The Qik video streaming application for the Blackberry Curve
Earlier this week, Qik, a Redwood City, Calif.-based startup, released its mobile video live streaming service for Blackberry devices, including the Curve and Pearl models.
I’ve tried it on my Blackberry Curve 8320 over the T-Mobile GSM/EDGE network with mixed feelings.
Installation of the application on the device was a breeze. Using it too. Just press on the red record button, perhaps add a title, description and tags for the video, and off I was taking video of my son Yves.
However the video quality of the Blackberry Curve is quite poor, compared to the better equipped Nokia N95. The videos also didn’t appear “live” on the Qik site until I refresh the page. Although, I don’t expect anyone to sit down in front of their computer and watch these poor taken and poor quality video clips, it does take the “live” experience from “live streaming”. I’ll soon include a link to some of my videos so you can see for yourself.
Qik without WiFi is un-stable
Using Qik over the GSM/EDGE cellular network is totally another story. First, I had to configure my TCP/networking settings on the phone for which Qik provides clear instructions on its blog here. But in this cellular-only mode, Qik’s software was very un-stable, crashing my phone several times and/or the application itself.
I realised, that after shooting a video, I should wait until it’s completed uploaded before starting another one. And that could take awhile on T-Mobile’s 2.5G cellular network.
So if you’re out of range of a WiFi network, you’re better off taking the video, saving it on the device or the memory card and upload it later.
I know it defies the notion of using Qik altogether. But the software is still an early “alpha” version so I hope that’ll improve over time. I’ve tried Qik’s competitor, Next2Friends but could not even get the videos on their site, inspite of using a WiFi connection.
So for me, Qik’s solution is still the only I could use with my Blackberry Curve. Comments?
I have the same issues with QIK- very frustrating! Tried the Next2Friends app on both my Curve and N95 and my sister’s Pearl- N95 was great, BB was OK ( poor camera- not the app) app was easy to use and video appear on the site fine as well as my family home page (use their video widget)