This is a massive opportunity, I totally agree. I will be anxiously awaiting an ultra-wide curved version.
All of this is great until people realize they need to upgrade their wifi as well to take advantage of the increased bandwith needed to make all this work perfectly.
For years, I've been searching for a "multimedia monitor" (old school language) which is as complete as Apple's Thunderbolt Displays, which shipped from 2011 to 2016 with a wonderful webcam, microphone and speakers, all elegantly packaged as only Apple seems to be able to do. Virtually no other monitors on the market integrate a webcam, mic and speakers as Apple did 9 years ago. The LG Ultrafine 5k, in partnership with Apple, perhaps came the closest, but at high cost. What's funny is there used to be a lot of "multimedia monitors" 15-20 years ago, from brands ranging from Dell to Gateway to HP, but not today. Huh?
great point, Salim. feels obvious to me that Apple or someone else needs to bring the next-gen of this product to market. could even transform into a mode with software where the monitor effectively acts as a ring light, too, for high quality lighting around a call. so much demand for this type of integrated solution.
I'd been pondering over this question as well since the onset of the pandemic when I saw stand-up comics and generally less tech-savvy people struggling to setup streaming on Youtube. Even told my friends that whoever could capture the software+hardware setup with a clean and simple UI would come out as a winner in the pandemic.
Two points I'd have added to why good integration of hardware+software in the video could be really helpful were (emphasis on the why):
1. Live Streaming - A lot of stand-up comics and generally anyone who does public speaking activities have now turned to streaming for public events. We've seen multiple VCs and devs get into streaming, either for games or just events, and we've seen their lab-like setups for it. If an organization could integrate streaming capabilities into its software it could work wonders for them. (I am aware of Zoom doing it)
2. Recording capabilities: I believe this feature is crucial because sometimes you want to make notes or publish bits of videos from longer conversations later for marketing purposes. I initially didn't like Meets or hangouts for this particular reason. I keep recordings of my check-ins w/ people for me to make notes later on. This is where Zoom is winning again and see a lot of other software just playing catch-up. Recording video has its own advantages. Right from conducting user-testing to creating content, I'm sure you get the gist.
So, those are my two cents on your essay. Nonetheless, a brilliant write-up once again.
really great points, Sid. live streaming and recording are two further reasons for an integrated hardware+software solution here, and the potential demand for it if a company nails this product.
This is a massive opportunity, I totally agree. I will be anxiously awaiting an ultra-wide curved version.
All of this is great until people realize they need to upgrade their wifi as well to take advantage of the increased bandwith needed to make all this work perfectly.
agree, Robert!
For years, I've been searching for a "multimedia monitor" (old school language) which is as complete as Apple's Thunderbolt Displays, which shipped from 2011 to 2016 with a wonderful webcam, microphone and speakers, all elegantly packaged as only Apple seems to be able to do. Virtually no other monitors on the market integrate a webcam, mic and speakers as Apple did 9 years ago. The LG Ultrafine 5k, in partnership with Apple, perhaps came the closest, but at high cost. What's funny is there used to be a lot of "multimedia monitors" 15-20 years ago, from brands ranging from Dell to Gateway to HP, but not today. Huh?
great point, Salim. feels obvious to me that Apple or someone else needs to bring the next-gen of this product to market. could even transform into a mode with software where the monitor effectively acts as a ring light, too, for high quality lighting around a call. so much demand for this type of integrated solution.
Great post as usual!
I'd been pondering over this question as well since the onset of the pandemic when I saw stand-up comics and generally less tech-savvy people struggling to setup streaming on Youtube. Even told my friends that whoever could capture the software+hardware setup with a clean and simple UI would come out as a winner in the pandemic.
Two points I'd have added to why good integration of hardware+software in the video could be really helpful were (emphasis on the why):
1. Live Streaming - A lot of stand-up comics and generally anyone who does public speaking activities have now turned to streaming for public events. We've seen multiple VCs and devs get into streaming, either for games or just events, and we've seen their lab-like setups for it. If an organization could integrate streaming capabilities into its software it could work wonders for them. (I am aware of Zoom doing it)
2. Recording capabilities: I believe this feature is crucial because sometimes you want to make notes or publish bits of videos from longer conversations later for marketing purposes. I initially didn't like Meets or hangouts for this particular reason. I keep recordings of my check-ins w/ people for me to make notes later on. This is where Zoom is winning again and see a lot of other software just playing catch-up. Recording video has its own advantages. Right from conducting user-testing to creating content, I'm sure you get the gist.
So, those are my two cents on your essay. Nonetheless, a brilliant write-up once again.
really great points, Sid. live streaming and recording are two further reasons for an integrated hardware+software solution here, and the potential demand for it if a company nails this product.