Another piece of the Google video puzzle is slated to fall into place today, according to John Battelle: video playback via an in-browser media player. Video playback is the latest in a series of steps Google has taken to be a major force in online video, following video search and video storage via submissions. The logical next step is a tie-in with the Google e-pay system in the wings, the subject of much speculation and a tiny bit of confirmation in the last 10 days. Of course, this requires yet another media player — Google has adapted the open-source VLC Player and plans to make its code available for other developers.
Battelle: “Now, before we start discussing how this represents the Death of Comcast/The Networks/Windows Media Player et al, this is not quite that, but it is the start of something big.” He calls it a “big deal” for those without the resources to store, serve and charge for video on their own — without mentioning the numerous other services already rolled out or in progress.
Meanwhile, the natives are restless over at Google Video Uploads, where contributors are waiting for their videos to go online. Google has been accepting videos for weeks but has yet to go live; some aren’t receiving notice that their submissions have been verified. Also, some of those who uploaded in Windows Media Player’s wma format, which was described as compatible, are running into problems. A message dated June 26 promises product rollout soon.
Related: NCTA: Google Goes Into Personal Video: Breaking
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