YouTube + Buzz = Live Geo-Based Video Streams [What If?]

by Rob Jackson on March 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm

I have a never-ending catalog of application ideas saved in my memory – one day I hope I can assemble a team to put some of them into action. One of my dream ideas is so close to fruition that I might as well let the cat out of the bag; in fact, I’m sure there are numerous companies working on it behind closed doors as we speak, Google being one of them. The concept is simple:

  • Take UStream – the ability to record live streaming video from your phone
  • Take Buzz/Latitude – the ability to view Google Maps and see what people around you are saying
  • Integrate them

livestreaming

Twitter is popular for having “citizen journalists” of sorts – offering “Live News” that breaks before most news organizations are able to. Can you imagine what type of ridiculous awesomeness this would allow?

  • I could view Google Maps, search for “Bonnaroo” and check out if anyone is live streaming from the concert. Why not take a peak at what they’re recording?
  • Why not just pan around nearby locations and see if anyone near me is recording live?
  • See a breaking event happening on the news? Find the location and see if you can view the event live

From catching music/sporting events live, to getting real-time access to news video as it happens, to just being a voyeur and peeking in at the lives of strangers and friends alike… this could be HUGE. Google is always looking for ways to integrate their services – heck, they already want to combine Buzz and Latitude – don’t you think all of this would fit quite nicely into the YouTube picture?

What would they CALL the service though? I always like trying to come up with names:

  • BuzzStream
  • StreamTube
  • YouTube Live
  • YouTube Local
  • GeoTube
  • BuzzCam

If I were Google I would SERIOUSLY be looking at investing in one of these live streaming companies like UStream, folding it into YouTube, integrating Buzz/Latitude and adding a completely new dimension to their company that – in all likelihood – would become TREMENDOUSLY popular. But if you thought the privacy stuff was a concern now… uhohs… THIS stuff could get heavy.

  • alchemist007

    qik already does the most of it without geo tagging…. so I wouldn’t be surprised if this idea clicks in the market place and becomes popular with users..

  • My Hero

    It would be great especially if you could filter the type of videos by having them posted in categories, e.g local news, events, personal. You could have individuals making local news for your area could be cool.

  • Matt Parker

    Great idea. I’d call it BuzzYou

  • Alexpeegs

    no its Youbuzz :)

  • Kenyoni

    I would call it “stalker”. In the 30 minutes I played with buzz I was able to figure out where two random strangers lived and whether they were home or not. Very scary.

    –
    Kenyoni.

  • http://www.omgandroid.com Lukehluke

    You might want to keep your idea secret ;)

  • LaptuaZ

    That would be cool, I would have used it when this cop got into a head on accident in front of my place, people wouldnt “need” to rubber neck while they drove by…although they still would ;)

  • CJ

    @alchemist007 On my Droid Qik has the option of showing my location down to the street level.

  • http://www.sugarcoat.it Tuomi

    The following TED-talk is presenting something similar to what you’re talking about at least about the “Videos nearby-feature” allthough it takes it one step further and integrates it to a street view.

    http://www.ted.com/talks/blaise_aguera.html

  • Matt

    haha first comment. exactly my thoughts. add geolocation to qik and done.



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