APPLE unveiled an impressive suite of iPhone developer tools and demoed iPhone applications created by major software companies. EA showed the game Spore running on an iPhone, displaying impressive graphics. Salesforce.com, Sega and AOL also showed off new iPhone applications. Starting in June, iPhone apps will be sold through iTunes as well as through a new application that will be included on iPhones, allowing apps to be downloaded directly to the device. Developers will get to choose the price for their apps and will receive 70% of the purchase price. Apple will also add full support for Microsoft Exchange, including push email, push contacts, and push calendars. The additions were designed to specifically address current complaints about the iPhone from enterprise users. Steve Jobs finished with the news that Kleiner Perkins has created a $100 million “iFund” for investing in small developers looking to create iPhone applications. For a full review of the event, checkout Engadget’s live blog coverage or watch Apple’s Quicktime stream on Apple.com.
DISNEY will offer its classic shows online in the near future, according to chief executive Bob Iger. The shows will use either an ad-supported or a subscription model. In related news, Disney’s Stage 9 has quickly reversed its decision to prevent embedding of its new online show “Squeegees.” The show can now be added to blogs, web sites and more using YouTube’s regular embed function. The show will also be added to ABC.com with an embed option.
BEAR STEARNS has issued a thorough 70-page study of the online video market. According to the report, YouTube earned around $31 million in revenue during 2007 and will reach $90 million in revenue for 2008. That number will grow to $277 million by 2012. The entire online video market is expected to bring in $1.35 billion this year and reach $4.3 billion by 2011.
TOYOTA will launch a new advertising campaign for the 2009 Corolla sedan on YouTube next week. The auto-maker is paying $4 million for the campaign, which will feature a special branded section of YouTube that aggregates the top up-and-coming comedic videos on the network. Users can also submit sketch-comedy videos in a $25,000 contest.
CBS INTERACTIVE is launching a new online show called Moblogic, starring former Wallstrip host Lindsay Campbell. (CBS bought Wallstrip for $4 million.) The show will take the Wallstrip stock market model and bring it to more general topics, featuring Lindsay’s man-on-the-street interviews about current issues. Shows will be syndicated via the Audience Network.