While
live broadcasting videos from a Windows Mobile device isn't that new anymore (ComVu
demo'd this a couple of year ago with its Pocket Caster already), Qik took
it to the consumer Web 2.0 level. Was Qik available for Nokia S60 N-Series
devices already, Qik finally announced a - yet not public - Alpha version of its
video broadcasting client for Windows Mobile smartphones. With Qik's free live
video streaming service, users can stream live video to the Internet in just two
clicks from their mobile phone, and join others as they watch online and engage
in live interactive chat. Everyone from journalists to politicians use Qik to be
transparent in their reporting and campaigning on a global Web platform.
Currently in Alpha, Motorola Q and Samsung BlackJack users can request an
invitation for the service by signing up at http://qik.com/. The company is
working closely with the Windows Mobile team to get the product offering into
beta in the coming months, as well as expanding to additional Windows Mobile
phones.
"We're thrilled to be working with Microsoft and extending Qik's live
streaming service to Windows Mobile phones," said Ramu Sunkara, co-founder and
CEO of Qik. "We are also excited to partner with the Windows Mobile team to
optimize Qik for the Windows Mobile platform."
Microsoft expects to sell 20 million Windows Mobile licenses in FY08, with
phones available in 55 countries. This partnership helps both companies extend
their global footprint and capture the growing market of video sharing and
participating enthusiasts.
"Qik is at the forefront of how video from mobile devices should be shared
and integrated into our social lives," said Scott Rockfeld, group product
manager at Microsoft Corp. "As people increasingly expect high quality,
streaming video on mobile, Microsoft is committed to working with our partners
to deliver the best video experience on Windows Mobile phones."
Qik CEO Sunkara concluded: "We look forward to an ongoing relationship with
Microsoft. In the meantime, Qik continues to provide a service that helps keep
friends and families stay connected, features breaking news from professional
media and citizen journalists, and fosters a totally new kind of communication."
As mentioned above, Qik for Windows Mobile is currently available in a closed
Alpha only an support is limited to Windows Mobile Standard smartphones only,
namely the Samsung BlackJack/SGH-i600 and Motorola Q9 but more recent devices,
including Windows Mobile Professional smartphones are added hopefully soon.
Furthermore, services like Qik increases the need for HSUPA networks since Qik
requires a fast upstream and UMTS as well as HSDPA is still limited to 384 Kbps
while HSUPA offers upstreams up to 2 Mbps.
Cheers ~ Arne
