What comes to mind when you think of a meerkat? Perhaps you envision a furry rat-like animal native to the African savannah?
Well the Meerkat app, with its fitting name, allows subscribers to view live streaming of videos through a link posted on one’s Twitter accounts. Meerkat at SXSW 2015 has allowed everyone from tech fans to celebrities to fall in love with its simplicity and fun.
Is Meerkat at SXSW 2015 a success?
Well first off, it is one of Apple App Store’s “Best New Apps.” The app works much like meerkats who are aware of their surroundings. By simply alerting subscribers on Twitter with a link to the live streaming, people can view an event from their devices live. In a two-step process, and following Meerkat’s “Rules”, the app never streams video reruns.
CNN reports that more than 200,000 people logged on to watch one of the 15,000 live video streams, or “Meerkats”, and earlier this week over 40,000 new users have joined the app.
Even with Twitter causing some drama, by pulling out of Meerkat’s app earlier last week, Meerkat has managed to adapt change and succeed in being the most talked about app from SXSW.
So What Does This Mean For the Future of Social Media?
With notable Meerkat users such as Jimmy Fallon, Snoop Dogg, and even Youtube make-up star Michelle Phan paving the way–live streamed videos to fans creates a unique, personal platform that surpasses current social offerings.
Overall, Meerkat at SXSW is one for the books–with it’s strong following, tension with Twitter, paired with its simple user interface– it will surely become the next big thing since, well– Snapchat.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellenhanda
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