What's the next big thing for Social Media in Malaysia 2015? Periscope!

As we know, social medias have been constantly evolving to meet the users demand, keeping us closer to our friends through our mobile phones, laptop and Pcs. In 2012, social networking has became existent to the mainstream market while technology continues to improve, yes we are talking about Frienster and then we see Linkedlin, a social media for professional identify and there is Myspace where is now cater more to the music niche. Next thing we know, Facebook and twitter are dominating the social media space. With more and more people owning smartphones and then we see Instagram that make things so much easier by just uploading photos with the current advancement of our phones camera. The question here is, what's next? If I could bet my money on this, let me introduce you. Periscope!

So what is Periscope?

Before I start introducing this mobile app, let me tell you one fact that is just mind blowing. This app hit 1 million users in its first 10 days. Which is insane isn't it? Before we know, Malaysians will be killing to use this app because of how addictive it is! Periscope is a live broadcasting app from Twitter. Also means that this would kill reporters job (just joking) because now anyone can be a reporter by just live streaming with the phone wherever they go in real-time for anyone to watch! People do anything with this app, from recording themselves eating, walking back home at night, brushing your teeth, you named it. And the funny part is there are people actually watching you do that! You can also do an instant Q & A with the person and they reply you through the live stream. I won't be surprise more and more people would soon pledge to Periscope and start broadcasting every moment of their life. Just imagine the endless possibilities that this little app can do, from giving live streaming of what is happening at the current situation way faster then newspaper, the news or even Facebook update. From celebrities branding themselves and constantly stay updated with their fans through their smartphone!

However, Periscope was not the first that enter the live streaming broadcast app. Meerkat was founded in 2012 is also a live streaming video app that recently raised $14m in funding from Silicon Valley venture capitalists. While Periscope the other side launched a little over a year ago, recently was purchased by Twitter for $100m, it was known as "the closest thing to teleportation till date" The similarities between them is that they allow viewers to comment on the video while watching and link to the users twitter account. The main differences are Meerkat allows to schedule broadcasts for later date while Periscope at the other hand list down everyone you following on twitter under its People tab and also a "Most Loved List" based on how many users that sent the most hearts during their live streams. Despite that, Periscope saves your broadcasts for 24 hours while Meerkat allows their users to have the option to save streams on their phones.

Let's just imagine this in Malaysia, political ramifications. A politician can start using Periscope on themselves when they are at work making the followers (potential voters) to feel more connected to the current issues. Voters might like it, finally the government is "transparent". Just assume every conversation and meeting is broadcast live as these politicians are accountable to every word, without doubt they are transparent. However I feel there is a tipping point to this app. Just imagine you have a huge base of followers following you, and you stream everyday. What would they perceive you if you are not Periscoping? Means you are not transparent, which means you could be hiding from them. What would happen to our society when this day actually come? Should government representatives use this app too and make us to be part of the decision making process? Should they go transparent?  If you are a fan of House of Cards, season 3 episode 3 talks about how there is certain thing is best not known to the public, because something that may look inhuman could had potentially save million of lives. Then there is the creepy side of Periscope, what happen when someone dies on Periscope? Nudity, sex and indecency? And can you stop someone from filming you? Privacy seem to be out of the picture.

The next question arises is whether Malaysia mobile connection would able to stream it right? Is our connectivity ready for this? How much data would it consume by streaming live outside of a wi-fi zone? That is something that need to be tested before we can come to any conclusion. What do you guys think it could impact our behavior just like how it changed since social media adoption? Maybe with the increasing users, we all realize that we're not so different after-all. We are similar in many ways, and maybe...we're all just human.

Check out a video of this dude on how Periscope works.

You can get the app in Android Play Store and App Store. Play around with it for a better idea and tell us what you think!

Updates : Mayweather vs Pacquaio fight was streamed by hundreds of users using Periscope causing loss to HBO and Showtime.

By Andrew Tai
April 30, 2015 | Seasonal