It is no surprise that the crisis generated by COVID-19 has changed, or rather revolutionized, the way of life that we knew until the beginning of this year. Actions as simple as going out to work or simply “for a walk”; shopping at the supermarket; even take out the trash! They became complicated and risky routines.
The alternative of staying at home, such a simple and innocuous act, became exponentially complicated, especially because as a society we had reached the point of occupying, substantially or banally, every space of our rest or leisure time. Never before in human culture has “doing nothing” been filled with so many things.
One of the activities that has filled our free time is defined under the new term “infotainment” [infotainment in English], which covers the communication content that we use to entertain and inform ourselves. So, it is not surprising that with the advances we have seen to date in information technologies, infotainment has become a disruptive and thriving company that involves millions of dollars in investments each year, with a rapidly growing ecosystem due to to the obligation to stay at home looking for content for ourselves and our family, and that also helps us successfully overcome the crisis.
At this point in this note, you have probably already thought that if it comes to technology the Startup Nation should be playing a starring role this entire season. And indeed it is. Although many times we don't even notice it, there is a whole constellation of Israeli companies dedicated to the great topic of infotainment. From learning to play musical instruments, editing video content, to handling instant replays of sports broadcasts, it is Israeli companies that are occupying leading positions in specialized global arrangements and deals. This should put BDS promoters in trouble, who would have to go around their homes and offices to boycott Israeli technology, which ultimately makes their lives more bearable.
Thanks to the specialized press, a list of Israeli companies that are setting the standard in the infotainment ecosystem has recently been revealed. They are so successful that their proposals are being absorbed by important media outlets or their use by the public is becoming massive. Their initial capital ranges between $3 million and $260 million, depending on each particular case.
The list includes companies such as WSC Sports. Its technology, supported by the NBA [National Basketball Association] or the Australian Cricket League, provides the “best possible replays” using Artificial Intelligence [AI], which analyzes live broadcasts and automatically marks and organizes the stellar moments, of way that has justified the coining of the term automagic to define the inexplicably automatic.
The company also highlights Wibbit, whose platform uses AI to create online videos of text and images for news—faster and easier. His promise: “Wibbitz gives you the freedom to create short online videos in minutes, without the need for experience,” a promise that has been very well accepted by the important NBC network, for example.
Another Israeli brand that young people must surely be consuming for their creations is the suite of applications from Lightrick's, including Facetune 2, Enlight Photofox, Enlight Videoleap and Enlight Quickshot. All of them dedicated to “reinventing creativity through technology.”
And to arbitrarily cut this note we will end by highlighting the products of JoyTunes Ltd. dedicated to musical instrument learning programs, in which they offer applications such as Simply Piano and Piano Maestro, widely used by piano teachers and reaching up to a million users each week.
The next time an application that makes your life more entertaining and informed catches your eye, check the credits, it is very likely that it will be an Israeli startup.