Most of you iPhone users who also happen to participate in Brightkite (review here) likely heard the news that the iPhone version of Brightkite is now available.

Currently, the app is in it’s alpha stages, missing a few features such as friendship management, but for the most part all other features attached to Brightkite main page are available via the mobile version.  So when you get a chance, pick up that iPhone and surf over to http://i.brightkite.com and check it out.  Once you’ve done that, make sure to post your thoughts and any bugs on their support page.

Source from: Brightkite’s Blog

Move over Twitter and Pownce, Brightkite is now on the scene.

Brightkite is the latest in social networking websites which have sprouted all over the Internet. This one offers a bit of a twist. Not only can you post messages and pictures via SMS, e-mail, or even its own web interface, but it also allows broadcasting your exact location to those around you. This could include friends, or the entire Brightkite universe.

With location-based networking, this allows for easier access to others who live, work, or play around the area. With the help of its “check-in” feature, you can be notified when someone is around however you would like via e-mail, or SMS. With this comes a few safety features. The privacy option allows you to limit to how much of your location is posted to certain people. You can decide to broadcast your exact address to the universe (although we’d never recommend it), versus broadcasting to your friends only. For those of us who have locations we visit often, there’s the “placemark” setting which you can use in place of retyping the same location over and over again. This is especially useful when checking in via SMS.

In terms of sending pictures, currently e-mail is the only option available. You are given a unique e-mail address, bound to your account, which allows for pictures to be posted on the timeline. Just like when sending SMS it correlates with the last place you checked in, and you can even attach a short note or caption via the subject line.

Brightkite also includes integration with Twitter. Currently, it’s the only option to search for those on your follow list to see if they too are on Brightkite. Also, each time you check in to a new location, Brightkite sends a message using your Twitter account announcing that location. Of course, this is all optional, but worth it if you’d like to keep those following you in the know.

Currently Brightkite is in beta, but invites have been passed around all over the community. Upcoming features in Brightkite include extended access in Twitter, as well as a Brightkite iPhone application.  In addition there’s the ability to enter your e-mail address on the site itself and pray for an invite. Most people have been successful with receiving one, but there’s always an odd man out.

You can check out Brightkite over at www.brightkite.com.  They also have a blog located at http://blog.brightkite.com

See you there.

In the age of live broadcasting, websites hoping to attract new “streamers” are emerging at an alarming rate. Lifecasters wanting to find the best site to publish their daily activities look for a few main components: accessibility to viewers, an easy-to-use interface, and design capabilities. Once you filter through these options, three main websites prove to set the example.

Some prefer Justin.tv (aka JTV), founded in late 2006 and includes such features as automatic archiving of all your shows, an optional standalone broadcast agent for Macs, and a convenient bandwidth check so that you’re able to stream at the best quality possible.

Another choice is Ustream.tv that came out in early 2007. With Ustream you have features like Cohost, that allow you to do PIP with another live streamer so others can see you two (or three!) communicate, “create a poll” and also, if you decided to record a show, you have the ability to save it to your computer as a flv, wmv, mp4, or mov file.

The last popular website is called Stickam, which was created in 2004. A favorite tool of those on Stickam is the multiple video chat option that allows you to see and hear up to 6 other users in the chat. Another nice feature is the Audio and Video Mixer that allows you to broadcast any uploaded media while you’re streaming without having to download any other software (such as CamTwist or WebcamMax)

Each of these platforms have their positive and negative aspects, yet all of them include such options as manual recording of shows and sending notifications out to friends through other programs such as Twitter, AIM, and Myspace. Although Stickam remains popular in the broadcasting community, Justin and Ustream remain the most comparable. While Justin is said to have more of the look and feel of a community, it is also known to be quite “laggy”. Then again you have Ustream that has much less lag, yet supposedly uses more CPU when viewing streams.

Possibilities are endless if you choose to use all three sites, though many broadcasters like to incorporate their shows with one main page. When deciding upon your final choice, it all comes down to what kind of audience you are hoping to reach, what the topic of your shows are, and are you planning on displaying yourself as a professional… or are you just somebody wanting to make new friends? Your best bet is to try each of these sites out and make the decision for yourself

(By Somewhat Frank)

Social media is shaping and changing early adaptor’s lives; at least mine, for that matter. Watching the evolution of life casting has changed the way that I see humanity’s future interactions with social media. Emotional needs are being met as new technologies come into play. Mobile technologies increase our diversification and social events shape our individuality to society in the past and today so that the world may know. Our culture has changed in the past due to new technologies and is bound to be impacted in the future with increased mobility, events and celebrations, emotional needs being met, and increased diversification.

If content continues to diversify then roles will most likely play out in an international community where geographic location and differentiation is of no barrier to community development and emotional needs are met through screen based activity. The Internet is an institution, where relationships are accepted as a fundamental part of culture, that will change quickly to enable international community and a culture boom. The tools are going to tell if we will boom or bust and Liz Gannes from New Tee Vee comments on some interesting web tools that may make media more social.

The space where we share our lolz, LOL, rotfl, icons, and emotions is in the text box tool where half the fun is in the watching experience. An interesting issue was raised earlier this evening when I noticed emotions being expressed and needs being fulfilled through the interaction in the chat on Justin.TV/Dealer where one of the chatters was also a Justin.tv life caster. Cally, who is often in my chat, brought up an interesting topic for discussion. Is there is a difference in importance or value between the life caster and the commenter? This question has brought on much thought. What is the value of the commenter and the life caster? I must look at the other life casters I know to be able to answer that question.

Some, like me, were able to meet Justin for the first time in person and others met him over a chat or email. Others met him through staring at their laptops for hours on end or even more. Justin.tv/Justopia_live is a fine example of someone who emerged as a voice on Justin.tv. She started off as commenter and blogger providing information anout the site and building a community within Justin.tv. She also records pod casts and posts them on her blog that is right here on Wordpress. There was also a Justin.tv intern that found Justin on the chat and volunteered his summer to an internship. He started life casting on Justin.tv for a brief moment in Shooby.

(By Scott Beal at the Laughing Squid)

Some people are turned on to life casting, but who can do it forever? I had a lunch with Justine Ezarik this week on a day she had not brought her camera, but had been on camera at FOX with Justin earlier that day. She says that she won’t be able to do this forever. It’s a great opportunity to be trying something new for the first time, but it does not always last long. There are several formats to life casting and only a few work for all.

(By Scott Beal at the Laughing Squid)

Justin Kan told me that he never wanted to be a celebrity and never thought that he would end up wearing a live web cam, but he has been going strong non-stop since he started. Justin often gets random people and fans asking him why he does it. He says it like having a bunch of friends around you all the time. “Why be alone by your self when you can be with a bunch of friends?”

There is one life caster who was one of the first life casters from back in the days of Jenni Cam. Her name is Lisa B. She is truly one of the first live video streamers. She has many cameras both in New York and Japan where she goes 24/7 with her life. She is the most natural life caster I have seen.

Emotional needs are being met because of new social web tools. Life casters or commenter’s share their experiences and are building communities and culture. It’s laughing with someone that makes the whole experience that much better.

**Reposted with permission from:
**http://sarahmeyers.wordpress.com/