Tumblr adds live video broadcasts; new feature to debut by the end of the day

By the end of today, Tumblr will be joining such popular social media names like Twitter and Facebook by adding a new feature that allows members to stream live broadcasts. Because Tumblr itself doesn't offer live streaming capabilities, it will carry live feeds from certain third party sites like YouTube, YouNow, Kanvas and UpClose. Tumblr is apparently in talks with other third party apps as well.

To make this work, you will need to open an account with one of the third party apps listed above. Make sure you give permission for the app to access your camera and microphone; otherwise your live videos will have no picture and no sound, and will be no good. Turn on Tumblr sharing and click on "Allow." You can use multiple sites, and Tumblr cautions that each one is different.

If someone you follow is sending out a live stream, it will appear on the top of your dashboard. If one of your followers misses one of your live broadcasts, the good news is that they are automatically archived on Tumblr and can be viewed at a later date.

To celebrate the new feature, Tumblr has scheduled some live events that will be available for subscribers to see. This 'programming' begins at 4pm ET with remarks "from the surface of Mars." To view the events, click on the sourcelink.

In an effort to be younger, hipper and cooler, Yahoo purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion back in May, 2013. The purchase didn't help Yahoo at all and the company is now in the process of auctioning off its internet assets.

source: Tumblr via Engadget