Software above the level of a single device
It is once only a dream for people, both developer and users, to run same program across platform. Internet and Web 2.0 allow us to have that. We are now able to have work program for all devices such as Google doc. We can now have a storage that can be access anywhere from any devices with Dropbox. We can also watch what we want when we want with Youtube. In other word we are free from platform limitation. Today I’ll talk about Web 2.0 pattern “Software above the level of a single device” by Tim O’Reilly.
I’ve once talk about Twitch.tv in my previous post and now I want to use Twitch.tv and its app as an example since there are still a lot of information to explore. Twitch.tv is a game streaming website aim for entertainment of gamers around the world. Twitch also has app for both android and iOS(iPhone, iPad). These apps a lot of functions unlike their web version and there are lots of alternative to view stream video from Twitch.tv such as Streamie. These application turn all your device to be TV with your favorite show.
Twonky Beam is an apps that will stream your video data to your smart TV or any other DLNA devices. Basically, Twonky Beam will allow your TV, tablet, PC and any device you have to run video. Now we don’t have to bother physically connect our PC to TV to watch video streaming. We can just do everything by our little mobile devices in our hands.
Now let see best practices from Twitch apps and Twonky Beam:
- Design from the start to share data across devices, servers, and networks – Both Twitch.tv and Twonky can be use across platform and you can freely use any device to have the same result. You can watch your favorite show on any devices.
- Extend Web 2.0 to devices – Both apps can run on most devices especially Twonky Beam which allow you to watch Streaming video on your TV.
- Use the power of the network to make the edge smarter – Twonky Beam use home wifi network to connect to all your devices and turn them to be your TV.
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Hi Prapat,
It is so innovative when it comes to utilizing the network’s connectivity to connect one’s device to your tv! it makes such a huge difference in people’s life. It just gives the users a great sense of satisfaction when more of such “edge smart” as mention in your post gets. The best part of it is that it doesn’t limit the user’s choice of watching the streamed video. He/she can watch it anywhere, on the bus or train too!
Hi Jerfen
You can watch your favorite show on the bus for first half and then continue the second half on your big screen tv at home with comfortable sofa and perhaps some snack. Right now we can almost use every minute of our life to do something with mo bile application. Even though you need to wait for your bus or you just have some time to kill, you have lots of apps that will surely satisfy your need.
Prapat W.
Hi Prapat,
I like it, I like it a lot.
I had not heard of this software before your post but it is certainly something I will be looking into. Everything about it screams intuitive to me – clearly when this was designed they took a profile of their target user, and applied their software to each area of their lives. So many designers miss the target when it comes to doing that so it is refreshing to see that twitch were right on the mark.
Your reply above about watching half of a TV show on the bus on the way home, then pausing it as you walk into your house to prepare a snack and turn on the TV, then watching the other half? This was the stuff dreams were made of a short time ago and now it is a reality. I think it is applications like this that really make you appreciate the age in which we are living.
How long is the setup process with this? What if you have a digital TV but not a smart TV – I am guessing you could probably still connect via WI-FI? I am keen to check this out!
Cheers,
Adam.
Hi Adam
From my knowledge, you cannot access directly to your normal TV. You can still stream your video to media server devices that can connect to your TV such as Xbox or PC.
Prapat W.
Hi Prapat,
I love Twitch! Twitch was bought to my attention through a game (LOL) from the streaming of the live games i got to know about this application. You can watch what is screening on twitch on your mobile device which is so convenient! Just a question, with twitch are we seeing the decline of free to air and paid t.v?
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy
I think it really depend on people but there are now trend that people choose to watch what they want from many services available and not stick to just TV. A lot of people still watch and enjoy TV since they choose program for you to watch. I personally don’t watch much TV anymore.
Prapat W.
Hi Prapat,
The idea of having multiple screens for the same application was indeed something of a dream. With mobile technology, its more intuitive, faster and better than every. Twonky Beam is like a very good app to help with streaming your video across multiple devices, I have used it before and it was indeed easy to setup and get started. With Twitch, users participate with comments and voice while streaming?
-Sukshan
Hi Sukshan
It is a little bit sad that you can only watch stream with Twitch mobile app. You need to use other app such as Streamie which is great since you can participate in chat room and communicate with other watcher and streamer him/herself.
Prapat W.
Hello Prapat!
Very interesting blog, Twonky Beam seems like a great app for Smart TVs. As it works on WiFi, it should help clean up the clutter of wires in the living room.
Best Wishes,
Bidah Alkhaldi
Check out my blog @http://abidalalkhaldi.wordpress.com/
Hi Bidahalkhaldi
Twonky Beam really is a nice application for streaming. Many people didn’t watch TV anymore and to be able to stream video from your mobile devices is really comfortable.
Prapat W.
Hi Prapat,
This is great post! Have you heard about USTREAM? PS4 will have a new function of broadcasting in-game video and USREAM is a partner of the SEC.
Hi Dickychiu
I think at this rate I might not need to buy anymore game console since I can just see people playing games which give me the similar feeling when I play single player game with my friends by alternating people who control the controller.
Prapat W.