It’s hard to imagine that you couldn’t watch anything of substance with someone else a few years ago. But, then, you were limited to viewing any given piece of content with just one other person at a time, or even worse, having two other people do so on two different devices simultaneously. Enter online video streaming and viewing, which has opened up an entirely new world of possibilities that used to be simply impossible.
For the most part, streaming video was nothing more than a means to an end, something that was necessary to enjoy content on your own time without having to go out for the movie (any movie) you’ve been dying to see. However, people who had Internet access at homemade watching videos together much more accessible and convenient. You may not get together with your friends physically, but there are plenty of ways to connect virtually. If you consider soap2day here, you can get the stuff you choose for watching or streaming. Here are the best sites and apps for watching videos on your own or with a group of friends.
- Vimeo –
Vimeo is a great place to watch independent films and short clips, but its better-known competitor YouTube is also one of the best sites for watching videos together. YouTube has a lot of features that allow viewers to interact in real-time, live chat, comment posting, and video responses. For example, if you have a Vimeo account, you can connect through the live chat and comment on videos as they play. Viewers can also post video responses and chat with other users.
- Google+ Hangouts –
Google+ has a built-in Hangout feature that enables you to do just about everything listed above, except for live chat and video responses. It’s also an excellent place for long-form videos, like lectures or TED Talks. You can also upload your videos using the “Upload from Android” or “Upload from iOS” features from the Google+ website. The app is available on both Android and iOS devices.
- Twitch –
Twitch is a website and iOS app that lets gamers connect and live-stream their games. It was created for broadcasting and viewing competitive video gaming, or eSports, but soon expanded to include anyone who wanted to live-stream their play sessions on their Xbox, PlayStation, and PC games. Twitch users can also connect in real-time through the built-in chat feature.
- Live.me –
Live.me is an app for watching videos together that launched in 2013, and it has proven to be a success. The Live.me app is available on both Android and iOS devices, and it works much like the Google+ Hangout’s option. Live.me users can also chat and add video responses, but video responses are limited to 10 seconds, whereas Hangouts lets you watch videos with friends for as long as you want.
- Drop.io –
Drop.io is a new service that launched in 2014 and aims to replace the default face-to-face calls and text messages that people have come to rely on for phone conversations or text messaging. Instead, users connect in real-time using their webcam, allowing people to create and view videos together.
- Checkout –
Checkout is an online shopping service that integrates with popular mobile apps like Amazon, Google Play, and the Apple App Store. While it’s not always a good idea to shop on your phone or tablet, it’s also not always a bad idea. The checkout app lets you easily compare prices from multiple retailers to find the best prices on the products you want. With checkout, you’ll be able to see product pricing, reviews, and user comments all in one place without ever leaving the retail app.
- Circle –
The Circle is a messaging app that allows users to share their location with their contacts. Because it’s a separate service from the messaging app itself (iMessage), Circle allows you to send video messages and voice messages to anyone who has installed the Circle app.
In a virtual world, it’s much easier to have a party than to drive over to your friend’s house. Whether you’re looking for games that allow you to connect virtually or video services that let you watch together, these are the best sites and apps for watching videos together online.
