Tech Check

Broadcasting Live, From A Cell Phone

(CBS) Right now you probably use your cell phone primarily to make phone calls, maybe check email and take the occasional picture.  Get ready to add "broadcasting live" to your list of features.

A company called Qik has free downloadable software that lets you do just that. Before you get too excited, be warned that the service is extremely limited right now - it only works on Nokia handsets, Windows Mobile devices and soon, the iPhone.  Still, it's the technology here that's most exciting.

In TV news, liveshots are no big deal.  We've been doing them for years, using a complex system of microwave trucks, receivers and satellites.  That all goes out the window for a cell phone, unlimited data connection and streaming video.

Just fire up Qik on your cell, press a button and you're streaming live from anywhere you can get a data signal.  Viewers can tune in through the web, whether through Qik's site or another if your video is embedded there.  If you can't get a signal where you are, you can still record your segment and it will upload to the web when your phone is within a service area.

Video quality is mixed on Qik - After all, what do you expect from a cell phone camera!  Video looks about as good as your cell phone pictures, but moving and a bit choppier.  I wouldn't worry about that, though, because the service is free and it's only going to get better as the software, cameras and data networks improve.  Its only a matter of time before you'll be going "live" in HD.

Content on the site isn't as exciting, and much more raw than what you'd find on YouTube, but there's something really interesting about "tuning in" to someone's live world.  You can also instantly interact with them by chatting - your message is sent to their cell phone screen through Qik, and they can respond.

Just a warning before you Qik, though - live shots are a bit tougher than they look!

http://qik.com/

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