Social media giant Twitter announced Periscope Producer, a new application programming interface (API) meant to introduce new methods of sharing video broadcasts. Twitter’s Staff Software Engineer John Boiles explained that the new API was specifically designed for external hardware and third-party software as it will allow independent developers to create applications that can authorize Periscope accounts, control broadcasts, push broadcasts to Twitter, and configure streams.
The San Francisco-based social media giant already enlisted help from several beta partners that will help it find new applications for the Periscope Producer API. One of them is Livestream, a company whose new Mevo camera allows users to broadcast and edit live footage on Periscope and Twitter via an Internet connection, as well as pair multiple cameras with Livestream Studio for a more professional streaming environment with more robust editing features. Another partner that’s already making use of Twitter’s latest live video API is Telestream, the company that created Wirecast, a multiplatform broadcasting software with Periscope and Twitter support that boasts unique features like live transitions, switching, and animated titles. Other partners that will help Twitter promote the Periscope Producer API include Switchboard, Teradek, Grabyo, LiveU Solo, Giroptic iO 360, Make.tv, Brandlive, Vidpresso, NewTek, and Telescope. The social media company promised that its latest API will evolve over time as Twitter adds new features to it based on feedback and internal research.
Twitter is already planning a Periscope Producer closed beta and all interested developers can apply for it by following the source link below. The company previously showcased the capabilities of this solution in partnerships with Dior, PBS NewsHour, Bloomberg, and WildEarth, but with this announcement, it’s only a matter of time before Periscope Producer is available to a much larger number of developers. Rumors of Twitter working on a new live video API initially started circulating the industry last week, shortly after it came to light that Twitter is aiming to commit more resources to video content over the course of this year. The San Francisco-based company apparently sees video content as an efficient method of improving its user acquisition and engagement rates, so more similar, video-oriented initiatives will likely be introduced by Twitter in the near future.