We Are Organized Chaos

May 7th, 2009

Why Video On The iPhone Will Be A Game Changer

There have already been reports surfacing that the next iteration of the iPhone – version 3.0 – will have the ability to both record and edit video on the handset. As reported by CHRON’s Tech Blog, the 3.0 update to be announced in June, will reveal a new handset capable of video.

There’s no doubt that video on the iPhone will be huge. With the release of the iPhone 3G last year, it was assumed (prior to release) that video would be a major feature. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be and for the last year you had to jailbreak your iPhone to use unauthorized video recorders. It’s assumed that the iPhone will use the current optical lens which will be great for short form video and MMS. Maybe this is the year that MMS finally is ‘the next big thing’ in mobile. (Note: Italics are meant for sarcasm as MMS has been the next big thing in the mobile industry for 6 years now…faster network speeds and popularity of the iPhone should finally make 2010 ‘that year’.)

However, should the iPhone have an optical lens both on the front and back of the handset, you’ve now tapped into a nerve center for Corporate America, Advertisers & Marketers and most importantly, Gen Y.

Corporate America? Easy. Video Conferencing. People do business with People and given the continued economic downturn, being able to interface long distance with a business contact face to face (virtually and mobile) will have a bigger impact than people think. Skype is already in a prime position with an app out for iPhone and due out soon for Blackberry. Actually this will be huge for Corporate AND America.

Gen Y? Another easy one. Webcam broadcasts whenever and wherever. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know I’m pretty bullish on UStream being the next big thing in terms of real-time interactive video. If the iPhone does in fact include a screen side optical unit, then this will help usher in this new era of interactive mobile video that much sooner.

Advertiser & Marketers? Tons of potential opportunities. Could a company like Admob integrate smartphone ads into a consumers MMS message (for a loyalty or rewards based program) or even integrate ads into someone’s own mobile webcam broadcast. You could look at contextual ads or even location based serviced ads depending on the location of the broadcast.

This would also raise the bar for ARG’s or other marketing based initiatives that utilize UGC.

The only downside? How long until AT&T or another carrier network decides to pass along the cost to the consumer for sending larger video files or using video conferencing on their network…