Several days back, Luca Filigheddu blogged about 3G video calling and asked other bloggers to debate the issue of whether they felt that mobile video calling was useful in practice, as well as in theory. Several of us (including myself) chimed in with our thoughts in that regard and the resulting string of responses was very interesting.
Borrowing a page from Luca, today I ask a different question -- is video interaction a next logical and powerful way to extend the social networking experience? Specifically, can video (including live "click to call" video interaction among members in a community, as well as video messages -- i.e., click to record video to augment your member profile or send personalized video messages to others) take social networking to another level?
I previously discussed these possibilities and answered them with a resounding "yes" -- I believe that video is the next logical and powerful extension of the social networking experience. In my view, video adds a uniquely powerful human or "personal" element to the online experience.
Let me know if you agree or disagree.
1 comment:
Peter,
I would say yes, but it is a qualified yes.
The recent AOL acquisition of UserPlane certainly points in the direction of two way interaction via chatting in social networks (at least that's why I would have bought UP). I looking at Video, or the concept of Instant Video, the going forward approach will be one of two:
1) Evolutionary-where IM tools like Meebo that are web based (AOL, Yahoo, GoogleTalk are also capable in this direction) and work in an AJAX environment meaning they can update as presence data changes
or
2) Revolutionary where the significant video players like SightSpeed, Yahoo, etc. offer up Ajax ready API's and interfaces so the Social Networks are able to integrate them.
Really what is needed some simple code that lets a member of a social network add their SEE ME NOW button that works with the video client software in a presence mode. The company that gets that button out first and working could have the edge in the viral explosion of video on the Net.
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