the same on desktops and laptops.
The live streaming feature for desktop has been available on Pages for some time, but on March 22nd, 2017, the company is bringing it to all of its users on desktops and laptops where they can stream directly through Facebook's web interface.
While live streaming on mobile can be more practical and easier, broadcasters tend to be amateurs and streams were usually shaky. This is because there are many things that distract while on the move, and things can be a bad experience for some live viewers. Arriving to desktops and laptops that support standard streaming software, users can do a lot more interesting things, such as inserting graphics, screen sharing, or using multi-camera setups, for example.
This also enables Facebook to be a better place for gaming streams.
Users can start a stream directly from their News Feed, profile, or through a Facebook page dedicated for it. Users can then paste their server URL or stream key just like any other service. They can even label the video with what game they're playing.
Facebook live streaming feature going to desktops and laptops is its way to expand its reach. Its aggressive push indicates its goal of conquering the "live streaming" method for people on the web, becoming a place where people can broadcast about almost anything at anytime.
Twitter''s Periscope has added an API just a day earlier. With Facebook live streaming PC launch, Facebook is looking forward to be the the ubiquitous broadcasting tool unmatched by others.
This also takes it beyond Twitter and Periscope’s options, and brings it into competition with services like YouTube, Ustream and Livestream, as well as Twitch.
There are few issues that need to be addressed before live streaming can really become a big advantage for Facebook and its user. In the past, Facebook live videos had streamed numerous violence broadcasts from its users. While Facebook promised to work hard to solve that problem but it failed to stop the violence from ever happening, or at least limit them. Some violence, including suicide live videos have been broadcasted live and stayed on Facebook for quite a while before the social giant realized and removed the contents.