TikTok is reportedly testing new features to improve the streaming experience. Reportedly, the ByteDance subsidiary is currently testing a Windows program called TikTok Live Studio.
As the name implies, the software allows TikTok creators to broadcast TikTok Live directly from their laptop.
Because it is a Windows program, TikTok Live Studio is not bundled into the regular TikTok application. Instead, creators must first download the TikTok Live Studio software to their desktop.
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Once downloaded, creators can log in using their TikTok account. Then, with this software, users can broadcast TikTok Live directly from their laptop.
Previously, TikTok creators were actually able to do TikTok Live on a laptop. However, they have to download live stream software from third parties like Streamlabs or OBS Studio, for example.
TikTok told TechCrunch that currently, the TikTok Live Studio program is only available on a limited basis to thousands of users in Western countries.
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In addition, TikTok also cannot confirm that the TikTok Live Studio software will actually be released to all TikTok creators.
On Twitter, a netizen with the handle @zachbussey shared several screenshots showing a number of features in the TikTok Live Studio software.
It's super basic in its current state.
Has both Landscape and Portrait Scenes.
Sources include Game Capture, Mobile Capture, Video Capture, Program Capture, and some text/images. No browser sources, or alerts.
Emojis are limited to the stock ones. pic.twitter.com/oOHwUbSdUF
— Zach Bussey 🇨🇦 (@zachbussey) December 15, 2021
From the screenshot, TikTok Live Studio is said to have just included some “standard” features. This is fairly reasonable because this software is still in the testing phase.
For example, there are portrait or landscape options as well as other video settings during live broadcasts. There is also a “Live Chat” feature that allows creators to communicate with their audience.
In Live Chat, there are “Live gifts”, “comments”, and “keyword filter” settings that can be adjusted according to the creator’s wishes.
Then, users can also view content from the creator’s computer, mobile phone, or game console while broadcasting TikTok Live on TikTok Live Studio.
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However, some TikTok Live features in the TikTok application are still absent in TikTok Live Studio. For example such as assigning moderators and scheduling live streaming sessions.
Although it is still in the testing phase and has not yet been released, the TikTok Live Studio software is said to be able to create new opportunities for TikTok to reach more desktop users.
Because, for content creators, streaming software for desktop has an important role, because smartphones are not designed to be able to connect to game consoles and streaming applications at the same time.
Thus, there is a chance that TikTok users can experience playing games while live streaming like on the Twitch platform, if this software is released to more users.