Facebook brings live video streams for verified profiles

Facebook has introduced a new feature named ‘Live’ that allows users to live stream video from its Mentions app. This indeed is a step to take on Twitter’s Periscope and other mobile live-video services, though only available to celebrities and public figures now.

The Facebook profiles with ‘blue-check mark,’ verified users, can live stream video using their front or rear mobile camera from Facebook Mentions app. Once a video airs from a verified figure you follow, it’ll appear on your News Feed (and on their own Pages) right away.

The live-video behaves similar to any other video on the social network, meaning you can like, comment, and share the stream while watching it. And the same goes for the video host, too. You can also track when your friends or other public figures started watching the stream.

“Whether you have an established fan base or want to build up your audience, Live is a new way for you to connect authentically with your fans in the moment,” wrote Vadim Lavrusik, product manager at Facebook.

Facebook recommends to keep an eye out for live videos from Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Serena Williams, Luke Bryan, Ricardo Kaká, Ashley Tisdale, Lester Holt, Martha Stewart and Michael Bublé in the coming days.

Yet importantly, if you don’t know what Mentions app is, then let me weather the rock over you. Facebook Mentions is an iOS-only app that lets verified Facebook profiles interact with their audiences. These verified profiles include athletes, musicians, politicians and other public figures.

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