Remember when a phone was just a phone? Yeah, we don't either. Our "phones" are search engines, GPS navigation devices and even streaming video cameras capable of documenting our entire lives in real time. 

Take that Hollywood.

Want to get started with the mobile video craze? No problem we've got everything you need to know about streaming video from your mobile phone.

== Prerequisites ==

Obviously you mobile needs to have a built-in video camera. It'll also help if you have a reasonably large memory card since any locally stored video will take up considerable room.

The next requirement is some sort of video streaming software. There are a number of possibilities, but two of the most popular are [http://qik.com/ Qik] and [http://www.livecast.com/corporate/index.html LiveCast], both of which work on just about every mobile OS out there.

Qik, LiveCast and others of their ilk can handle recording video, uploading it to the web and, in some cases, can even post your live streams on to video hosting sites like YouTube or alert your Twitter fans when you've got some new video to share.

Download a copy of the video streaming software of your choice and let's get started.

== Shooting mobile video ==

The software and hardware combination of mobile video stream has roughly the same quality as your average web cam -- you aren't going to get gorgeous, sweeping Terrence Malick-style panoramas -- but that doesn't mean you can't get reasonable quality footage if you follow our tips.

=== Embrace the limitations ===

The quality isn't cinematic, but mobile video has a distinct advantage over high budget cameras -- it's almost always in your pocket. The always-at-hand advantage also lends itself it documentary style shooting, don't worry if the lighting isn't perfect, just point and shoot, er, stream.

=== Steady Cam === 

Streaming mobile video has a tendency to shake, bounce and weave more than drunk clown pogo sticking his way through a reenactment of the Blair Witch project. If you're fortunate enough to have the steady hands of surgeon then by all means, free-hand it, otherwise, prop your phone against something supportive (depending on the shape of your phone, a styrofoam cup turned upside down and sliced to accommodate your phone can serve as a cheap, lightweight tripod).

=== Watch your batteries ===

There's really no way around it, streaming video will wear down your batteries. If you're serious about video consider investing in a second battery so you can still make calls at the end of the day.

== Conclusion == 

It's never going to get you an audition, but when something is as fun as streaming live video, who care about the technical limitations. A few blurry pixels never hurt the web.