Everyone wants to be “the next YouTube,” to take a simple concept—there, watching videos online—and bring it to the everyday Internet user, cashing out for $46 zillion. TokBox, whose name I still can’t figure out how to pronounce, is one of those companies, its focus being live Web chat. Think of how many times you’ve been on AIM or MSN and thought to yourself, Gee, if only I could see my friend in his or her pajamas, then my life would really be set. That’s what TokBox aims to do: to make live video chat as easy as firing up a new browser window. (Using Skype or iChat is much too hard for the average user, is what TokBox is banking on.)
That TokBox has secured plenty of venture capital money, including money belonging to Sequoia Capital (a huge backer of YouTube back in the day), means that it won’t disappear like Pets.com. The site is in beta now, and the video is a little on the grainy side, but that’s expected to improve once Adobe releases an updated version of Flash.
I don’t know, it seems to me that YouTube can be enjoyed passively. “Hey, let me watch a couple video clips of man getting hit by football.” That I can do in my office (or wherever) without drawing too much attention. Talking to my BFF online may be a different story—”Hey dude, nice haircut, what did you get in a fight with a lawn mowerlolz”—is more conspicuous.
Video Chat Service Aims to Follow YouTube’s Path [New York Times]
Are the reposts practically copy-pasted from techcrunch really necessary? I do realize you’re affiliated, but borrowing their coverage and sprinkling a little sarcasm on top does not a fresh post make.
Biggs told me to write it, Liz. I was only following orders.
Not all of us check TechCrunch.
ie: Myself.
No offense TechCrunch.
you really made it halfway through the intro video and still couldn’t figure out it was pronounced “talk-box”? hmm…
Regarding the pronunciation, I’d guess it was pronounced exactly as it’s written. Tok – Box….Go on…say it a few times. There you go…sounds a bit like Talk Box doesn’t it?
I get the feeling you knew that all along. Deep down.
;-)
I’m a recently appointed beta tester at wigiwigi.com, who have
been working on a similar product called mebeam ;; similar is
probably not the best word to compare the two – it would
be like comparing a mazda and a merc