UStream .TV is a “live interactive video broadcast platform that enables anyone with a camera and an Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size.” The videos on the UStream.tv site are viewed by thousands of folks around the world.

Previously, UStream had come out with a UStream Viewing app, which allows users to log into their UStream account and view live and recorded video. Also, they had the UStream Recorder in the App Store, which allowed users to record locally on their iPhone and then upload to your UStream, Twitter or Facebook account.

Earlier in December, the company released the UStream Live Broadcaster, that allows users to stream live video from their iPhone to their UStream account. This allows you to share your video with friends, family or the world. Also, you have the ability to advise your Twitter and Facebook followers that you are about to go live with your feed. You can save the video locally and then upload. Basically it provides user with the same functionality that was available in the previous UStream Recorder of uploading a local video to your UStream, Twitter or Facebook account.

But the feature coveted, and previously only available by “Jailbreak” users, is the ability to stream live video. Thus, with the release of this app we see another heavily requested functionality available for the iPhone without having to “Jailbreak”. In fact, many of the comments, in the reviews for this app, centered on the “Jailbreak” question. Most commenting stated that because this app is now available they will not be contemplating “Jailbreaking” their iPhone. (Really?)

I’m not particularly interested to share my life with others. But let me share about how my friend makes use of UStream Live Broadcaster. Due to his job, my friend travels quite frequently from place to place and leave his wife to take care of the children. With UStream Live Broadcaster, it can let him know what’s going on at home while he’s away from home right from the iPhone. His wife can live stream any and all recitals, games, or events that his children may be involved in that he cannot be at. Moreover, UStream allows him the ability to password protect the shows. I won’t get into that functionality in this post, but it is available and allows the family user to ensure that only family members are viewing the moment you are sharing and wish to keep private.

The most abundant use of UStream up to this point has been for streaming your own video show. The mobile functionality that this app brings to those that do use UStream for this purpose will be invaluable. You could stream keynote speeches with your commentary immediately following. You could stream interviews on location and live getting reaction from either audience members or presenters. The list of use cases for this app for those that have a live streaming show is pretty much endless.

The fact that Apple has allowed a live streaming application to the App Store is very significant and could be the first volley in what will lead to “knocking” being available in the future. “Knocking” is the ability to stream live video from iPhone to iPhone. UStream’s iPhone to Web live video streaming has now opened the door for many other developers to follow. I look forward to how this progresses in the future.

To try out UStream Live Broadcaster on your iPhone, click this direct iTunes link to download the app. It’s completely free!

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Tagged as: App Store, iPhone, iPhone Apps, Streaming, UStream