Canon’s new app lets you live stream from several non-Canon cameras.

Canon has announced a new live streaming app that lets you wirelessly connect to and switch video feeds from three mobile devices. Currently limited to iPhones and iPads running iOS and iPad0S 16 or later. Android is not supported, but an even stranger omission is that Live Switcher Mobile is not compatible with Canon’s digital cameras. According to the FAQ, it’s the future.

The app is available to download now and is free to use, but there are some limitations. Video quality maxes out at 720p, the output is watermarked, and the app interface is sometimes full of ads, which are not visible to viewers. For $17.99 per month ($215+ per year), output quality improves to 1080p and removes ads and watermarks. There is no option to increase video resolution beyond HD.

One device running the app is designated as the host, providing the switching interface and acting as the primary camera. You can connect up to two additional devices to provide a video feed from a different angle or a live screen capture of the video game you are playing.

Switching between feeds can be done manually, but to avoid poking the device that acts as one of the cameras, you can also set the app to automatically switch between sources at set intervals of 8 to 20 seconds. You can stream multiple videos simultaneously using picture-in-picture effects, and you can add text and image overlays to personalize your live stream, add branding, or provide captions.

Canon says the app supports live streaming to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms that support RTMP, but the comment display feature is limited to the first two platforms.

Although it’s not as feature-rich as the free OBS Studio app, which lets you use your mobile device as a video source, Canon’s Live Switcher Mobile could potentially be an easier alternative for aspiring influencers just getting started with live streaming.

It may be limited to mobile devices for now, but the company has confirmed that the app “will support connecting digital cameras from Canon in the future.” The added features and improved 4K streaming capabilities make the higher price tag easier to justify for those looking for a highly portable streaming solution.