The latest craze- Live Video Streaming Apps

"Explore the world through someone else's eyes" is the catch phrase of 1 year young Periscope app, recently acquired by Twitter. This is just one of the many latest craze live video streaming apps. The concept is simple, create an account and login. From there you can search and follow users of the application.You can opt-in for mobile notifications so when a user goes live you can view their feed in real time. 

You too have the ability to stream live video yourself. Each app has a simple to setup option to start your own video feed. Give your video a name, choose your audience, and begin broadcasting at the touch of a button. Private broadcasting is usually an option if you're not open to the public.

So far I've tested 4 apps: Meerkat, Periscope, YouNow, and of course Google Hangouts. Each of these I have really enjoyed trying. I quickly browsed through the feeds that were live and watched a few that interested me. In the comfort of my own home (in bed to be exact) I was watching the Jets game on tv and catching a live feed from someone inside the stadium. Next, I watched an upcoming artist sing out everyone's comments (in most apps you can interact with the streamer by making comments and likes which are viewed by all, live). Lastly, in one app there was a map of where live streams were occurring so I browsed outside if the US; I actually got to walk through the streets of a small community in Africa where a man was exploring a local food market. In just a few short minutes I had been to a football game, concert, and another country. How cool is that?









These are just a few of some really fun ways to step into the lives of other people all around the world. I really see this concept of live video streaming becoming a new way of the future. It allows user to instantly explore a greater world then they have physical access to, at their own comforts. Famous celebrities and artists are even jumping on the band wagon. You can view the group U2 as they prep before a concert or Jimmy Fallon as he prepares a monologue for his next late night show. The possibilities are endless! 

Here is a list of the most common live video streaming apps:

• Meerkat
• Periscope
• Ustream
• Twitcam
• Livestream
• Google Hangouts
• Snapchat Live
• YouTube Live
• Streamup
• YouNow

I  encourage you to download some of these apps and give them a try, I really think you'll be entertained, and maybe even learn something new! 

New document protection features added to Google Docs

Google recently came out with a feature we've yet to see, that allow you to prevent people from downloading and/or printing your Doc. Basically, you can set it so that they can only view it online. This feature is only available for the actual owner of the doc and, as of now, it is only available on newly created Docs, not past Docs. 

Below, I've copied and pasted Google's specific directions for how to access these settings. You too can find this if you click on share (in a new Doc), then click on advanced and you will see the options at the very bottom of the doc. There you will find these exact directions linked to the text "learn more."  Here is what it looks like:

I hope you find this to be helpful!

From Google:

To prevent people you share with from being able to download, print, or copy your file or folder, turn this setting on.
In Google Drive

1. Go to drive.google.com.

1. Select a file or folder.

1. At the top, click the share icon .

1. In the bottom right, click Advanced.

1. Next to "Disable options to download, print, and copy for commenters and viewers," check the box.

1. Click Save changes.

Docs, Sheets, or Slides

1. Go to a Docs, Sheets, or Slides home screen.

1. Open a file.

1. In the top right, click Share .

1. In the bottom right, click Advanced.

1. Next to "Disable options to download, print, and copy for commenters and viewers," check the box.

1. Click Save changes.

Note:

• People with "edit" permissions will still be able to download, print, and copy your file or folder, even if this setting is on.

• If you turn this setting on, all options to download, print, and copy will be hidden from Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

New to iOS 8.3

Apple just recently launched a new update, iOS 8.3. Check out a few of the cool new features!

Reorganized emoji layout with additional skin colored emjois

Press down on an emoji and additional icons will appear. I can now send emojis that look just like me and my brown hair! I still cant figure out why the couples' emojis don't change, we're not all yellow, but at least you can get 5 different Santas. 

 

Wifi Calling 

Sprint and T Mobile only (in the US) as of now. Come on Verizon, get with the in crowd! 

Filter Unknown Senders

Ever get a text message from a spam company? To filter these out of your messages go to Settings, Messages and scroll to the bottom to Filter Unknow Senders and turn that button on. Great, good bye sweepstakes I've never actually won! 

Password Settings for iTunes

You can now set your password settings for purchased, in-app purchase, and free downloads. Go to Settings, iTunes & App Store, Password Settings. I love that I wont have to enter a password for free downloads, I think I can trust myself, right?

Check out Apple's link here for a full list of updates/fixes

YouTube (for) Kids

Do your kids love to watch YouTube videos? Are you concerned with ads, comments, or inappropriate content? If so, I've found a great solution for you! YouTube Kids is a free app created by Google that allows for safe, fun, kid friendly, video viewing.

When I opened the app, I was immediately greeted by the sweet sound of kids giggling and an inviting musical medley. The app is very easy to use and understand. You are welcomed to a home screen with various kid friendly videos. On the top bar there are 6 icons whose functions show a familiar photo resembling the action. These include :Recommended, Shows, Music, Learning, Explore and of course Search. There is a neat feature in the bottom right corner symbolized by a lock. After entering a "grownups only code" consisting of a code spelled out in numerical wording, you now have the option to apply a timer to your child's video watching privileges ranging from one minute through 2 hours. There is also a settings and feedback option, allowing the user to customize content control and privacy as well as leaving feedback with screenshots, allowing for  a user based experience.

Some video channels that are featured include, and not limited to: PBS KIDS, SESAME STREET, Thomas & Friends, and Strawberry Shortcake.

What I really liked about this app is how the videos appear. When you're viewing a video, it is free of ads and comments. There are no commercials or recommendations for inappropriate content. It is just pure content. When you're done viewing the video, below it are options for other videos in that channel. Pause and Play are available options when viewing your video. There are also back and forward buttons on the side of the video to allow you to toggle between other content in the channel. Should you have any concerns regarding the video you're child is watching, you can hit the 3 dots icon in the corner of the video and report the video.

Rest assure, if the content you're seeing isn't what you're looking for, the search tool is extremely helpful and provides the same great features mentioned above. Simply type in your search terms and it will perform a YouTube search for you. When you find a video or channel that fits your search just click on it and you'll see that the video is equally protected and viewable just as the recommended and suggested videos are.

This is sure to be a great tool to use at home and in school for safe, easy, fun video viewing!

Check out the Android App Here
Check out the iOS App Here

Shared With Me Is Back!!

Did you noticed when you upgraded to the new Google Drive something changed? Yup, the familiar Shared With Me section (where you find items shared with you) was renamed to "Incoming". Whose bright idea was that? Well I guess they listened and poof, take a look at your Google Drive, you'll see its changed back to Shared With Me. As usual, Google listened. If you ever want to leave feedback go to the Help menu drop down and select "Report An Issue". Trust me, they are checking!

All About that Vid: How to Make YouTube Videos safe, easy and fun!

Lately I've been working a lot with teachers in regards to creating, editing, posting and viewing youtube videos so I thought it was fitting to write a blog post with several of my favorite YouTube video applications. The three applications I will show you are free programs that you can use in the classroom to make youtube viewing safe, easy, and fun. Enjoy!



1. Safeshare.tv

 This application lets you paste a YouTube URL into their site and they will block out the ads and comments leaving you with just raw video footage to watch. Simply copy your YouTube video's URL then go to Safeshare.TV and paste it into the provided space. Then click on Generate Safe Link Check and a snapshot of your video will appear with a link that says Take me to the safe view. Click on that and wala! Check out this example: http://safeshare.tv/w/lbCyQLvYwD

2. Tubechop
This application allows to to "chop" up a video so you only share a section of the original YouTube video. This is helpful if a video is too long or only a portion of the video pertains to your class. To use this application go to www.tubechop.com and paste in your Youtube video's URL in the provided space and then click on search. It will take you to the full version of the original video with a purple slide bar added below. Here you can pull the tabs in toward the exact spot you want to start and stop the video. Underneath that is a box to write a quick comment about your newly chopped selection. Click on Chop it and view your slimmed down video. From there you can embed it or share the new link. Check out this example where I took the video you just watched and chopped it down.  http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4844087

3. YouTube EDU:
Last but not least, did you know YouTube has a special section just for education? This is a great space to teach and learn customized just for teachers and students. The videos are grouped by academic category so it makes it super easy to find a video for your subject. Don't forget to subscribe to your favorite grade level channels to access more content in the future! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/education