Product Updates

Today, we’re making it possible to join events on mobile browsers, an important step in making Altar events easy and seamless to join - no matter what device you're on! Plus, we now support HLS (.mp3u8) links from DaCast, ChurchStreaming.TV, and more!

Here's what's new:

2 FEATURES • 3 IMPROVEMENTS • 1 BUG FIX

• Join events on mobile browsers
• Support for HLS (.mp3u8) links from DaCast, ChurchStreaming.TV, and other providers!
• Video feeds will now auto-play if you started the event in the Lobby mode and then moved people into the Event after the countdown timer passed
• You can now invite other people to join the event with "Share Invitation" button on the iOS app
• Profile pictures from Facebook are shown correctly on mobile apps

P.S. Do you use iframe embed code to connect your video feed? Check out a better way to stream with HLS links from DaCast, ChurchStreaming.TV, and other providers!

After 5 months in beta, we're excited to share that Altar Live is now fully released. After months of hard work behind the scenes, we're thrilled to introduce you to our new design.

Here's what's new:

1 Announcement • 3 Features

• Intuitive new design for both watch parties and lobby
• Seamless and continuous live streaming
• Helpful new camera and permissions flow

P.S. Have you checked out the new apps? Download them today from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Spring is here and so are the long-awaited mobile apps! Online engagement should be delightful, that’s why we’ve designed frictionless and intuitive apps so your community can join your events on any device. Head to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store today to try them out for yourself.

Here's what's new:

MOBILE APPS ARE RELEASED

• Mobile apps now available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
• Engage with your community
• Take a seat with someone else
• Move between tables in the lobby
• Chat with other participants
• See who else is online

1 FEATURE • 2 IMPROVEMENTS • UPDATES TO MOBILE APPS (BETA)

This week we’re introducing a few big updates to our iOS and Android apps, which are currently in beta. (Want access? Send us a message and we'll send instructions.) We’re also making it easier to connect pre-recorded video to ensure synchronization.

• You can now switch between pre-recorded and live video input options.
• People who experience internet lag and then reconnect won't disappear from a table or watch party or from the member list
  
• Videos are now self-mirrored
• Mobile apps have now been released to beta

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5 IMPROVEMENTS

With Altar Live, setting up and running events should be simple and straightforward, and editing should always be effortless. This week, we're introducing more improvements to recurring events, and much more!

• Custom text is shown after you specify recurrence
• Recurring events cannot be edited to be non-recurring once they are created
• Design improvements to Altar on Safari browsers
• 'Connected interrupted' message shows consistently for other users when user loses internet connection
• Profile pictures will display as updated everywhere on the platform when user changes it

Have you tried setting up recurring events yet? Learn more about how to create recurring events with static links.

3 IMPROVEMENTS

Each week, we aim to make Altar more intuitive, more stable, and more delightful. With this week's update, we did a lot of work behind the scenes. On your end, you will see improvements!

• Event countdown is consistently centered
• Live stream video height is proportional on big screens
• Ability to take see pew view even if you have not granted camera/mic permissions

Plus, check out our support guides for resolving common issues on Altar.

‍2 FEATURES • 1 IMPROVEMENT

It's finally here: recurring events and static URLs! If you want to use the same URL for a certain type of event (i.e. weekly Sunday service, morning Bible study, etc), you will want to create a recurring event series. Plus, we've also changed the links on events so they are shareable on Facebook. Keep reading for more long-awaited updates!

• Recurring events have static URLs so you can use the same event link week after week
• Links are now shareable on Facebook
• Greeters aren't automatically moved into a new chat message with people who join the event

5 Improvements

This was a big week for optimization across the Altar Live platform. We worked on reducing data consumption needs, server distribution, and client processing power. In everyday English, this means you will see more stability in both chat and video conferencing. Read on for more specifics on what we did to the backend!

• Improved client processing power, reduced data consumption needs, and increased global communication servers coverage
• No length limit to General Chat messages
• General Chat optimization for larger groups
• Facebook profile pictures no longer shown as broken
• Ongoing event label will show on event card again

2 Features • 2 Improvements

Some weeks we don't have as many updates to share because we are busy working on our next big releases behind the scenes. While this is a lighter week of updates, we did make some improvements to the flow of events in Altar Live.​

• Banner countdown when Host moves everyone from Event to Lobby
• General chat is now enabled 60 minutes before the event begins
• No longer required to add a profile picture when creating an account
• Fixed error when inviting people with your community link

3 Features • 7 Improvements

Whether you created an account in Altar Live a day ago or have been with us since our launch, you know that we have been hard at work to continually stabilize the video-conference. We are excited to announce that today we released some significant updates in Altar Live. These are the first of many that will be rolling out in the coming weeks. Check out all the stability updates:

• Video disconnection will fix itself
• Seeing and hearing other people
• Member names not appearing on the list
• Resinated ability to add yourself as Host/Greeter
• Event creation options simplified
• Sent messages are now grouped
• Member list updates when anonymous users log in
• Notifications icon for unread direct messages
• Date/time tooltip to sent messages
• Member no longer showing the wrong name

3 Features • 4 Improvements • 1 Known Issue

After months of hard work behind the scenes, we're thrilled to introduce you to our new design and new sign in flow. This week, we shipped:

• New community design
• Find your community search
• Sign in faster with magic sign in link
• Restream widget sizing is fixed
• Show me around Altar tour works again
• Invite a friend to the Demo
• Email verification email sends consistently

2 Features • 5 Improvements

You asked, and we heard you: deleting events is now available! Some weeks, our product updates are exploding with exciting new features. Other weeks, we focus on fine-tuning existing behavior. Guess which type of week this is? Updates include:

• Ability to delete events
• New design for event cards
• Fixed direct message bug
• The “send invitation immediately” option is checked by default
• Upgrade your plan from the event creation flow is responsive again
• Number of members online label is consistent on all screens
• Add New Member button is responsive again

2 Features • 3 Improvements

Let the chorus of "good mornings" and "amen's" flow! You now have a way to communicate to everyone on the event in one general chat channel. Chat also got some other updates and bug fixes this week:

• Tool tips show you what buttons do
• Cursor jumping is resolved
• Spinning wheel in chat is gone
• Live stream errors were addresses

3 Features • 3 Improvements

We know everyone has a different setup at home. Using an external camera or mic? No problemo - you can now easily change your audio and video input. That’s not the only way we’ve improvement ease of finding, seeing and hearing other participants this week:

• Find on screen option helps you find seated people
• Now integrating with Castr
• Ability to join a table without video permissions
• Start a new message defaults to only online members
• Updates to Safari browser compatibility

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3 Features • 4 Improvements

New year, new features. This week there’s even more to love about the lobby. Tables can now be named! Name a Prayer Table or Welcome Table, or the Donut-lovers Table. Go crazy. But that’s not all that’s new this week:

• More streaming integrations
• Edit you profile during an event
• New look for event titles
• Go attend an event at another church
• Greeters can chat with visitors
• Upload even more pre-event slides

4 Features • 4 Improvements

In our last update of 2020, we come bearing gifts! In this release, you’ll see:

• Pre-recorded videos synchronized for all participants
• A new look for the lobby
• Ability to collapse your table view
• One minute countdown before event ends
• New banner notifications

2 New Features - 1 New Improvement - 2 Known Issues

A whole new way of doing church has arrived. Watch parties are here! You can actually turn to your neighbor online and “pass the peace” or pray with someone in real time over video. But that’s not the only good news:

• New pew view & video-conference watch parties
• Easier sign with Google
• Fully supported on all browsers