Techies lap up ‘unboxing’

JENNIFER HILLIKER FOR METRO CALGARY

January 29, 2009 5:11 a.m.

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As Calgarian Jason Dunn unwrapped his Dell Studio Hybrid computer, about 90,000 Internet viewers watched in fascination.

One of the first to receive the computer, the professional blogger filmed himself opening it and put the video on YouTube, so others could share the experience — online.

“I was the very first one to show that product on camera,” Dunn said. “In one day, it went up by 50,000 hits. If people are interested in a product they’ll lap everything about it up.”

Dunn videotapes himself whenever he gets a new gadget like a phone, laptop or MP3 player, and he’s not the only one. This Internet craze called “unboxing videos” has generated about 65,000 videos on YouTube.

Dunn figures the greatest value of the video unveilings is that others get to see the product firsthand — with authentic, unrehearsed clips.

“They’re very raw, very real, and very honest. I don’t rehearse my videos and I don’t have any scripts,” he said.

Dunn said he produces the videos mostly to attract people to his five websites, where he makes most of his money.

Ryan Felgate, blogger for techvibes.com said that people have to be careful, as he suspects some corporations launch “unboxing” videos under the guise of a regular person.

“I’m not sure if a YouTube video could be an authentic depiction of a product,” Felgate said.

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