Digital Media Buzz > Go Live: Streaming Video Becomes a Reality for Mobile

Go Live: Streaming Video Becomes a Reality for Mobile

By Ned Smith

Daniel Graf, the chief executive and co-founder of Kyte, an online and mobile video platform for live and on-demand content, is an internationally recognized technology pioneer with a rich background in home entertainment, consumer electronics and Internet services.

Prior to Kyte, founded in 2006, Daniel worked in the world of converging media consumer products. In 1999 and 2000 he was instrumental in the build-up of ReQuest Multimedia, an award-winning startup consumer electronics company, based in New York. There he created the world’s first MP3 Hard Disk Jukebox, the predecessor to Apple’s IPod.

Later, at Philips Consumer Electronics, he developed the world’s first Internet audio stereo system and the first wireless home entertainment system with Internet video services. Daniel and his team also explored new businesses in the Connected Planet domain, which included the development of new value propositions for TV domains such as IPTV, peer-to peer community TV, Internet content service overlays (such as RSS and weather information “on top” of a TV signal), mobile TV and others.

Daniel has earned several awards, including the “Top 100 Swiss People of the Year 2000” award, a list of Switzerland’s most outstanding achievers awarded by the Swiss newspaper Sonntagszeitung. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Interstate College of Engineering (NTB), Switzerland, and an MS in Computer and Systems Engineering from RPI, Troy NY.

Kyte enables people to watch and create content wherever they are. What is Kyte’s role in the digital eco-system?
Kyte connects brands with their audiences, wherever they are – social networks, websites and mobile devices like the iPhone.

We’re seeing major media and entertainment companies jumping into the real-time stream, and utilizing social media like Twitter and Facebook to interact with consumers. At the same time, we’re seeing an explosion of online and mobile video content.

Kyte is at the intersection of what’s happening in online and mobile video and the social web. We are an integral part of the digital ecosystem, as we provide companies with an online and mobile video platform that incorporates the real-time, interactive capabilities of the social web.

How large is the Kyte community?
Our customers are brands like Universal Music Group, MTV, Extra and the NBA, and their Kyte channels are getting millions of views a day from consumers who are watching online and on mobile devices.

What distinguishes Kyte from other mobile video content creation and distribution platforms? Is it an evolutionary use of technology or a revolutionary one?
We believe the Kyte value proposition is unique. While there are other point solutions out there for live mobile streaming and online video syndication, there is no other single online and mobile video platform that combines the real-time, interactive and community building capabilities of the social web with online and mobile content creation, analytics, control and monetization features. This is what our platform offers and major media and entertainment brands such as MTV, NBA, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are adopting the Kyte Platform because they want these capabilities from a single vendor.

Where does live trump on-demand?
Live streaming is great for broadcasting breaking news and major events. For example, the Huffington Post has used our mobile app to live stream news events such as the Presidential Inauguration and the recent Tax Day Tea Party protests. And celebrity entertainment show Extra will often live stream from the red carpet of movie premieres and other celebrity events.

But there will be times when you’re in non-optimal network conditions or want more editorial control over your content; this scenario is better suited for on-demand.

What are the implications of Kyte for digital media creative community? For developers? For consumers?
We’re seeing more creative agencies utilizing the Kyte platform as a value added service for clients that are looking to incorporate online and mobile video in their marketing strategies.

For example, UK-based consulting firm Wolfstar Consultancy used the Kyte Platform for their client Sony Ericsson’s recent launch of its new GreenHeart product line.

Sony Ericsson executives live streamed the launch event using our webcam feature, and the online audience was able to ask questions about the new products through our multimedia chat feature and integration with Twitter.

Another example is Universal Music Group and the popular band Tokio Hotel. Web design company Scalp revamped the band’s website and used the Kyte Platform SDK to create a sleek, custom show browser that allows fans to easily search and view professionally produced content, including the band’s music videos, webisodes, and DVD trailers.

Where is Kyte now in terms of its technology life cycle?
We have made huge strides since the company’s public launch in 2007. Our focus is on building an enterprise class, online and mobile video platform that global media and entertainment companies can utilize to create content, engage audiences wherever they are, and monetize.

We recently released the Kyte iPhone Applications Framework, which allows media and entertainment companies to quickly and cost-effectively deploy their online Kyte channels as fully branded, highly interactive, native iPhone applications.

MTV, NBA, Universal Music Group, SPINearth and KCRW have all adopted the Framework and launched Kyte-powered iPhone apps. Billboard Magazine recently published a list of the top 5 iPhone artist apps, and two of the apps — Lady Gaga’s “Haus of Gaga” and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s “Tell ‘Em TV” — are powered by the Kyte iPhone Applications Framework.

So, there’s lots of innovation happening here at Kyte and you will continue to see our platform evolve to meet the needs of our customers.

What’s next for Kyte?
You are going to see lots of new and exciting things from Kyte this year in mobile, content management, advertising, and social media. Support for other leading mobile app platforms, and ad networks. Adding more enterprise-class content management functionality to meet the needs of large media companies. And deeper integration with the leading platforms and services in the social web, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Is video the tipping point for mobile communications?
We are certainly seeing more video consumption on mobile devices, and there is lots of opportunity in the mobile video ad space. So I think we haven’t even begun to realize the full potential of mobile video.

What forces will shape the future of the digital landscape?
Online and mobile video, social networking, and real-time communications, I believe, are the significant forces that will shape the future of digital media.

What are the next great technical challenges and how is Kyte addressing them?
Wow, that’s a very broad question. There’s a lot going on right now in our space. HD streaming, content management, and improving live streaming are just a few of the many priorities for us right now. You can expect to see developments from Kyte in each of these areas this year.

What are the nontechnical forces shaping digital communication?
I think what’s happening in society right now is very interesting. We are more connected than ever. And technology is shaping the way we communicate. Innovations like Kyte, Twitter, Facebook, etc., make it much easier to connect and build community. So in our view, what’s happening in society and technology are intertwined.

Your website says that Kyte is a technology for media & entertainment, social networks, mobile carriers, bloggers and small publishers and corporate communications. Can you think of other potential users and uses?
The beauty of Kyte is that if you have an initiative that requires video, chances are Kyte is a good fit for your needs. We’ve seen real estate companies, wine connoisseurs, even weight lifting enthusiasts use Kyte. So, really, the sky is the limit on what you can do with our platform.

Ned Smith is a New York-based writer who reports on business and technology. He can be contacted at nedsmith@gmail.com.