Video Marketing – Pixetell: a Review

by Robert Love

I hope you enjoy this episode of ‘The Tuesday Tool’.  It follows a slightly different format then usual in that there’s a lot more content.  This week we have an interview with Sebastian Rapport, CEO of Pixetell and a Pixetell Software Review.

What is Pixetell?

It’s essentially software for recording the contents of your screen, your webcam and also enables sharing of documents in the Pixetell Video.  You can easily embed the recorded Pixetell’s into your blog or website or email a link to the recorded video on to a sales prospect or customer for example or collaborate with your web designer without having to spend ages writing what you want to say in an email.

Interview with Sebastian Rapport

by Robert Love

So many people love listening to entrepreneurial type interviews (including me) as they can be very inspiring. I started with asking Sebastian for some background on how Pixetell started and went on to discuss the product, comparisons with their rivals, social media, video and its role in marketing and more.

I’d like to thank Sebastian Rapport and Dan Cook for their efforts also, so thank you guys.

That’s enough of me for now, enjoy the Pixetell’s and let me know if you have any comments or questions, greatly appreciated.

Easy Does It

Think of Pixetell as the instant pudding of business communications. Just like that kitchen wonder, this software program increases efficiency and is easy to set up. Pixetell allows you to create informative screencasts without going through any complicated steps. Currently, the app is only compatible with PCs, but it seems to have garnered an enthusiastic fan base on the Web. We can see why. The screencasts are pretty dynamic and can handle attachments, voice recordings, webcam videos and more. The price isn’t bad either considering what other companies are charging for the same technology.

Pixetell excells in classroom review of education potential

December 24, 2009

Recently, Ontier approached educator Ken Royal to review Pixetell. Royal is “headmaster” of the educational web site The Educators’ Royal Treatment, where “Educators and education technology leaders share ideas and success stories.” The following are excerpts from and links to three reviews that the study has produced to date.

Ken Royal becomes a Pixetell convert

Ken Royal, at left, was impressed by the educational potential he saw in the  product. Pixetell, he wrote on his site, “shouts education. I've been playing around with this easy to use video, audio, documents, drag and drop collaboration solution all morning. It uses regular e-mail to send a URL to your video, audio, or typed communication. The link opens in any browser. It completely takes away the challenge of piecing together two or more tools to do the same thing.” His entire initial response can be read here.

World’s Youngest Teacher digs deep to review Pixetell

Next to report in from the front lines of the educational testing grounds was Adora Svitak, who bills herself on Royal Treatment as “the world’s youngest teacher.” She is one of Ken Royal’s product reviewers on the Pixetell project.

Adora devoted quite a lengthy post to describing Pixetell’s capabilities, its potential for adapting to the educational market, and how it compares to competing products. “I think that Pixetell’s user-friendly interface is ideal for education, and I also like smaller things, like the convenience of the small, unobtrusive start button at the top of the screen.  …  I also really like that, when you move your mouse around, viewers don’t just have to squint to see the pointer icon—in the finished video, Pixetell actually gives the pointer a big round blue highlight so it’s easier to see where you’re pointing.”

Her entire post can be found here.

Chris Gaines is a stickler for precise communications. The superintendant of the Wright City, Mo., R-II School District also admires new technology that enhances the educational management process.

So when he downloaded a free 21-day trial version of a software product called Pixetell (www.pixetell.com), he was immediately intrigued by it. Pixetell enables the user to quickly add voice, screen recording and video to e-mail or electronic documents. The message can be sent by e-mail to as many recipients as desired, to be opened and reviewed at the recipient’s convenience. Messages can also be secured and sent to a limited audience.

Gaines was impressed by the clarity and consistency that the rich messaging tool gave to the first of his weekly messages to staff that he created with Pixetell.

“There’s a learning curve with it but there’s nothing difficult about it. It’s ridiculously easy,” Gaines says. “What we really like about Pixetell is that everyone gets the same message. You can’t misread tone as in e-mail. You can hear inflection. And the messages don’t get changed as they go from person to person.”

New Pixetell Hyperlens Technology Reinvents the Webcam

December 24, 2009

Hyperlens is a breakthrough for video communication and screen recording applications that allows people to embed their webcam into their computer screens with creative lenses to show and share anything from photos to business applications.

Ontier Inc., developer of Pixetell, announced the availability of an exciting new webcam technology: the Pixetell Hyperlens(TM).

The Hyperlens is new webcam technology, produced by Ontier that allows the user extensive flexibility when using the webcam as part of a recorded video communication. (See the Hyperlens in action http://pixetell.com/p001410B4) The Hyperlens allows the sender to speak through the lens as they show and tell about anything they are looking at on their computer screen. Not only is Hyperlens innovative and engaging, but it gives the user an additional tool for clearly explaining website designs, proposals, or even narrating photos.

“Major players are dumping a lot of money into video collaboration technologies and 2010 should be a big year for video,” said Sebastian Rapport, Ontier founder and CEO. “Pixetell Hyperlens goes way beyond simple webcam video messages. It integrates you right into your desktop so you can show and share anything you’re looking at, and that’s where the real value is–in the content.”

New Pixetell Hyperlens Technology Announced

December 24, 2009

Using a webcam is one thing but maximizing its potential is another. However with the new Pixetell Hyperlens technology, the webcam now stands to be a great tool in recording video communication. The Pixetell Hyperlens allows people to embed their webcams onto their computer screens and make use of these creative lenses to help in showing and telling what they are actually looking at. This should be a great tool for clearly explaining website designs, proposals, or even narrating photos.

Subscriptions to Pixetell Basic and Pixetell Pro can be purchased for $9 and $19 respectively with a 21-day free trial. You can download it here.

2010: the revolution of online video?

December 24, 2009

By Bonnie Boglioli-Randall                                                               

There's been significant talk within the web world of the rapid inroads that online video has made in 2009. Recalling how Youtube was not even around a mere few years ago, we are reminded of Moore's Law and how exponential growth in any technology field comes at an alarming rate. Nonetheless, with 2010 just a week away, the forecasts are flooding in. Will the new year be the 'It Year' for video?

In November, industry personnel gathered for the ad:tech conference held in Manhattan. With an emphasis on digital marketing, there were lively discussions on the future of video advertising according to Unicast VP of of Marketing, Bryan Hjelm. With an explosion of made-for-tv content available online and exponential growth expected for the new year, the video industry is rethinking their marketing strategies for a video revolution... little wonder.

Pixetell: Email with pointers

November 28, 2009

By Stephen Baker

I came across a pumped-up email system called Pixetell that could help with a problem I’ve been having. Of late, I’ve been writing laborious click-by-click instructions to explain to people on a Ning network how to change their profiles. Sometimes the written word is a round-about way of communicating.

With Pixetell, it would be easier. You describe or explain whatever you want in your voice as you move the cursor around and click. And then it all goes in an email. The person receiving it might as well be looking over your shoulder. Here’s a video demo featuring my colleague Arik Hesseldahl.

The technology looks useful. It would be great for help desks. Not sure at this point if the rest of us would shell out $9 or $19 a month to be able to generate these messages. (Everyone can receive them, but for now, subscribers have to have Windows machines.) Looks like something that Microsoft and Google could add as an enhancement. In fact, it may compete with parts of Google Wave. But Pixetell looks far simpler. (I started to watch the Google Wave video, but then realized, to my horror, that it wasn’t a minute and 20 seconds, but an hour and 20 minutes.)

When Show and Tell is the Only Option

I've just spent about 10 minutes trying one of the coolest pieces of software I've ever tried.

Pixetell has software that will revolutionize how you show someone something.

Instead of talking on the phone and repeating "Do you see the tiny drop down box. No, not on the right right on the left. Not that box the second box under the red arrow" and this goes on for 30 minutes. After some time you stop in frustration and schedule a time to meet with them.

But not all of the time can you physically meet with someone to show them.

Pixetell has a VERY easy to use tool that lets you capture a live screen shot (meaning as you move your mouse, the movement is capture); capture your voice and capture video.

Pixetell's multimedia emails get more customizable

By Anthony Ha

Pixetell is a service that tries to liven up boring, text-based emails by letting you send links to multimedia presentations (incorporating screen recording, voice, documents, and more) to someone’s inbox. It’s like a richer form of email, or an asynchronous web meeting, where people don’t have to coordinate their schedules.

Until now, however, Pixetells (which is what the presentations are called) lacked one of the key features of email — they’re impossible to edit or reuse. Compare that to email, where you can send a message with similar text to a bunch of people, just rewording the introduction, or you can forward an email after making a few necessary edits.

Pixetell-maker Ontier said that with the new version launching today, content can now be reused and edited.

Enrich Your Email

“Using Pixetell couldn't be easier or more intuitive. After the installation process completes, you're taken to the Pixetell interface, which I found to be straightforward and, best of all, completely non-intrusive.” … “In my opinion, the Pixetell software is the latest must-have application. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.” … “Overall rating 10”

Pixetell Adds Video and Voice to Online Listings
Pixetell is so easy to use that we literally installed it and then created a Pixetell in less than three minutes. It truly is a simple point-click-talk interface that anyone can use.

Pixetell brings web meetings to your inbox
I imagine this would have been very useful during VentureBeat’s redesign, allowing us to share visual and audio comments, rather than sending long emails with images covered in red circles, or spending hours and hours discussing minutiae during meetings.

Web conference attendees breath sign of relief
...that whole "communication via email" thing is one problem that Portland-based Ontier hopes to fix with Pixetell.

Ontier unveils Pixetell visual communication and collaboration software
Recipients can view Pixetells on their own schedule in a standard web browser, even if they do not have the software installed.

Pixetell turns email into Awesome Mail
Imagine sending an email that opens to a floorplan or spreadsheet, shows your mouse indicating areas as it plays an audio and/or video message, includes your business card and any text message. That's Pixetell.

Pixetell launches visual communication software
The basic idea of Pixetell is that you record messages (audio/text/video) and leave them for your groups and colleagues. Then the other parties can respond with their own recorded messages.

Ontier Awarded Silver Star by TechZulu Readers
This is a great product! I would definitely use this and can see how this could be a real time saver!

What DEMO 09 Offers SMBs
Named a DEMOgod, this show darling could be used by business to enhance collaboration between telecommuters, remote offices, field sales teams, and clients or vendors with minimal fuss

Pixetell aimed at helping companies cut business travel in pinched times

Sebastian Rapport, chief executive of Ontier, traveled from Portland, Oregon, to show investors 'Pixtell,' aimed at helping companies cut business travel in pinched times.

All Hail Ontier, DEMOgod
As any number of applicants can tell you, it's a coup to even be selected to appear on the DEMO stage. So Ontier was way ahead of the game by being one of the only Northwest companies selected.

DEMO 2009 Wraps Up

Ontier, another which I featured in a video I uploaded late last night to YouTube which you can find here also took home a DEMOgod. This firm’s product, Pixetell, creates a way to seriously improve communications via email or pretty much any other medium. If you ever had a hard time collaborating on a document or project with a another person via email because you couldn’t get across exactly what you wanted to say,you’ll find Pixetell a useful addition to your productivity tools, that is if you’re a Windows user. Watch the video and I think you’ll see what I mean, or you can watch Ontier’s DEMO presentation here.

DEMO 09: Doing More With Less
Remote meetings can be a challenge. I have them regularly, thanks to online meeting solutions, but it's sometimes difficult to get everyone together simultaneously…Pixetell, from Ontier, has a simple, elegant answer for that dilemma.

http://blogs.computerworld.com/demo_09_its_the_economy_stupid

Ontier showed Pixetell, on-demand software that lets users create videos to attach to e-mail. Well, it's actually more like videos to replace e-mail -- the idea is to make creating a video as easy as writing an e-mail, with either a webcam or screen recording as video and voice recording as audio. Public beta scheduled for late March, subscription pricing not yet announced.