If you ever thought that Facebook Live was boring because only one person could broadcast at a time, think again. If you want to go live with another person, now you can – they don’t even have to be in the same country as you. Because Facebook is now allowing everyone (not just public figures) to add a friend to collaborate on a live broadcast.
Live streaming with two people – aka “Live With” was first rolled out to public figures, but is now available to all users (and Pages) on iOS. Live With works in portrait and landscape – in portrait the second broadcaster appears in picture-in-picture mode, while in a landscape both broadcasters get equal real estate on the screen. Facebook explained the straightforward process of starting a broadcast with a friend.
“To invite a friend to join you in your live video, simply select a guest from the Live Viewers section, or tap a comment from the viewer you want to invite. Your viewer can then choose whether or not to join your broadcast.”
With this rollout, users will also get a new feature called “Live Chat with Friends,” which allows Live broadcasters to start direct messaging with a friend during a broadcast, to keep a private chat session with them. In a recent newsroom post, Facebook explains,
Live Chat With Friends lets you invite friends to a private chat about a public live broadcast. You can invite friends who are already watching or other friends who you think may want to tune in. You’re able to jump back into the public conversation at any time, and you can still continue chatting with your friends via Messenger after the broadcast ends.
Live Chat with Friends is being tested on mobile in several countries for now but will be made available more widely in the summer. Facebook says that both features are “ways to make Live more fun, social and interactive,” mentioning among others, its new Live interactive effects announced in April.
Read More: Facebook Start Video Monetization