When word surfaced this week that Periscope has been secretly working on an Apple TV app, it was pointed out that Twitter’s live broadcasting service only supports portrait video capture while TV sets of course are landscape. It appears Periscope already had plans in motion to change that, though, as the latest version of the app released today adds support for streaming in landscape orientation.
Aside from setting the stage for the future app on the new Apple TV announced yesterday (Periscope hasn’t demoed the app, but it’s icon appears in an Apple TV human interface guidelines graphic and was seen on stage), the update creates a better viewing experience for Periscope users. It handles displaying video much better now regardless of how the broadcaster is holding their phone. Landscape streaming doesn’t require viewers to hold their phone in that way, either, and it’s a much better fit for web viewing as well.
Periscope also points out new accessibility enhancements for visually impaired users which has been a popular request. Check out the latest release notes below:
What’s New in Version 1.2
[+] Landscape: When a broadcaster holds their phone in landscape, the video will now be oriented properly for all viewers. Viewers can continue holding their device in portrait, or match the broadcaster’s orientation to maintain full screen video. Either way, you’ll never need to watch sideways video again!
[+] Share Indication: When someone you follow shares a broadcast, it appears in your home feed. In this update, we’ve added an indicator beneath the broadcast title explaining who shared it with you.
[+] Share on Facebook: You can now share the link to a LIVE broadcast or replay on Facebook. To see this option, you’ll need to log in to Facebook from the iOS Settings app on your device.
[+] Accessibility: We’ve heard from a lot of people that Periscope needs to be more accessible. In this version we’ve made large steps toward fully supporting our VoiceOver users.Other changes:
[+] If you turn off chat/hearts while watching a live broadcast, you can now simply tap the “Chat Hidden” label to turn them back on.
[+] Fixed a bug where people who signed up with their phone number couldn’t change their profile image.
[+] Made some optimizations that should reduce the amount of space Periscope takes up on your device.
Periscope for iPhone is available for free on the App Store.
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As I expected, TRICKERY!
This doesn’t resolve the issue. It is a hack where the app is watching for rotation algorithmically and then rotates the broadcast. The original is still in vertical orientation, regardless. The issue is with Apple and the capture API. Why is everyone afraid of pointing the finger where it needs to be pointed?? (iOS should NOT be capturing video from the sensor in 9:16 aspect ratio, regardless of device orientation.)
Don’t understand the stupidity of people shooting video in portrait orientation myself either. And the fact that companies who create apps like this one oversee such a flaw tells me everything I need to know; their total morons. Without a QA dept, without doing any testing of their own.
Portrait video. For the dumb ones.
youtube.com /watch?v=Bt9zSfinwFA