Twitch APK

This is the Twitch app, and you're probably going to use it to replace cable.

Originally Justin.tv, Twitch is a streaming app that connects you with people who are online to entertain, collaborate, or just chill out.

What is Streaming?

Streaming these days means a live recording. You're doing something on a camera or on video that is happening in real-time, and there is usually a chatroom attached to make things interactive.

Specifically, streaming is a way of delivering live data from one place to another. Non-streaming data goes from one place to another and is verified. Verification takes time, while a streaming broadcast needs to show up as soon as possible.

The data isn't verified in its entirely--though some validation happens before it is sent--and is instead just tossed straight to your computer. The real technology isn't tossing out the data, but in the way data is prepared and likely to be accurate, therefore not needing accurate checking in the first place.

But outside of the technical explanation, it's live video.

What kind of streaming video are out there?

On Twitch, anyone can do anything they want as long as it follows terms of service. The platform is mostly game-centered, but there are other multimedia interests such as animation, music, art, and even streams about stream content creation.

Anyone can make a Twitch account, so the real question is what ISN'T on Twitch? Again, within terms of service. You can find people playing the games you like or doing some kind of activity you're into, but you'll soon start searching for people with personalities you like more than the activities.

In a way, it's like a world of talk shows or live TV, but with an easier way to interact with the host. Streamers with big and small audiences are out there, and they can manage their communities any way they want.

In 2016, a trend called vtubing or virtual Youtubing began, where people were able to mimic the their facial features on an animated figure. It's like a puppet show, but with an animated model as the puppet.

As of 2021, there are ways to mimic the entire body for streaming, and although the Vtuber label is based on Youtube, the name is still sticking around for now.

Although many Vtubers such as the Hololive and VShoujo groups have a mostly Japanese anime influence, streamers such as MechEnzy of the Wrecking Crew offer a drastically different approach.

Along with people who stream with their real life faces or people with virtual representations, streaming with no representation at all is also valid. Some people stream just the game, and either talk via microphone or use the chat themselves. Multiple popular mute or non-speaking streamers exist.

While popularity and profit are certainly major topics, Twitch isn't just for growing celebrities. Some people use Twitch just to stream for themselves or close friends.

Want to show off some gameplay with friends? Want to record your own videos? Want to slowly ease yourself into growing a social game community, but not yet ready to act like a professional entertainer? It's all valid.

So whether you're arguing about pineapple on pizza and Grandia II being a superior game with a demonic robot-like toon, or admiring the assets of a real or virtual person, Twitch is great.

YouTube may have started it and Twitch may have some shortcoming when it comes to proper pay or security, but it works better than a lot of alternatives.