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GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

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Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#111

Post by wyager »

odbol_ wrote: post #39
giarc wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think GoPro suffers from two problems. 1. Many people buy these camera's that never use them, or use them a few times but realize editing videos takes longer than they hoped it would. So after a while of non use, they sell the camera. 2. They built a good product, one that lasts and is therefore good for the used market. People are comfortable buying a used GoPro because they know it's rugged and well built. So GoP…

If only they made crappier products that break more often, at least then their stock shareholders would think it's a good company. This exemplifies everything that's wrong with capitalism and planned obsolescence.

"This hypothetical scenario that I just made up and isn't what's actually happening here is everything wrong with capitalism."

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#112

Post by Fricken »

jinushaun wrote: post #50
odbol_ wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean iMovie? How can it get easier than "drag and drop your video, hit share button"

That's not editing. iMovie is only easy if you don't actually edit your videos--arrange, slice, add music and text, etc. Video editing is slow and difficult.

I was thinking about the Snapchat glasses, which I initially regarded as stupid. But when I considered the intimidation factor associated with video editing, it dawned on me that Snapchat's 10 second time constraint effectively forces users to shoot video that is super easy for the masses to edit, arrange, share and aggregate, and within a universally defined set of constraints. So I think snapchat glasses could be huge success. They have a simple, low tech solution for the 'editing video for presentation is hard' problem, which isn't an immediately obvious problem, but it's critical.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#113

Post by gregshap »

WalterBright wrote: post #105
odbol_ wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If only they made crappier products that break more often, at least then their stock shareholders would think it's a good company. This exemplifies everything that's wrong with capitalism and planned obsolescence.

Leica cameras have always been quality products and that didn't hurt them at all. A Leica will last forever.

Leica is privately owned, which does make it easier to choose less growth. As a public company you need to grow or return enough steady dividends to make it worthwhile for people to keep their money invested in you.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#114

Post by wyager »

rhizome wrote: post #101
duncan_bayne wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't answer my question, at all. What is it about capitalism that makes the strategy you describe a) inevitable, and b) worthy of regulation (since you brought that up)? Also, I disagree that the modern economy is unregulated. Quite the contrary, in fact. And it's regulation, bailouts and crony capitalism that protect companies who make awful products.

What is it about capitalism that makes the strategy you describe a) inevitable, and b) worthy of regulation (since you brought that up)? The profit motive covers (a).

No, it doesn't. Consumers value products that last a long time.

This is a big reason Apple is the world's largest computer computer company despite charging more for the same transistor counts. People are actually willing to pay a huge premium for reliable stuff that they don't have to junk after a year. The market gets it right.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#115

Post by carbocation »

Fr0styMatt88 wrote: post #94

So, I'm starting a VR project that's going to need 180-degree (or thereabouts) stereoscopic video. Ready to spend money on cameras and actually get started. "Cool! This should be straightforward, everyone uses GoPro cameras for that, so a I'll need to buy two GoPros!" was my immediate thought. All ready to give GoPro my money. Oh, but they dropped stereo genlock after the 3+..... wait what?!?! VR filmmaking is one of…

I think the Kodak Pixpro is purpose built for what you're describing, for what it's worth: https://store.mypixpro.com/?route=product/product&path=70&pr...

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#116

Post by NoPiece »

rhizome wrote: post #101
duncan_bayne wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't answer my question, at all. What is it about capitalism that makes the strategy you describe a) inevitable, and b) worthy of regulation (since you brought that up)? Also, I disagree that the modern economy is unregulated. Quite the contrary, in fact. And it's regulation, bailouts and crony capitalism that protect companies who make awful products.

What is it about capitalism that makes the strategy you describe a) inevitable, and b) worthy of regulation (since you brought that up)? The profit motive covers (a).

It doesn't cover why it would be an inescapable consequence.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#117

Post by EA »

shash7 wrote: post #106
xor1 wrote: post #59

Can anyone recommend a good GoPro model (or similar product) to pick up for use on a helmet? Specifically while cycling. I once had a Contour, but lost it, and never replaced it.

The new gopro session is looking good. For a higher quality one, get the hero silver. If you're looking for mounts, stick the standard mount on your helmet or use a 'wraparound' mount on the handlebars. (Get one of these)[ https://www.amazon.com/Black-Common-Outdoor-Sports-Session/d... ] You get a ton of accessories for cheap.

I second the Session recommendation. There's one button to press and it "just works". The session is lightweight too, so it will create less torque on your head/neck than other cameras.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#118

Post by asenna »

ghaff wrote: post #103
laserDinosaur wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>My main use case is having it mounted to a motorcycle where I can reach the buttons but can't safely or easily see the indicator LEDs. Is it on? Is it recording? If you get the GoPro phone app, you can do a live preview of what the camera can see and you can fiddle with most of the settings. I usually use my phone to make sure everything is pointing correctly from my helmets pov and then tuck my phone into my backpa…

Pulling out your phone and fiddling with it isn't especially easy or advised in many situations where people use GoPros.

And having the phone connected to your battery exhausts the battery really fast.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#119

Post by Daneel_ »

mikestew wrote: post #58
mtw wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't read your account. What's bad about GoPro? Note : I have an action camera, but it's from Garmin

My main complaint is that it's difficult to determine camera state. My main use case is having it mounted to a motorcycle where I can reach the buttons but can't safely or easily see the indicator LEDs. Is it on? Is it recording? I have some awesome videos of me sitting on a curb in front of a gas station drinking a Gatorade because I thought it was recording the whole time, and it turns out that when I pulled up and…

I find the audio cues particularly useful - turn them on, set them loud and learn them well. Before this I used to be really frustrated as well, so I completely sympathise.

I motorbike, mountain bike, rock climb and race cars with the gopro, and the only thing I pay attention to is the audio cues.

Re: GoPro shows its vulnerability after horrific Q3 earnings

#120

Post by tolmasky »

odbol_ wrote: post #39
giarc wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think GoPro suffers from two problems. 1. Many people buy these camera's that never use them, or use them a few times but realize editing videos takes longer than they hoped it would. So after a while of non use, they sell the camera. 2. They built a good product, one that lasts and is therefore good for the used market. People are comfortable buying a used GoPro because they know it's rugged and well built. So GoP…

If only they made crappier products that break more often, at least then their stock shareholders would think it's a good company. This exemplifies everything that's wrong with capitalism and planned obsolescence.

That's the second half of the equation. The first half was "video editing is harder than they hoped so they sell it". Maybe focus on making the product EVEN better (vs worse) by identifying how to make the process after the video is shot better. Aka don't ruin resale value, instead focus on WHY people are reselling them and fix that. Maybe make an iMovie style tool for common go pro uses.
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