Tumblr is the latest social network to launch live video (sort of)

Tumblr today announced that they’re venturing into live video. By now we have no shortage of options, of course, so why in heaven’s name do we need Tumblr? Well, they’re not reinventing the wheel. In fact, they’re recycling enough to make green thumbs everywhere proud.

Tumblr is allowing users to connect their YouTube, YouNow, Kanvas, and Upclose accounts. When you go live on those platforms you can choose to broadcast your video onto your platform to however many followers you have. Those followers can get a notification when you go live if they want, too. Here’s a full rundown of your capabilities, courtesy of Tumblr:

• You can post live videos through YouNow (iOS, Android), Kanvas (iOS, Android), Upclose(iOS, Android) and YouTube (Android-ready right now, iOS-ready in a few days). How? Here’s how.
• They can be reblogged like any other post. Which is wild.
• They stick around after you shoot them, and can thus be enjoyed in the future as well as the present.
• We’ll notify you when anyone you follow goes live. And we’ll pin their video to the top of your dashboard. Wouldn’t want you to miss anything, after all.

Tumblr plans to be the first account to use this functionality, of course, as they’ll be looking to host an exciting stream of their own. Here’s what they’ll be up to:

• 4:00 p.m. Opening remarks
• 4:10 p.m. We will make @thingsorganizedneatly organize things neatly
• 4:15 p.m. You will Answer Time live with @adamjk
• 4:30 p.m. We will inflate a very big thing in a very small room
• 4:45 p.m. A Harlem Globetrotter will teach you how to basketball
• 5:00 p.m. You will learn the metaphysical truth about your Tumblr
• 5:30 p.m. Closing remarks

Sounds like fun. After it all ends, it won’t be long for you to be able to host your own fun as Tumblr says you should see the functionality go live by the end of the day.

[via Tumblr]