Google Quietly Launches Video Upload Offering
from the just-like-that dept
A few weeks ago, Larry Page mentioned in passing Google’s plan to let users upload videos, making Google one of any number of new players in this suddenly intriguing space of video storage (following the insanely hot space of photo storage). It appears that Google has now launched the beta version of this program quietly (as quietly as Google can launch anything — meaning it’s spreading fast). It appears to have some interesting features, including letting you charge people to download your videos, which puts it in competition with new offerings like Brightcove. Either way, it’s yet another extension of easy media creation… from text, to audio, to video — the tools of creations, storage and distribution are all getting easier. While the easy claim is to dismiss it because there will be a ton of useless crap (which there absolutely will be), that’s missing the real potential such video creation tools have. What’s crap to some people, won’t be to others — and the ability to find new gems that weren’t possible before will outweigh an infinite amount of dreadful content.
Comments on “Google Quietly Launches Video Upload Offering”
One big problem -- No Mac client
How can they even consider a video system yet not provide a client for Macs? Major oversight.
Re: One big problem -- No Mac client
Because the Mac remains a relatively tiny niche market. Even a “do no evil” company like Google would be foolish to invest first in a tiny market. Once the service is refined and if it proves successful, then smaller markets can be addressed. Even companies like Adobe now focus first on the PC market, because it dwarfs the Mac market.
Re: Re: One big problem -- No Mac client
Actually, Mac users are probably somewhere around 10% of Internet users. Add in the fact that they are MUCH more likely to try out new services/software, and more likely to share and tell others about the new service, and they have a lot of influence. Linux users are similar in that aspect.
Companies make a big mistake when they think that all “computer users” weigh equally in a new products’ success. Some users have much more influence than their “market share” reveals.
Re: Re: One big problem -- No Mac client
Apple still represents about half of all Adobe desktop publishing sales (excluding some of the PDF business tools). This “tiny” miche market is the dominate player in digital media creation. Thus the reason for the original posters comments.
To see how an online service could focus on a niche first and be successful, go take a look at the history of the iTunes Music store.
All that said. This is a go it alone move by Google. Not licensing anyone’s DRM not using anyone’s player. This can get expensive and to get max return on your investment, I could see going Windows first. I just wonder why with all the powerful tools out there why re-invent the wheel? Is this so they can provide maximum flexibility, or is it a lock in to try to control content? We will see.