Google Admits Video Launch Was A Mistake
from the moving-forward? dept
When the new Google Video launched, we thought it was worth noting that the initial response from people was awful. We didn't doubt that Google would improve it, or that it could become a powerful platform eventually -- but were surprised that such a hyped up product was launched in such a way to make so many people go "huh?" In other Google product launches, there's been an immediate "wow" factor that wasn't just missing with Google Video -- it seemed to have been completely stamped out. It appears that even Google is now admitting that they should have thought through the launch a bit more. Google's Marissa Mayer (who we think is starting to get more press coverage than Brin, Page or Schmidt these days) has now admitted that "We made a big mistake" with the launch of Google Video. Of course, it's not clear that the company has figured out what that mistake really was. Mayer says: "You can't come out and launch a product like Google Video and say 'CSI' and 'Survivor' are there if they're not on the home page." However, that's only a tiny part of the mistake. Part of the problem seems to be that Google Video doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a store for broadcast content? Or is it a platform for anyone to create, share or sell content? Those are two different functions, and probably need two different interfaces. The company has revamped the site, slightly, but it still seems lacking. There's now a big list at the top of videos you can buy, but it still isn't that compelling. For example, the second video listed is the Lakers-Raptors basketball game from last weekend, where Kobe Bryant scored 81 points. There's been a lot of talk about the game, so it's probably a good one to promote. However, if you go to the page of the game, they show you the first 30 seconds of the game, which are incredibly boring. If you're trying to sell the fact that you have a historic basketball game for you to watch, shouldn't the "free" clips be something worth watching? At least show a basket or two or three by Kobe.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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At least they admitted it sucked
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I feel like everybody is always looks for somebody to take a fall so we can point our fingers and laugh yet when people/companies do something amazing, its just expected
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any other company would get shafted
You'll never get me, Google. Never.
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Re: any other company would get shafted
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It just shows their stand as a company.
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- More evidence that "google" is the Aniti-Christ incarnate.
"And google (mathmaticaly translated=666) will rise and unite the nations, and all will praise thier intentions. But in that day they shall go public and also join with the A'OL and it will cause that many should shudder for fear. And in those last days they will launch a beta service that is only medioker, and thier head shall be wounded. But a chinaman will rise out of the sea and heal thier head, in exchange for a crown. But all shall be blind to this, and see thier subtle moves as only reinforcing thier stand for all that is right, by this many shall be decieved."
And to think, all this started with an apple... sheesh.
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