New YouTube Live features: its working on catching up to Twitch and Facebook

YouTube is working on it. They know they’re still behind Twitch but at least this announcement of new livestreaming features is a step in the right direction. Here’s to YouTube Live improving, even if it’s just a bit.
A few days ago, YouTube announced a host of new features for creators who use the platform for livestreaming.
If you follow Twitch closely enough, you’ll know that their closest competitor is YouTube… save for the fact that YouTube is still uploaded video territory as opposed to livestreaming hub.

The new features

Go live from desktop – no encoder needed!

Most of my experience livestreaming is on Facebook. Even then, my first time trying to use OBS was not an enjoyable experience. It took a lot of trial and error and I would argue, just a bit of sadness.
For the first time ever–finally–you can go live from desktop. Allelujah! (Please don’t mind the Last Week Tonight suggested video)
YouTube Live - Go live from desktop feature

Go live from your phone’s native camera app – lolwhut?

I reckon this one is the most interesting feature of the two announced.
Why bother trying to open a different app when trying to access your phone’s native camera is so much easier? This is the question YouTube seems to be answering with this feature.
Here is the list of phones that this feature will be available on:

  • Asus
  • LG
  • Motorola
  • Nokia
  • Samsung

Sorry Apple, HTC, Xiaomi, and apparently… Pixel users? (Surely, the Pixel should be on that list, no?)
Breathe. Don’t worry. There will be more phone availabilities coming soon:
 

Our goal is to bring this feature to even more device manufacturers throughout the year through the new YouTube Mobile Live deep link.
– Youtube Creators Blog

Haven’t used YouTube Live before?

Just as a caveat for those of you trying to check out the Go Live feature and haven’t livestreamed on YouTube before…

Here I was hoping to share screenshots of what the setup looks like based on my own YouTube account but no go! ????
In any case, I’m glad to hear that they’re making livestreaming a bit easier with these features. People who want to have a choice between using an encoder and not should have that choice. Plus, I’m all for ease of use wherever it’s possible.
Source: https://youtube-creators.googleblog.com/2018/03/making-it-easier-to-go-live.html