Communicate

Watchitoo Combines Video Chat With Video Watching

Ever wish you could enjoy a video on the internet with friends rather than simply sharing a link with them? New web site Watchitoo wants to let you do just that, combining online video chat with streaming video from YouTube.

Your community video watching can be as exclusive or open as you like, as Watchitoo allows you to set permissions for any video room you create. You can then curate what videos you’d like to include in your room, and anyone who joins you can communicate while watching videos either via an IM-like chat or video chat.

I can’t imagine something like Watchitoo catching on in a very broad sense, but it makes a lot of sense for niche viewing. For example, something like Watchitoo could come in really handy if you’re looking to spend some quality couch potato time with that special-but-currently-long-distance someone. Think you might know of a good time sharing a video at Watchitoo would be worthwhile? Let’s hear it in the comments.

Watchitoo [via NYT]

Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)

  • chaws

    Synchronous video watching can be accomplished with locally saved files (including DVDs, allegedly) using the webapp seetoo.

    chaws

  • AtomFury

    @Dr. Vrein: O_o

    AtomFury

  • sickofitall985

    Tokbox already has had this working for months and months now

  • Dr. Vrein

    @BradleyPhoenix: Holy crap! You have opened my mind to endless possibilities. Muahahahaha!

  • Dr. Vrein

    @sinzen: Yeah, it even says so in the article "special-but-currently-long-distance... someone".

  • Azraeus

    @sinzen: Not viable if you live in different states. I think this is a great idea, but I agree that I don't think it will succeed. I think it needs to be implemented and advertised correctly. Expect it to rise to meteority as a facebook app.

  • sinzen

    just a quick one here, a bare with me on this as I tend to ramble but here's an idea, why not actually head over to your friends and actually watch the video with them at their house?

    sinzen

  • Grant Negri

    That's really quite cool. Especially for the reason you listed, among others, like seeing people's reactions. I like it, kinda one of those "why didn't I think of that?" deals.

    Grant Negri

  • bcingle

    When a Soldier is deployed and wants to watch a video with his wife

    bcingle

  • OCEntertainment

    I used to do stuff like this with Flash cartoons and friends in California (I'm in Georgia) a few years ago. Except I'd just share a link, and then we'd hit play at the same time. Plus several of my friends who have long-distance buddies will frequently set up movie nights with the same idea.

    It was one of the most fun things to go back and forth sharing videos we'd both be watching.

    This looks really great. Except I think I'd like a little better to see it integrated into an existing chat app. But I'd probably still use it as-is, given the opportunity again.

  • maxtheape

    I can see using this as a synchronous activity in an online course.

    maxtheape

  • billzombie

    I think it could really catch on, but more likely for a site like hulu where you can actually watch full movies and television shows.

  • mclifford82

    So where did your MyBoneYard post go? Showed up in my RSS reader, but it's not on the site that I can tell.

    mclifford82

  • apollo89

    cant you already do this on youtube itself? i have done it

    apollo89

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