Microsoft's YouTube Clone out in a Limited Beta

In July, YouTube CEO Chad Hurley gave an explanation as to why Microsoft is not interested in acquiring YouTube. According to Hurley, the Redmond Company was building a clone of the video sharing service. Microsoft released on September 18 a limited US beta version of Soapbox associating it with MSN Video. The clone aspect is arguable in a context where the concept at the base of the service is synonymous across different providers and involves the uploading and sharing of personal video content within a community of users. The Redmond Company has not placed the new service under the Live umbrella, but has informed that Soapbox will be intimately integrated with both Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live Messenger.

"Soapbox delivers on a critical component of the MSN growth strategy of deepening audience engagement by enabling people to participate in the content experience," stated Rob Bennett, general manager of Entertainment and Video Services for MSN. "By adding a user-uploaded video service, we are rounding out our existing investments in commercially produced and original content on MSN Video."

Microsoft promises a dynamic and entertaining service delivered via Web 2.0 technologies. On top of offering compatibility with the main video formats, Soapbox's uploading features are tailored to a structure of simplicity, and deliver additional server-based video processing. The Redmond Company has tested the service for compatibility with Internet Explorer 6 and Firefox 1.0.5.

"Viewers can search, browse through 15 categories, find related videos, subscribe to RSS feeds, and share their favorites with their friends - all without interrupting whatever video they are watching. Soapbox users can rate, comment on and tag the videos they view, share links with their friends via e-mail, and include the embeddable Soapbox player directly on their Web site or blog," stated Microsoft in a press release.

As of now, the soapbox service is invitation-only, but Microsoft has promised to make it less exclusive by opening the Beta to additional users in the upcoming period, and has consequently created a waiting list where users can sign up. Soapbox beta testers will also be able to give out a certain number of invitations to friends.