The long-awaited Apple iPhone has arrived, complete with a version of OS X, push e-mail, Internet browsing, a 2-megapixel camera, a high-resolution, 3.5-inch display, $500 - $600 priced. Too much hype...but wait a minute what happens if you try to use as a mobile video device?
Well, the web browser can't handle Flash or Java, which deprives you of millions of Web videos. The camera can't capture video, and you can't send picture messages or MMS to other cell phones. You can't install new programs from anyone but Apple; other companies can create only iPhone-tailored mini-programs on the Web.
So what does it lack? Flash, Java, stored passwords, RSS, and streaming audio or video (except for some QuickTime videos).
Microsoft encourages telcos to use its IPTV software
Microsoft is making a new push to turn its IPTV software into the standard opening it up as a development platform for companies that want to create interactive TV apps. The company has rebranded its software as Microsoft Mediaroom. This is considered an early first step towards bringing together the PC and TV environments, and trying to create a killer TV experience.
Microsoft has encouraged its 18 telco customers around the world –like AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Swisscom, British Telecom, Telefonica, TOL France and Portugal Telecom- to add Microsoft.
Delivering video over private networks
IPTV is the way most telephone companies hope to provide TV service over fiber or DSL lines to compete with cable and satellite TV providers. IPTV uses Internet protocols, but is not delivered over public Internet. IPTV has very little to do with the Internet. It is delivered over a telco’s own network. With IPTV, telcos can offer a broad array of both premium and niche channels, high-definition video, multiple picture-in-picture views, a built-in digital video recorder, no delays when flipping through channels, and added features like caller ID on your TV screen. It combines the image quality of broadcast television with the two-way connectedness of things like YouTube and BitTorrent.
Many experts consider that 2007 will mark the beginning of an IPTV boom. With IPTV, telcos will be able to offer hundred of channels of TV over their existing telephone wires or fiber lines. (Fiber is obviously better, but it costs about $1,000 to link up each new home with fiber, versus about $350 for an advanced copper technology). Personal video channels could also be part of the mix, with viewers being able to upload their own video from whatever device they like. Other scenario as sharing a TV show with another IPTV subscriber will be possible as well. A drawback of the IPTV is that is not truly on-demand: it is still scheduled because of legal and licensing issues, so people will need DVRs.
MySpaceTV, a new destination in a bid to take on YouTube
MySpaceTV.com is the new video destination of MySpace, launched in a bid to take on YouTube. MySpaceTV.com claims that it integrated video more seamlessly with social networking and it features more appealing video, more professional video. Focusing primarily on professional and original content, MySpaceTV hopes to attract advertisers who are concerned about associating with user-generated fare.
Slate launches its online video magazine
Slate.com has launched SlateV.com, a companion video site to its magazine, powered by Brightcove. It combines original features hosted by Slate writers with some user created components.
SlateV.com will cover politics, the arts, science, business, among other topics. They also will have a section called Did You See This?, where they will post their picks for the best short videos from around the Web.
Site collects huge list of video resources
Online video world is becoming so huge that it’s proving hard to keep track. A website, Mashable has put together an exhaustive list of applications and websites centered on video, from sharing sites to video mixers, mashups, hosting, converters… More that 150 sites in this category. There are many tools really unknown.
GodTube for Christians
Check out GodTube, a Christian version of YouTube which according the founders, “utilizes Web based technology to connect Christians for the purpose of encouraging and advancing the Gospel worldwide.”
