Spent the day today in San Jose at the VON conference which stands for “Video on the Net.” It’s just a hard core geek conference showing off technologies in video and voice over the Internet. Many of the technologies being shown off are of no interest to the KQKE audience, but I did see a few cool tools that might be of interest to listeners.
There was lots and lots of talk about how to monetize video. Everyone’s looking for an alternative consumer-acceptable ad unit solution that’s NOT a preroll advertisement (an ad that runs before the program).
– Videoegg is testing a suite of interesting ad units where commercials pop up as a lower third or commercial videos play in a small window kind of like picture in a picture. They’re creating options for publishers which is great. And for users they can experience a commercial and then come right back to the original content at the point that they just left. Videoegg is known for its ability to do simple Web-based video editing.
– Vidavee showed off a tool that lets video publishers insert ad units into their programming where they think it should be placed. Interesting concept of letting publishers control when and how ads appear in their programming. None take over the screen. Almost all are overlays.
– Magnify.net turns every Web user into a network television executive by creating a themed Web site of videos you find all over the Internet. Not just from YouTube, but from tons of other video sharing sites. Magnify.net gives you the tools and interfaces to develop and lay out your site. Check out the Obama ’08 site on Magnify.net.
– For Skype users, I saw two very cool devices. From Polycom (makers of conference phones and a lot more) is the Polycom Communicator, a small travel-sized USB-connected Skype speakerphone (also works with other IP-based applications). Retail price is $129, but you should be able to get it for about $100. Second device is from HP, the Autoswitch HP. This is a headset for your PC that switches audio from your PC speakers to the headset when you actually put the headphones on your head. The ear pads has sensors that knows when you’ve placed it on your head and that’s when it makes the switch. Not on the market yet, but suggested price is only going to be $40. If this device gets some good reviews, I’m definitely going to pick one up.
