Different trends have been making waves in the online video space in recent times. This post is an attempt to highlight just three of them.

1. Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality

AR and VR are two nascent technologies that promise to be the next big video platforms.

What is Augmented Reality? - Augmented reality tech works by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. Elements in the real-world are augmented (or supplemented) by computer generated digital objects - screens, menus and other data (see featured image above).



What is Virtual Reality? - Virtual reality tech replaces the real-world with a simulated one - the user is completely immersed within the computer generated altered reality.

In order to gain access to the other-worldly digital realm, both technologies require special hardware to be mounted on the user’s head - It’s simply and magnificently the stuff of science fiction. Although both technologies are still in their infancy, a lot of headway has been made by Microsoft in the AR space with its HoloLens device. Facebook on the other hand recently purchased a company which has been raising eyebrows with its VR device, known as Oculus Rift. Real world applications that stand to benefit from the use of these devices range from gaming and communication, to architecture and the medical field.

When these devices are finally released for production to the market by their respective companies, they will make their way into the hands of people like you and me. Now tell me, isn't that amazing? ;)

2. Video Comments

Offering commentary in the form of video on online forums has been another burgeoning trend of late. With waning visitor/reader numbers, social blogs have had to resort to the medium of video in order to keep readers engaged. Facebook - the leading social network - took up on this trend when it introduced on behalf of its users, the ability to comment on a post with a video clip. This validation by industry titans is an indication of the power of video in its ability to keep users active on services.

Apart from improving user engagement metrics, Video Comments also go a long way in breaking the cycle against the scourge of Internet trolling. Internet trolls - also known as very annoying people - have been a bane of online forums since the dawn of the mainstream Internet. Online communities that allow anonymous participation by users, have become breeding grounds for this most unfortunate behaviour. Granted some people will genuinely prefer to stay anonymous while on the Internet - for all kinds of sensible reasons, video tends to be a deterrent against trolling, as it inherently fosters openness.

3. Social video networking post YouTube - Mobile

Back in 2011, the global sales of mobile devices (smartphones) were reported to have eclipsed that of desktop computers for the first time in the history of computing. This was a significant milestone as it marked a new era of computing on devices. A thriving ecosystem of mobile application (app) development activity, coupled with an eager app user-base, helped spur the popularity of these devices even further. It was only a matter of time before video based apps would start to make their way onto users’ devices. Snapchat and Vine are but just a pick of the bunch - and leaders in their own right - among the services within the mobile video app category. The former is a video messaging service started by Stanford University alumni. In recent times, it was reported to have had an activity involving the sending of around 700 million photos and videos per day. The latter is a video sharing service with an estimated user base of 40 million, with 100 million people watching shared videos on it each month. With this much activity on these services, you can certainly brace yourself for more developments to come from within the mobile video space.

Later,



- Mohau

For an in-depth analysis on the benefits of Online Video in today's connected economy, you can download this FREE manifesto in PDF format: 'How Online Video Disrupted The World'



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