New iPhone software will have video streaming, according to Flixwagon
One problem that current iPhone users have with the device is that it has no video capabilities. However, you can manipulate the camera on the phone to keep its lens open to record video if you are willing to unlock it. Flixwagon is announcing compatibility of its service with these unlocked iPhones today.
It may seem somewhat odd that a company would announce functionality achieved by a hack, but it’s clear that iPhone users wanted a way to stream video live. And so rather than wait to build the functionality with the SDK meant for the 2.0 version of the iPhone software, the Flixwagon team put together a hack (see the video below).
Even though no mention of video capabilities was mentioned for the new iPhone software or iPhone 3G at the WWDC keynote on Monday, Flixwagon clearly expects it to be coming. “We’re going to continue working with the iPhone SDK in the future so we can offer this functionality to all users once video becomes a standard iPhone feature,” Flixwagon co-founder Sarig Reichert said.
Flixwagon competitor Qik just released a test version of its software for Windows Mobile devices. It also has not yet been able to get its software on the iPhone, but will likely attempt to do so.
The Tel Aviv, Israel-based Flixwagon hopes to have an alpha version of its software available to iPhone owners in July. See more trial iPhone/Flixwagon videos here.
update: Reichert tells us that this iPhone hack is meant for Wi-Fi connections only at the moment because the iPhone 3G is not out yet and EDGE speeds are not recommended for bandwidth intensive video.
Also, not to be outdone, it looks like Qik is demoing it own software running on a hacked iPhone as well.
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About the Author, MG Siegler
MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.