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Today, Cisco decided to nix the Flip line altogether. They fired 550 employees and stopped production of the popular video camera, just months after they introduced the highly anticipated Flip UltraHD with a dock for attachments.
Although I was completely floored when I heard this news, I wasn’t too surprised. Cisco is not really in the video capture area. It doesn’t fit their business model.
So why did they buy it for $590 million?
Why the Flip was Flopped
We are making key, targeted moves as we align operations in support of our network-centric platform strategy. As we move forward, our consumer efforts will focus on how we help our enterprise and service provider customers optimise and expand their offerings for consumers, and help ensure the network’s ability to deliver on those offerings.
-John Chambers, CEO Cisco
Cisco was loosing big (18 percent in Q2 alone), so a re-org was necessary. Cisco will be making some major changes, like this one.
Why not Sell Flip?
Wouldn’t it make more sense to sell Flip to Kodak or Sony? Maybe even Apple, HTC, RIM or Motorola? I am not sure if they held any patents. In fact, there was an issue where the flip was under an infringement issue against Advanced Video Technologies.
Flip is Old, Smartphone Replaces
One thing to think about, with the introduction of the iPad2, you can record and edit video right on your tablet. An iPhone also has that ability. The newest iPhone should improve the front and rear cameras – not to mention the accelerometer can help with stabilization of HD video.
Blue Mic Mikey for Flip on Hold
Talked with Blue Mic today about their attachment for Flip – the Mikey (which you can get for iPod nano). They mentioned the Mikey is officially on hold until they can figure out what is happening.
It’s still sad to see a consumer device that is pretty popular get sidelined. Maybe it’s only inevitable since smartphones (as well as Digital SLR cameras) are getting better in video recording and come with programs to edit and publish.
There are still times where I would want a camera over a smartphone. There are also times I would want a $130 camera over a $700 DSLR. I wouldn’t take my smartphone or DSLR underwater.
If you are looking for a movie camera, you can still get a Kodak Playtouch, Sony Bloggie or Sanyo Xacti .
John Maier from Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com) introduces the Yeti Pro USB 24-bit 92k microphone, which retails for $249. Maier also introduces a Mikey model that works with current Flip camera models that are equipped with a Flip Port. The new Mikey Flip product should be available by Spring 2011 and will retail for $69 dollars. The Mikey flip brings some needed audio improvement to the flip video camera and I really look forward to it’s availability.
We knew this was coming, Ivi is in a battle for their survival. I am going to do my best to do a interview with their CEO this week to have available on the The Morning Tech Show. I am at a turning point with the Podcast Awards, info in todays show, plus how your host is operating with a scratched eyeball all that and more in the show.
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My family has a total of 3 Flip Cameras, two SD and one HD. My wife carries one in her purse, I have one in my car so that if I just happen to see another UFO, at least I will have a chance of capturing some video of it. Seriously though we have been using Flip cameras for a while, and they were used to capture our CES back channel coverage in 2009 as well. One challenge with the Flip Cameras has been the audio quality. So I am pretty excited about the Blue Announcement today.
Blue Microphones announced today Mikey for Flip (www.bluemic.com/mikeyforflip), a professional-quality external microphone that lets Flip Video™ users capture even better sound for their Flip videos. As part of the new Designed for Flip™ accessory line, Mikey for Flip connects to all FlipPort™-enabled Flip video cameras and features Blue Microphone’s premium capsules for enhanced recording of everything from a whisper to a rock concert.
Sadly all of my flip cameras do not have a FlipPort. So hopefully the folks over at Blue and Flip will send me one of each so we can give it a run for it’s money.
Mikey for Flip is plug-and-play with automatic power-on, using a AAA battery to conserve power on the Flip video camera for longer recording time. The compact design of Mikey for Flip will make it easy to use.. Mikey for Flip, MSRP $69, will debut at CES 2011. For more information, visit www.bluemic.com/mikeyforflip.
When it rains it pours someone has opened up the flood gate and I have been inundated with request for proposals from companies wanting to do advertising deals. So I have been burning the midnight oil and will likely pull some 18 hour days over the weekend to get everything pushed out. One more show here in Texas before I head back to Honolulu.
Tiffen Steadicam Smoothie does not yet have a release date, but everyone that saw it wanted one. Designed to be a steadicam for your iPhone or Flip camera this steadicam will sell by the thousands if they can get it to market at a price point that does not scare everyone away. They would not commit to any date or price which makes us wonder if they are having a hard time getting it to a price point that makes sense.
As you can see in the picture it looks pretty cool doesnt it. Makes you wish you could buy one today. We will keep you advised on when this comes to market and will get our hands on one as soon as possible.
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