
It’s hard being an expat sometimes. Half my family is in England, and the American half are spread out all over the country; some even moved to Australia. The advent of the Internet has made it easier to feel connected in real-time; instead of waiting for letters to arrive in the mail and getting a Christmas card portrait once a year, I can log on to Facebook and see the daily milestones and news happening in my branches of family all over the world – and that’s comforting!

As technology continues to evolve, the distance between my loved ones is bridged little by little. Although static photos and updates are great, it’s not the same as being there. So I’m excited about Livelens, a new app for iOS and Android that allows you to stream videos to Facebook in real time. This means that instead of just snapping a photo with your phone, you can actually share what you’re doing live – so relatives on the other side of the planet can watch graduations, weddings, children’s birthday parties, and other family events right on Facebook. You can announce your event in advance, so people can mark their calendars to watch; and if the time zone makes it difficult for them to “Tune in”, never worry: Livelens automatically saves an archive of the video in “The cloud” which can be played later.

There is no limit on how long your video can be, so this is perfect for sharing family reunions, baby showers, or other gatherings that are hard to sum up in a 2 minute clip. And on the professional side, you can also opt to put a price on your videos – say, if you want to stream your band’s concert or share a blogging seminar. As your video streams, you’ll be able to see who is watching as well as receive comments and likes. This helps to make the experience truly interactive and bridge the gap that distance creates!
For more on Livelens, along with a bonus entry code for our giveaway worth 10 extra points daily, click here to to watch my special video message! Note: Users must download the Livelens app to view this video. Once you have downloaded the app, you will need to search for “MomStart” in order to pull the video up and finish watching.
Livelens is a totally free app available for iOS 5.0 and up on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch; you can download the app on iTunes here. Android users (2.3 and up) can get Livelens from the Google Play store by clicking here.
Enter to Win:
One MomStart reader will win $50 cash! And because so many of you have family all over the world just like me, this giveaway is open to worldwide entrants! Prize will be remitted in USD via PayPal (PayPal fees not included).
To Enter:
Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Giveaway ends on June 8th, 2014 at 11:00 PM PST – click here to read our giveaway rules.
I’d use this for family vacations
Vacations, Holidays and Birthdays
I agree with cheryli, family vacays and thanks for the chance.
I’d love to check out Livelens (and get more entries) but it is rather suspect. First iTunes warns that this app asks for purchases within, then it will not even let you download this “free” app till you update your account with a credit card.
I can understand why it might want that to be an option available to you, but to forbid you from even having the app without a credit card screams scam. In fact, any place, program, or app that even suggests payment for watching a video is almost certainly some sort of sham.
(I really do hope you are able to make some money from adding videos to it, but it is too shady for me.)
Dear Jim
You are able to download LiveLens app for free using a valid Apple account that doesn’t have a payment method.
I have made multiple tests regarding this issue and was not able to find any problem.
If this issue still occur, please email me to gili@livelens.com. Please indicating the device you are using and the IOS version.
Hopes this helps.
Regards,
Gil Klar
QA and Support
LiveLens.com
Gili@livelens.com
Hi Jim;
please note that the app does NOT require any credit card before downloading…just your Facebook signup to log in. Thats it.
Please try it again…
Holidays and birthdays and any other special events such as weddings.
i would share family reunions
I would share family vacations and birthdays/holidays.
I would share get togethers and family occasions this summer.
It would be nice to use this for birthday celebrations.
Vacations for sure, and then of course some videos of my cats being ridiculous. My family members want pets but can’t have them, so they always enjoy their antics.
The family going out to dinner together.
Family moments with my silly dog!
I would share the movies my daughter films.
We’re moving soon and that’s a milestone that would be good to document!
I would use to for vacations, holidays, special events. Since my sister lives in Texas and all the rest of the family lives here with me, documenting and sharing our lives is important.
I would love to stay in touch with family by sharing big events.
I would share BBQs.
vacations and birthday celebrations
I have tried several times to download live lens and unable to get it to work.
I would share the birth of our first grandchild!
I would share family reunions, vacations, graduations and sporting events!
The moment I’d always like to share with Livelens (and others) is when I had to go to my parents’ divorce court and the judge asked me whose custody I’d want to be in. That has been so far the most difficult decision in my life. I’d want everyone to know the pain of that moment so that they would not ever cause it to their children and wish not any child would have to go through such a process.
i want to shared trip with my love 🙂
It would be nice to use this for birthday celebrations. and holidays
Birthdays and Vacations 🙂
i great giveaway. you site is awesome.
Family reunions, birthdays and vacations! 🙂
It would d be wonderful for special family occasioins
my daughter’s milestones 🙂 and special occasions
birthdays and graduations
Dance videos of the little ones! They’re great fun. 🙂
thanks for chance!
I think at summer! 🙂
I would share parts of our wedding.
I would use it to share videos of my brothers playing with our pets.
Definitely family vacations!!
Birthdays, graduations, anniversaries– any family moments 🙂
I would share family events and parties!
My son is a senior this year, so lots of moments to catch!
All moments with my family, they are growing up too fast.
WOULD USE ON FAMILY DINNER TOGETHER 🙂 THANK YOU
I would use Livelens for recording family get togethers, Holiday Celebrations and vacations!
I would share family vacations.
I’m not big on sharing videos so I don’t know that I’d use this.
I would certainly use the $50 PayPal.
Thanks for the contest.
Birthdays, holidays, and everyday good times with family and friends.
I would share vacation videos.