The Next UGC Boom Is Coming. Starting Next Month.

You think there's a lot of user generated content out there?

B-b-b-baby, you just ain't seen nothin' yet.

Yes, I just used BTO to reference UGC.

In August, Kodak will be releasing a pocket video camera (the Zi6) that shoots in 720p HD, has a rechargeable battery, and plugs directly (via a built-in connector) into your computer's USB port.

From the product site:

Life moves fast. Grab it in HD. Take stunning HD videos (720p at 60 fps)
Easy upload to YouTube™ with built-in USB
Record hours of video—up to 32 GB worth
View on any HDTV with the included cables
Edit and share videos with the included software CD
Rechargeable batteries and charger included

Photo courtesy of Gizmodo.

Sure, FlipVideo has had their camera out for a while. I have one. I love it.

But Kodak's is 720p with 32gb and optical zoom. For $180. The same price as Flip's (non-HD) Mino.

This is a game-changer. With the Kodak brand attached to it, mainstream consumers will be attracted to the friendly, safe name. This camera (and eventually, others like it) will introduce a whole new group of consumers (later-adopters) to recording, uploading, and sharing of online video.

The product site mentions easy upload to YouTube. At first I was surprised that Kodak wouldn't want those videos uploaded to KodakGallery.com, the former Ofoto. But Kodak isn't exactly likely looking to create a video property -- they have their hands full with the photo prints business. But it does make you wonder if Kodak has it in them to figure out a way to monetize videos in other, more 'physical product', ways.

This very well might represent one of the hottest gifts this holiday season. If the number of FlipVideo cameras I got as corporate gifts last year are any indication, this will be finding its way into many a stocking in December.

Be sure to read Gizmodo's review here.

My only criticism is, what's with the Zi6 name? Why not take a page out of many other successful CE products like, well, iPod, Xbox, Cybershot, and many others? It's not like it's a BMW, it's a video camera, for cryin' out loud.

But be on the lookout for this camera. You might be seeing it everywhere.