google-video posts

Google Video now accepts videos up to 16GB in size

by Brad Linder Oct 2nd 2009

Just in case you had any doubt that Google had a heck of a lot of server space, the company has increased the file size limit for uploads to Google Video. A few days ago, the max was 1GB. Today, it's a whopping 16GB.

In order to take advantage, you'll need a few things:

A Google Apps Premier or Education Edition account
Google Gears
A fairly speedy internet connection (unless you're cool with your videos taking a year or two to upload)

The change only affects Google Video, not Google's other video site. YouTube uploads are still limited to 2GB. Google also killed uploads to Google Video for the general public a while back, limiting the feature to Google Apps users. So it's doubtful that the company really expects to buckle under the pressure of all those 16GB file uploads.

[via AppScout]

Tags: google-video, online-video, video

Filed under: Internet, Video, Google, web 2.0

YouTube introduces paid and free downloads

by Christina Warren Feb 12th 2009

After years of trying to convince us that, no -- we really shouldn't want a way to watch YouTube content offline, the company has officially confirmed that they are rolling the ability to download YouTube videos. The program is still evolving, but right now, both free and paid downloads are available from a small list of providers.

I'm can't help but be struck by a sense of déjà vu . If you recall, the now defunct Google Video initially offered paid downloads -- it was an epic failure. I don't want to be too quick to judge, but unless YouTube implements some changes, like FAST, it is going to end the same way.

Here are the problems as I see it:

The partner channels testing paid downloads are, for lack of a better word, unimpressive. I'm sorry, but I really don't want to pay $0.99 for a math lesson, a so-called hacking lesson or to see a new media douchebag. I'm perfectly content to watch that content online if the alternative is paying.
If the free content from Stanford University is anything to go by, the downloaded quality isn't that great. If I'm going to pay for a download (or even take the time to download a 245 meg file of a free program), at least make it worth my while.
Again, the content selection thus far sucks. What's the use of promoting all this commercial content if there's no way any of it is going to be downloadable, since it appears everything has to be licensed either by the Creative Commons or public domain?
They hide the stuff you do purchase under http://www.youtube.com/my_purchases. Take a cue from Apple, make it easy to access your purchased content. Maybe put a link in the main YouTube menu.
It's unclear how many times you can download content and whatnot.

Those issues aside, I suppose it's cool that YouTube is finally allowing people to download content. Now, let's cue the flood of YouTube stars desperate to make a buck off of their unique sense of self.

Tags: downloads, google, google-video, paid downloads, PaidDownloads, youtube

Filed under: Internet, Video, Google

Should Google execs be held responsible for illegal video uploads?

by Brad Linder Feb 3rd 2009

Four Google executives are in court in Italy today facing charges related to a video that was posted on the Italian version of Google Video in 2006.

This isn't the first time that Google has faced pressure because of videos that were illegally uploaded to Google Video or YouTube. But this time we're not talking about copyrighted music videos or movies. The video in question shows four kids harassing a boy with Down Syndrome. Google removed the video after receiving a complaint. But Italian authorities filed criminal charges of defamation and violation or privacy.

The case seems a bit ridiculous. On the one hand, it's horrible that people would make videos of offensive content and upload it to a site like Google Video. On the other, should Google be held responsible, or should the kids who created the video?

What do you think? Is this like suing paper manufacturers for creating a product that can be used to send death threats and ransom letters? Or is it different because Google could theoretically exert more control over the content that's uploaded to its servers?

Tags: google-video, italy, legal

Filed under: News, Google, Web

It's the end of Google Video, Notebook, and Jaiku as we know it

by Brad Linder Jan 15th 2009

Google has announced plans to close, stop development of, or dramatically alter a number of services including Google Video, Google Notebook, Google Catalog Search, Jaiku, Dodgeball, and Google Mashup Editor.

Some of the services will still be around for a while, but active development has stopped which means there won't be any new features for Google Notebook or Google Video. And in a few months Google will stop accepting new uploads for Google Video which means the site will function as a video search engine and a repository of old videos.

Google Catalog Search is going away altogether, as is Dodgeball and Google Mashup Editor. Micro-blogging service Jaiku will live on as an open source project that will be maintained by volunteers from Google and outside.

Yesterday Google also wrote on its official blog that the company is eliminating about 100 recruiting jobs and may lose some of its engineering staff as the company tries to relocate some job positions.

[via Search Engine Land]

Tags: dodgeball, google-catalog-search, google-mashup-editor, google-notebook, google-video, jaiku

Filed under: Internet, Video, Windows Mobile, Mobile Minute, iPhone

Watch YouTube, DailyMotion Google Videos on your phone with Avot mV

by Brad Linder Jan 25th 2008

Sure, Google went and launched a new and improved mobile interface for YouTube this week. But what if you're looking for videos from DailyMotion, Google Video, or other sites? And what if you've got a phone that doesn't play well with the mobile version of YouTube?

Avot mV is an online video portal for mobile devices. When you visit the site with a mobile web browser you'll either find a mobile interface for browsing, searching, and playing videos or a download link for a Windows Mobile application that lets you perform the same functions. The application requires a Windows Mobile 5.0 or newer device, but the web interface should work as is with the Safari web browser on an iPhone.

You can also visit the site with a desktop browser to try out the interface before deciding whether to install it on your phone.

Tags: avot-mv, avotmv, dailymotion, google-video, mobile, mobile-video, youtube

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