Why do our online players mimic our TV screens? It makes no sense. It’s a totally different experience and should reflect that. Why not tap into the plethora of information conveyed on screen by supping up the video player? Oh wait, someone else thought of that!
Media/And’s Smart Bar is just another tool in helping monetize online behavior and encourage consumers to purchase items they see in shows. They key to any of these technologies is ease. If I am watching a program online and see a piece of clothing I like – I am most likely not going to go through the trouble of tracking it down and purchasing it. But if that information popped up next to my online viewer and I could buy it right there? Well, that might be an impulse buy. And maybe I will buy that wok in the kitchen scene.
The key is ‘Teeball Economics’ – where buying decisions are made based on how easy and set up the interaction is.