London - Google has launched an online “video university” to give lessons in everything from cooking to DIY.
The Helpouts service launched recently has more than 1 000 providers signed up, ranging from chefs to psychotherapists.
Users can access the service by searching for Helpouts on Google via their desktop, or downloading the app via an Android device.
Customers will pay by the minute for live video chats with providers – although some firms will offer free sessions to boost their brand.
Providers will give the search giant 20 percent of their fee, which can range from a few cents a minute to hundreds of rands for medical advice and therapy.
“Helpouts is a market place for services over live video, from music and yoga lessons to health care,” said Google’s Udi Manber, who ran Google’s search operation before working on the new service.
“We’ve been running this at Google for several months now, and we think efficiency and convenience always win.”
Google has been testing the service with its own staff, including its in-house nutritionist who used the service to look through people’s fridges at home and tell them what to eat.
It believes live video will become dramatically more popular, and hopes its experience with YouTube will allow it to exploit the technology.
“Live video today reminds me of the beginning of the web, and it will improve in the same way,” said Manber.
“There are three areas the web can offer more convenience in – ease of use, removing geographic and time barriers – if you want a personal trainer at 5am, it’s a good time somewhere in the world.”
Google will also vet those signing up to offer lessons.
“Everybody on the platform is invited by us,” added Manber. “There’s a whole QA team checking background, for the medical field we are checking credentials.”
For firms like make-up company Sephora, it will also be used to replicate free in-store make-up tips.
“We’ll be offering free, 15-minute express tips for people who need coaching,” Bridget Dolan of Sephora said.
Over 1 000 people have signed up to offer video lessons, and in the US certified medical experts can also use it to offer therapy.
In the UK, firms like electronics retailer Dixons and private tutor company Bonas MacFarlane will offer services via the new platform.
Users will pay via Google’s wallet service which holds their credit card details, and the firm said it would offer to refund users entirely if they were not happy with the advice they received. – Daily Mail