Maybe Google’s better off when new services just seep through as betas without much in the way of official announcements. First, Larry Page suggested the wonder of the Google Video Store was available concurrent with his speech — it wasn’t — thus causing some confusion when people went looking for the store and their favorite episodes of CSI. By the following morning, the confusion was being discussed on the CES floor during CNET’s live broadcast from a stage in the South Hall.
Now the Google Pack no longer includes the Google Video Player or RealPlayer, which at least will limit the number of people trying to reach a store that isn’t yet there. C(via Search Engine Watch) Google stumbled last year when it launched its first video (hey, that’s why it’s called beta although maybe alpha makes more sense) with a kludgy player and copy-protected broadcast video used without permission. This time, it’s almost a Chevy Chase pratfall. (I’d say Robin Williams but I don’t want to be blacked out.) Personally, I’d rather see it work. I have huge gaps in my CSI knowledge and I want to know how much it will cost to fill them.
This hasn’t stopped the stock from climbing, of course. It’s up to $472.
Update: To make what is supposed to be simple even more complicated, Google Pack has a default and a not as obvious set of apps that can be added. Thanks for the heads up, Geoff. (Yes, it says add or substract software but that appears to me as a user to refer to updates after I’ve downloaded the pack, not to setting up a customized version of a no-brainer download/install.)RealPlayer, Trillian, Google Talk and GalleryPlayer HD Images are not part of the default download. Google Video isn’t in either option. One person I spoke with — not affiliated with either company — is mystified about Real’s inclusion at all.
Update: Google Video launched with premium content Mionday night. Am I too harsh to call a four-day delay a stumble? The confusion that started Friday in the height of publicity could have been forestalled simply by saying it would go live soon. I’ll be watching to see how appealing the NBA turns out to be by the game; so far, they have the greatest selection. Kudos to Google for trying some variable pricing, the most intriguing aspect so far. Rafat has more in a first look.
Related: Google To Offer Video Downloads; Develops Own DRM
– CES: Launch of Google Video Player
– CES: Google Pack: Live Now
– @ CES 2006: Keynote: Larry Page, Google; Parts Blacked Out
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