Google to sell video, take on Apple; announces Google Pack

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2006-01-05 03:23pm

Ars wrote:

Tomorrow Google will announce a new commercial video download service, according to multiple sources. The service, which will be an addition to Google's Video Search, will allow users to buy video content for pre-determined prices, and the company is expected to announce partnerships with the likes of CBS and the NBA.

To date, CBS has been slow to get into bed with any particular video sales partner, but plenty of eyes are watching them: currently CBS is the undisputed leader in major network primetime television, owning seven of the top ten spots nearly every week.

As we reported in November, CBS chairman Leslie Moonves said that the network was shopping their content around to the likes of Google, Yahoo, DirecTV, and others, looking for the best way to monetize their content. Last week CBS announced a brief promotional trial with Yahoo for two shows.

Plenty of questions remain. Will Google be streaming shows, or offering them for download? Currently Google only supports streaming. Will Google stick with a Flash-based video delivery system? Will this mark the unveiling of the mysterious Google Wallet?
Google Pack

In related news Google will also take the wraps off of "Google Pack," a bundle of applications that will be made available for download in a single installation bundle. Sources tell us that Google pack will feature a Google-tweaked version of Firefox, Adobe Acrobat Reader, antivirus software from Symantec, AdAware, Trillian, and Google's own offerings, including Google Desktop Search, Picasa, Google Earth, Google Talk, and all of the toolbar action you can shake a stick at. Oh, and I left out one other item: the RealPlayer.

That's right. Google will be distributing RealNetwork's RealPlayer.
The timing of the announcement leaves us to wonder if RealPlayer and its DRM solution haven't been chosen as Google's commercial video sales format, but it's hard to imagine Google making such a blunder.
RealPlayer could be described as significantly unpopular among savvy users, with few of us even having it installed on our systems. Furthermore, the RealPlayer suffers from less penetration than either iTunes or Windows Media Player, giving it the feeling of a third wheel.

Google Pack also sports some other oddities. For instance, bundling Trillian might seem strange considering that Google is working hard to promote its own instant messaging client.
On the other hand, Trillian is an early attempt at service federation through an application (that is, it allows you to tie multiple networks together with one application, almost bridging the IM gap), and Google may see it as a way to reduce the installation base of MSN/Windows Messenger and AIM.
We will report again on these developments as we learn more information.

I fins this interesting, since Google is a bit of an odd iPod competitor due to it's lack of media comapny supporters, however it could make money on niches and non tv videos, such as nature documentaries, etc....
The Google pack seems very interesting, eince it would conatin the long awaited Goolge tuned Firefox Browser, however the inclusion of Real player is very strange since I would have laid money a year ago on Google using V-lan for it's player, since it's allready used in it's basic google video search software.
I would guess that the only reason they might have is the promise from real player of access to a variety of video clips that real player might have gained a license to, so as to help fight iTunes, still it is a peculiar software piece.
Any better ideas concerning the real player or How Google may use it's video selling service?
Here's another story about the Google download service to help confirm it.
I asked Valdimar beforehand and he said that it ain't spam, and should go here rather than in N&p beforehand

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2006-01-05 04:08pm

Realplayer?
Say it an't so Google, say it an't so.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2006-01-05 04:17pm

Mr Bean wrote:Realplayer?
Say it an't so Google, say it an't so.

My thoughts exactly, HP have also abandoned Apple and are using real player instead.
This is odd, since real player quite simply sucks, is not a good piece of programming and has not got a good word to mouth reputation.
Frankly, Google's tendancy to make incredibly easy to use/download software would work towards the demographic of ludites who would use real, but this would be a true violation of "Do no evil".
I'm hoping for a miracle with Google using a decent player, preferably open source (Why the hell don't they keep using V-lan, it's in google video anyway so they have experience with it and it's damn slick [although Media player classic and bs player are superior, but I digress).
Frankly however, the other programs in the pack sound sweet, especialy if these are "free versions" that are supported by non spyware marketing, since those are the essential program archetypes that everyone needs.
They even have trillian which in all fairness is one of the best and probably the most polished and easy to use multi IM network chat programs available.

Pu-239 · Post by **Pu-239** » 2006-01-05 06:32pm

Actually, the realplayer client for *NIX isn't really all that bad- only complain is that it doesn't support using ESD (so altering the volume alters the volume of everything else), but eh... I really don't use it though, since mplayer does everything.

The latest Windows clients may be better too, but haven't really touched it.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-01-06 02:00am

RealPlayer for Mac isn't that bad either. It's just the Windows version that sucks.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2006-01-07 02:04am

Google cofounder Larry Page rode onto the stage at the Google keynote this afternoon at CES on the bumper of Stanley, the winning entrant in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge.
Driving Google Earth

Page showed off a prototype developed with automaker VW that basically brings Google Earth into your car.
Using a dashboard display, you can get driving directions, perform a destination search, or local search using an onscreen keyboard. It's still in the prototype phase, with no indication given of when it would come to market.

Google also announced a version of Google Local for Mobile for the BlackBerry platform, which is available today, as part of the demonstration of Google's cell-phone-friendly services.
Staying interconnected: open standards

At first glance, Google seems to be a bit of an odd fit among the companies giving keynote addresses. As the final keynote speaker of the CES, Page was preceded by Microsoft, Intel, and Sony, all of which fit easily and comfortably into the consumer electronics universe. While Google is on par with the companies in terms of influence, brand awareness, and any number of other metrics, it's not thought of a consumer electronics company. So Page made the case for why Google belongs in the CES mix.

Describing the CES as a geek convention, Page bemoaned the fact that he can't easily connect a camera with a "pocket hard drive" because of a lack of software and open standards. He encouraged manufacturers and developers to embrace open standards to allow devices to interoperate easily and to work the same, no matter where you plug them in.
Google Pack

As expected, Google has officially made Google Pack for Windows available for download. According to Page, Google Pack "makes having the right software on your computer as easy as going to the Google home page." Included in Google Pack are:

* Mozilla Firefox
* Ad-Aware SE Personal
* Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition
* Adobe Reader 7
* Google Earth
* Picasa
* Google Desktop
* Google Toolbar
* Google Talk

Optional software such as Trillian, GalleryPlayer HD Images, and RealPlayer is also available for inclusion in the Pack.

An assistant then ran a demo of the Google Pack download and installation process. It's very simple: click to download, assent to the obligatory license agreement, and then download an installer program. According to Page, the installer works in the background to avoid hogging your bandwidth. The apps included in Google Pack will supposedly be updated automatically, and Page trumpeted the fact that there's no nagware included—you won't be bugged for upgrades, and you won't have to worry about the programs in Google Pack changing your system settings without your approval.

Google Pack will likely prove to be a hit. The combination of anti-adware and anti-viral software could make it a popular choice for those who aren't inclined to stay on top of security. All that's missing is a word processor and a spreadsheet, two applications that have been the subject of rumors when it comes to Google.
Google Video Store

Robin Williams helps introduce Google Video Store

Page was joined onstage by Robin Williams to talk about Google Video. Launched about a year ago, Page described it as a "weird and innovative" service and claimed to be happy with it, but said that the company needed to monetize the service. The result: Google Video Store.

The Google Video Store will be "available soon" and will launch with over 3,000 titles online. More will be added every day, according to Page. Initially, the content will come from the likes of CBS, the NBA, Classic Media (owners of the rights to such classic cartoons as Rocky & Bullwinkle and Tennessee Tuxedo, as well as VeggieTales producers Big Idea), Charlie Rose, Porchlight Entertainment, and Sony BMG. Page said he believed the videos were 640x480, which if true, would be a big improvement over the 320x240 videos found at the iTunes Music Store.

Kenny Smith, formerly of the Houston Rockets and currently of TNT, came onstage to help pitch Google's agreement with the NBA. For US$3.95 per game, consumers will be able to purchase all NBA telecasts 24 hours after they have aired as well as some classic games.

CBS is throwing its hat in the ring with Google as well. Episodes of CSI, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and other CBS programming will be available for 24-hour rental, for US$1.99. In addition, classic series such as Star Trek (think Kirk, not Picard), the Brady Bunch, and I Love Lucy will also be available. Sony BMG plans to offer a number of music videos through the service as well.

Users will be able to see 30-second previews of the programming and will be able to purchase (or in the case of CBS, rent) the videos without interrupting the preview. Although Page didn't discuss the payments system at length, he did say that it was developed in-house and customers will pay using a credit card linked to the their Google ID.

Currently, the Google Video Store is available for Windows only. However, a Mac version of the video player for the Google Video Store is functional and "hopefully will come out soon." Page also indicated that support for other operating systems (presumably Linux) was on its way. He said that in general, Google "has not done as good a job as we should" when it comes to support OSes other than Windows, and wants to see that change.

Restrictions such as whether the program will be available for online viewing only, a defined rental period, or permanent purchase will be left up to the content creators. That's why CBS programs will be rental only and NBA games can be stored and viewed indefinitely. As to the question of DRM, again, it is at the content creator's discretion, with Page claiming that Google has no control over that end of the game. He did say that the DRM is a Google product—so throw another DRM system into digital media ring.

Content will be US-centric to start with, and some restrictions will be in place to keep content like Survivor away from countries where it has yet to air.

Towards the end of the keynote, Page opened up the floor for questions, with the assistance of Robin Williams (who made fun of most of the questioners). Predictably, the first question was about a Google PC, which failed to make an appearance as some analysts had expected. Interestingly enough, Page seemed a bit evasive when answering the question, which is in marked contrast to the rest of his time on stage. Feel free to draw your own conclusions on that.

He also said that creating a two-tiered Internet as advocated by the likes of Verizon and other ISPs "would be a horrible thing for the world." Of course, it would also be a bad thing for Google, which would find itself at a competitive disadvantage against the likes of AT&T (neé SBC) and Verizon.

Throughout its relatively brief history, Google has enjoyed an excellent reputation with the computer-using public. Its services have been for the most part free, easy to use, and widely available. But now the company is treading in the murkier waters of video sales (or rentals, as the case may be). For the first time, Google is selling a product with digital rights management, which it developed in house. While Page made it clear that the restrictions that are in place on how long a video can be viewed and whether it could be downloaded or only viewed online, are at the discretion of the content creators, the truth of the matter is that Google is now complicit in the whole DRM mishmash that Sony Chairman Howard Stringer bemoaned yesterday.

For all of Page's talk about the beauty and desirability of open standards—a stance I agree with—DRM is by definition closed, and by launching the Google Video Store, Google is stepping away from open standards and interconnectivity. Will charging money for DRMed content take some of the luster off of Google's squeaky-clean reputation? That remains to be seen. Either way, Google has come a long way from being merely a search engine with a simple interface.

CES revelations:
Pack confirmed (I'm downloading it now, theres apparently an auto-updater included and you can choose what to download).

Google video store confirmed- uses a new type of DRM other than microsofts.
Also has 640x480 res, much better than the ridicolously tiny definition in the iTunes store, although still falls short of DVD res, but at least this can be seen on a pc without causing blindness.
Also: Star Trek will be available for download (The original seires at the least from what I understand).

A Volkswagon prototype with built in google earth, possibly for use as an add on for GPS systems? (Personal comment).

Google local for a blackberry or other cell phones.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2006-01-07 02:33am

DEATH wrote:I would have laid money a year ago on Google using V-lan for it's player, since it's allready used in it's basic google video search software.

VLC has been facing the spectre of EU software patents for a long time now, and it's death knell was only a matter of time.

As for using RealPlayer, hey, better than Windows Media Player. On Mac OS X, WMP is a complete piece of shit. (Or, as one of the resident Mac Arsians put it, it's like watching the Special Olympics of Coding.) But RealPlayer on OS X is actually quite nice. It's small, simple and functional. Most importantly, it's not a second-class citizen; WMP on OS X doesn't even support WM9's DRM.

Like Praxis said, RealPlayer on Windows is a totally different beast from the Mac version. The problem with the Windows version is that it tries to replace WMP as a media center. On OS X, it's simply an application to play Real Media files. That's it. And it works just fine.

And people don't care about resolution. 320x240 is just fine for most people. I remember when people were bitching about iTMS 128 kbps data rate. Well guess what? No one gave a shit. As long as the content is watchable enough, all that matters is the interface with which you can buy it. If anyone can match Apple in terms of simplicity, it's Google, but iTMS is a hard act to beat. And of course, Google's videos won't work with iPods, which is a bitch of a hurdle to overcome, considering that video iPods are selling like crazy.

Netko · Post by **Netko** » 2006-01-07 05:09am

DEATH, how bout posting the link to the original article next time?

As for the topic, meh, its not really for me - of course, it isn't targeted at expirienced users in the first place.

Durandal wrote:And people don't care about resolution. 320x240 is just fine for most people. I remember when people were bitching about iTMS 128 kbps data rate. Well guess what? No one gave a shit. As long as the content is watchable enough, all that matters is the interface with which you can buy it. If anyone can match Apple in terms of simplicity, it's Google, but iTMS is a hard act to beat. And of course, Google's videos won't work with iPods, which is a bitch of a hurdle to overcome, considering that video iPods are selling like crazy.

Well, I'd disagree about that. Yes, people don't care about quality that much, however people are also much more visual so diffrences in visual quality are much more important then audio quality, especialy when the diffrence is an additional 3x of data. This isn't audio where a lot of people can't tell the diffrence.

Sure, once you get to DVD quality or hell, even TV quality, it gets to the good-enough point, however what iTunes offers is much lower then that while Google's quality should be comperable to TV.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2006-01-08 12:15am

Absolutely incorrect. One of the first things I learned in a multimedia class I took my freshman year is that people are generally more tolerant of bad video quality than bad audio quality.

And iTunes' videos can be played on a TV and look just fine. On an iPod's screen, they look fine. That's all people care about.