As for my Flip Video HD device, I will continue to use this device at our events and my personal interviews to record video or as a backup to record the audio for transcribing. I trust it way more than my DV cameras and even my digital and mini-cassette audio recorder and it has done its job well. RIP Flip Video.
You probably have read that Cisco has shut down their Flip Video Camera Business.
After purchasing Pure Digital for $590 million (in stock), the company has announced that “As part of the company’s comprehensive plan to align its operations, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that it will exit aspects of its consumer businesses and realign the remaining consumer business to support four of its five key company priorities — core routing, switching and services; collaboration; architectures; and video.”
That Cisco will “Close down its Flip business and support current FlipShare customers and partners with a transition plan.”
And also to add that 550 employees will receive a pink slip.
The fact is that video mobile phones did make the Flip somewhat irrelevant and digital cameras could do what these Flip Video phones can do as well.
But what I loved about the Flip Video was the fact that a) I can focus my battery power on my cell phone for strictly phone use b) 8GB was a good storage space for my videos c) Running of Eneloop rechargeable batteries, I never had to worry about the recharging issue some Flip owners have had and to say the least, the device has been part of our media arsenal for two years now (and just to note, the two original Eneloop AA batteries just ran out of juice without a recharge after a year and a half) and d) I can shoot in HD at 1280 x 720, worked with my Mac and easy to use (pre-installed with software each time you plug it in or you can use software like iPhoto to download the videos).
When Pure Digital released the Flip Video, other companies scoffed and look what happened, celebrities started using it at events, reporters were using for news coverage and for me, I used it for video interviews, transcribing interviews, to personal family use.
Sure, a new iPhone or Android phone has plenty of capabilities and people who own those phones will have no use for a Flip Video phone. But if you are like me and you are constantly talking to clients and associates on your phone and you have to constantly recharge, the Flip Video does a great job of being a go-to-device whenever I just want to shoot video and knowing that I can use as many AA rechargeable Eneloop batteries (yes, I do feel that Eneloop brand rechargeable batteries are the best in the market) and not having to spend on rechargeable 2 hour batteries for my DV cameras.
In many ways, the Flip Video was one of the most cost efficient investments we have made here at nt2099 because we have always been plagued by dying batteries when capturing video for events since 1993. I personally had to invest in various rechargeable batteries for multiple video cameras and at events, would have constantly search for outlets to recharge one camera while shooting with the other and sometimes having to make multiple trips to my hotel room to make sure that our cameras were ready to shoot video for the remainder of the day. And then spending the night having to transfer the video to our laptops was quite tedious.
With the Flip Video, plug-it-in (I also recommend getting the USB connector wire to your Flip Video) and videos are downloaded and I could easily begin working on them on a video editing software program and have it ready on YouTube and Facebook.
So, I understand where today’s iPhones and Android phones may have made this device obsolete to some, for others who do not want to use their cell phone for primary video use, the Flip Video was an awesome device and it’s sad to see the demise of this product. Granted, you can’t do live streaming on a Flip Video device but that’s the beauty of the iPhone and Android phone and why they cost a bit more. You’re paying a little more for that luxury.
But the fact is, if you couldn’t afford an iPhone or Android phone or simply wanted a device a small device to capture your family, at the beach, at the park, any place… because the Flip Video was economical and often would go on sale on Amazon or Best Buy, this was perfect for the budget-conscious consumer.
But when you come right down to it, the demise of Flip Video goes beyond what is good for the consumer, it is about business and the problem is longevity. The Flip Video’s chances of survival with no unique upgrades would have hurt the company. Today’s smartphones offer so much in features, the Flip Video was seen as a device that couldn’t connect to the Internet, can’t live stream, can’t be plugged in to a tablet like an iPad and needless to say, it faced many challenges if it was going to survive in this competitive technology jungle with devices coming out each year, better than its previous counterpart.
The Flip Video… was there something in development that would have shocked people and become a must buy device in the near future? Or perhaps, would the technology or software be licensed to other companies?
Unfortunately, we will never know as April 12, 2011 will be the final nail in the coffin for Flip Video.
And as for the consumer, if these ultra HD devices go on sale at Amazon, I recommend picking one up. Especially if the device receives a significant price cut.
And as for my Flip Video HD device, I will continue to use this device at our events and my personal interviews to record video or as a backup to record the audio for transcribing. I trust it way more than my DV cameras and even my digital and mini-cassette audio recorder and it has done its job well.
RIP Flip Video