Qik streaming video begins alpha, adds Windows Mobile support

Qik, a service that allows its users to stream video from their phones live on the site, has begun its invitation-only alpha period and extended the list of supported devices to include select Windows Mobile handsets.

The idea behind Qik is familiar: to give the user a platform upon which to broadcast and archive footage captured on his mobile device. The concept is being attempted by several competitors.

However, to ensure Qik's streaming service has interesting exclusive content, it has already enlisted the help of several notable persons: a US Congressman, a Variety Magazine Correspondent, an XM Radio DJ, and more.

For example, the host of XM Radio's HockeyBuzz caught footage of Detroit Red Wings star Dallas Drake and his family on the ice after winning the Stanley Cup.

Of course, broadcasting this sort of candid footage raises a host of fair use questions, and conveniently, Qik's terms of service are currently unavailable.

Live streams are automatically recorded on the site and can be broadcast directly to a Twitter account. Support for more third-party sites will reportedly be added in the near future.

To send a request for an invitation, an interested party actually has to enter his mobile number on Qik.com. The site responds by sending an SMS containing a link to verify the request. Someone, or something, should respond if the request has been approved.

Supported handsets include: Motorola Q, Samsung Blackjack, and several series of Nokia S60 phones: N71, N73, N75, N76, N77, N80, N82, N91, N92, N93i, N95, E50, E51, E61i, E65, E70m E90 Communicator, 3250, 5500, 5700 Xpress Music, 6110 Navigator, 6120 Classic, 6121 Classic, and 6290.

The service is free and will continue to be, but streaming consumes "a considerable amount" of bandwidth, so an unlimited data plan is advised by the Qik team.