I can’t really code to save my life so that kind of prevents me from developing applications of any type. Although, I do have a pretty cool Apple Script that will tell me the weather. As someone who is constantly discovering, or being sent, videos on a regular basis I would like a better way of remembering those videos so that I could watch them later.

Inspiration for this came from something called Instapaper. With Instapaper you drag a bookmarklet to your bookmarks toolbar. Then, whenever you come across something you want to read later you click the bookmarklet and it is added to your list of items to read later.

Before I go on and explain this hair brained idea that I have cooked up I should preface it by admitting that I don’t really know if it is possible to create something like this. I understand that there are API limits and not all video distribution platforms allow their APIs full control over their content.

Following along with the bookmarklet idea similar to Instapaper the first step would be a bookmarklet that would allow you to add a video to a playlist for watching later. As an example, someone passes you a link to a video on YouTube but you don’t have time to watch it. You simply click your watch later bookmarklet and continue on with what you are doing. Ideally this solution would not only work with YouTube but also with other services such as Vimeo, Blip.tv or numerous other services out there. Service agnostic, if you will.

At a later time, when you decide that you want to practise the ancient art of procrastination, you can go to your “watch later” page. On your page will be a built in player with all the videos you have saved with your bookmarklet. A playlist will have been created giving you the ability to just click the play button then sit back and watch. Of course since these are the days of web 2.0 you would be able to rearrange your play list with some slick AJAX interface. I would be foolish if I didn’t mention that there would be an opportunity to get in on some social network action. Maybe a one click button to tweet out the link and video title to the source video or a ‘post on Facebook’ button.

Now, this is where I am sure that my idea violates most EULA’s or TOS’s. In a dream world I would also be able to click a link which would then subscribe to my playlist as a podcast. This would allow me to have something, such as iTunes, download all these videos so that I could have them with me on the go.

I have looked for something like this in the past but have not been able to find it. If something like this does exist, then please let me in on it. If it doesn’t exist, then let me know when you genius coders out there have completed it. I will even beta (or is alpha the new beta?) test it for you. This is gold I tell you! Gold!

(Image Credit: Camdiluv ♥ AmmyLynn)

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About the author

Matt
I'm Matt and I share how to build an internet presence through internet business, social marketing, lifestyle design and productivity tools. While here, read about me to learn my story or find out how you can hire me.

6 Comments for Video Web App Idea aka “Watch Later”

Ivan Staroversky

Have you been able to find a solution for this yet ?

Reply

Matthew Hooper

I never did find a solution for this but I keep looking. Boxee lets you make a cue of videos to watch later but that's as close as I got.

Reply

Rav Casley Gera

I guess you could just use starring on YouTube and “liking” on Vimeo to produce a list, but I agree that something service-agnostic would be ideal.

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Rav Casley Gera

I guess you could just use starring on YouTube and “liking” on Vimeo to produce a list, but I agree that something service-agnostic would be ideal.

Reply

Matt Hooper

Looks like someone came up with something similar: http://wacchen.com

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