Unmarketing, AKA Scott Stratten, served up a stellar keynote without notes, a mic or even notes to an enthusiastic crowed on the roof of the Merchandise Building in Toronto.  Scott’s blunt and in-your-face approach to social media was appreciated by most everyone, even the most jaded in social media/ communications professionals present.

Scott manages to explain in a colourful and entertaining manner that perhaps social media isn’t for some people…  and some people are idiots.

The Biz Media thanks all who were able to make it out to our first #TheBizMedia Sessio;  you are all wicked awesome.

It’s been tried before, with scant success;  Apple TV, Boxee, and to some extent Windows Media Centre have all taken a shot at the home entertainment center.  In the last couple of weeks there has been recent developments that will forever change your expereince on the couch.

Google TV:
Announced at the Google I/O, this will roll out as a software which can be installed directly into TVs. Sony, Logitech and Intel are already signed up.

1.  Search is key – Allowing users to browse everything from broadcast TV schedules, to YouTube to website streams will bring computer functionality to the TV.

2.  Comfortable Viewing – Youtube’s “Lean back”  service will greatly enhance the passive Youtube viewing experience.  A recommendation engine will intelligently lignup and auto play Youtube videos in full screen so the viewers hands can staff off the remote and in the popcorn.

3.  The Web App – Google has released standards and best practices for web developers to adhere to when designing for the TV.  The sites will most likely have video content and an interface that is really remote friendly.

Apple TV V.2:
Rumored to be a new version of the Apple TV based on the iPhone 4.0 Hardware.  *Based on Rumors*

1. $100 –  This price point greatly reduces the barrier to entry.  It’s comparable to buy 4 new release blu-rays.

2. Itunes integration –  Anyone with an iPod already has a vast organized music collection on their computer.  The appleTV will allow better integration into this.

3.  App Store –  Any large media outlet has an app in the Apple App store.  They will have one formated for the iPhone, the iPad and now perhaps Apple TV.  Users are used to the download process.

4.  The iPad/iPhone – The iPhone is in millions of pockets and the iPad is now on millions of coffee tables.  These are the perfect remotes for an Apple TV.

The maturation of online video is certainly not over.  The 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike that rocked the world of television was about the role the union should play in protecting the original online content of  its members.

This recent  impromptu interview with Tamara Krinsky, who is the WGA’s New Media Project Manager, illustrates where the WGA currently is and what challenges they and their members face in the “wild west” that is the online video space.

The WGA claims they have a working model and online media is integrated in their contracts but these will all be under review when negations start again in 2011.

Original Beet.TV article

Writers Guild Explores Rules for Uncharted Online Video World

Watchout Netflix and Apple, YouTube is “unofficially” in the online video rental space. With a quiet debute today, YouTube  opened YouTube.com/store, which if accessed from outside the U.S will bring you to someone’s vacant channel.

The biggest advantage Youtube will have in the rental space is its access to more independent/ non-movie content.  Sure you can rent the latest blockbuster  or even art films from Netflix but you can’t rent a semi-pro tutorial on how to use After Effects CS5.   This monetization of amateurish content is part of the evolution of online video.

It will be a while before Youtube allows for non-movie or TV show content to be sold.  It’s not hard to see its inevitability.