I’m glad there are some comments about Supplemental around the site. I was beginning to think my idea was so perfect that no one had anything negative to say about it. :P
Austin’s front page comment was not negative and I agree with almost every word, but I feel I should address it.
Development Judge Austin Sarner: “Supplemental is one of those ideas that seems really obvious but has yet to be done properly. A really slick overlay based interface would work great for this. I’m not sure how many people are into video blogging and journaling yet, but a streamlined app to do it would certainly be well received. This is an example of a neat and somewhat simple app idea that could appeal to nearly any creative person.”
Are there enough users? The MDA winner’s app will be released around the time of Leopard, so the question is, “will there be enough?” Of course, the app will not be sold for a limited time on some infomercial, so we must ask, “will there be enough to sustain the future of the app?”
Yes.
Austin recognizes that vlogging will eventually take off, but it’s not a big thing yet. The best time to release a quality app, however, is not after it’s a big thing, but just before. We’re at the right time to take advantage of the sharp growth phase.
As Austin said, the app has yet to be done properly. The developers who do it properly are the ones who will win the hearts of the vlogosophere during its conception. I’m easily convinced those developers are here at MDA. Austin’s comments are right on and in my opinion he’s on exactly the right track of what’ll work. Phil has it right too. Vloggers create their own content, so the best app does a few things well and then stays out their way.
Vlogging hasn’t taken off yet for a few reasons. The technology is relatively new. Most important of all the reasons now, I think, is that there isn’t a program people want to use. The competition is currently weak, not the market. No, individuals are not vigorously demanding for the ability to record videos of themselves for storage and distribution. The psychology of that overt demand would suggest a pushy personality. People aren’t like that. They want to have fun, communicate, and learn about themselves. Supplemental will help them do these brilliantly.
Supplemental’s name may have to be changed. It doesn’t seem to have the crucial personal element that the app itself does. It has the word “mental,” but its marketability may diminish outside of Trek-dom.
The title of this post is a reference to some recent news about the vlogging market. I’ll continue that in my next post.
