Microsoft Steps Into The Video Arena With Soapbox

This article was written on September 19, 2006 by CyberNet.

Microsoft Video Service: Soapbox Microsoft is stepping up to YouTube, Google, and Yahoo by offering their own video sharing service called Soapbox. At this stage it is only open by invite only but you shouldn’t be disappointed if you don’t get in right away. Why? CNet’s initial review concludes by saying

In sum, Soapbox is disappointing. It’s a slightly better sharing service than YouTube in some small technical ways, but it doesn’t help users make money from their content like Revver does; it doesn’t have granular privacy controls like Vox; it won’t post directly into blogs for you like VideoEgg; and it won’t show videos from other networks like Yahoo Video. Given Microsoft’s position in the video sharing market (dead last), I expected a more aggressive product.

Soapbox is not looking like an attractive solution for users but here are the features that CNet pointed out:

  • Tag videos
  • Comment
  • Browse videos while watching one (this is kinda cool)
  • Any length of videos as long as the size is less than 100MB
  • Uses Windows Media Player in Internet Explorer and Flash in other browsers

I think that the only way their video service will become popular is if they make it easy for people to integrate it into their Windows Live Spaces. Other than that I think Google and YouTube will still hold the crown for video sharing services.

Copyright © 2010 CyberNet | CyberNet Forum | Learn Firefox

Related Posts:


Verizon Launching Next Motorola Droid on June 23

It looks like the Motorola Droid 2 is upon us – and it looks like it may have Adobe Flash. We just got an invite to the launch of the next Motorola Droid at noon ET on June 23rd, and Adobe’s CEO is prominent on the list of speakers. That implies the Droid 2 will run Android 2.2, with its Flash 10.1 support – and that the game is truly on against Apple and AT&T.
Speaking of Apple and AT&T, they’re launching the iPhone 4 on June 24. It’s almost certainly not a coincidence that Verizon, Google, Motorola and Adobe are banding together on the previous day to try to provide some counter-programming.

Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview

Not interested in waiting until the 23rd for Verizon’s big announcement? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered right now! The Motorola Droid X has probably been one of the worst kept smartphone secrets in recent memory, but after spending two hours with the phone we sort of see why. In short, it’s pretty awesome. Call it a superphone or a mega-smartphone, but the 4.4-inch handset is absolutely Verizon / Motorola’s answer to the HTC EVO 4G, and makes the Droid Incredible look like a bench warmer. What do we mean? We’ll let you see for yourself just after the break in a breakdown of exactly what this phone is all about — and in a video or three of it in action. Oh, and on your way down, make sure to feast your eyes on the gallery, too.

Continue reading Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview

Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sea turtle plays star role in lost-camera saga

Turtle gets hold of digital camera lost in Aruba and films telling footage before the cam washes up on a Key West, Fla., shore six months later.

Verizon to unveil next Droid device June 23

One day before the iPhone 4 launch, Verizon plans to introduce its next Android phone. CNET will be there to cover the details. pOriginally posted at a href=”http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20007798-251.html” class=”origPostedBlog”Android Atlas/a/p

Urbanears Medis Earphones Hit Store Shelves

Urbanears - MedisUrbanears has had the Medis earphones on their Web site for ages now, but the company announced today that they would finally start appearing on the shelves of Bloomingdales, Turntable Lab, Rock and Soul, and other retailers both online and brick-and-mortar, retailing for $50.00 USD.

The Medis earphones feature Urbanears’ new “EarClick” technology, which makes the earphones a combination between earbuds and over-the-ear headphones. The earphones come with a clip on the outside to keep them on your ears, and the actual earbud piece fits into your ear, but not as far into the ear canal as normal earbuds would. Even so, the Medis ship with four inserts to make sure that they fit well on any ear.

As with all of Urbanears’ headsets, the Medis come with an in-line microphone so you can use them for your portable audio player and your cell phone interchangeably, and they come in over a dozen colors to match your tastes and preferences. 

Motorola, Verizon announcing ‘next generation of Droid’ on June 23

We don’t know whether this is going to be the Droid 2, the Droid X, or both, but Motorola, Google, Verizon, and Adobe — yes, Adobe — are all getting on stage out in New York on the 23rd of the month to announce some new Android gear. Should be exciting, so keep it locked — because naturally, we’ll be on-hand for all the festivities.

Motorola, Verizon announcing ‘next generation of Droid’ on June 23 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

PlayStation Plus announced at E3: $50 / year

And here it is! PlayStation Plus has been announced. As we suspected, the PlayStation Network itself will not change, while power users can upgrade for $50 a year or $18 for three months. And to sweeten the deal, your first three months are free. And what do you get for your hard earned dough? Tons of premium content, including “hundreds of dollars of products” throughout the year, early access to betas, and Qore. Sony is also indicating that Plus subscribers will be able to send voice messages to other gamers to invite them to play, even if they’ve made the foolish decision to not subscribe to Plus. Naturally, though, they won’t be able to reply in kind unless they too pony up the cash.

PlayStation Plus announced at E3: $50 / year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

PlayStation Move hits September 19 in U.S.; Sony focuses on Move’s buttons, 3D

Sony’s upcoming Move controller seems both more affordable and more practical than the Kinect. Is it the right move? pOriginally posted at a href=”http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-21539_7-20007794-10391702.html” class=”origPostedBlog”E3 2010/a/p

E3 2010 Live Blog: Sony Media Briefing, 6.15.10

This year Sony will be the last of the big three gaming companies to hold a press conference, coming on the heel’s of Monday’s Microsoft Xbox and Tuesday’s Nintendo events. And once again, PCMag will be live-blogging the event, which begins at noon Pacific time, 3 PM Eastern.

So, what can we expect from the Japanese electronics giant? Your guess is as good as ours. Top rumors include a brand new portable platform–a PSP 2, taking the reigns from its predecessor, which has been floundering a bit in recent years, despite attempts to revitalize the platform with the updated PSP Go.

There’s also some online talk (and some leaked shots) of the PlayStation 4. This one seems a lot more unlikely. The PS3 is far from the company’s planned ten-year lifespan. Heck, games are still coming out for the PS2.


Update
: See the transcript of our live blog after the jump!