Budapest holds a tech secret within these walls of Ustream. This Hungarian startup made waves in the world of video streaming. Ustream was founded in 2007. Two Americans and a Hungarian web developer created it. Brad Hunstable, John Ham, and Gyula Fehér launched Ustream.
Ustream’s main development center was here. It was once located in the Pársi Nagy Áruház on Andrássy Avenue. Before that, it was in Graphisoft Park. This Budapest connection is key to Ustream’s story.
Ustream is a video streaming service. It offers its services in multiple languages. These include English, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. It also supports French, Russian, German, and more.
IBM recognized Ustream’s potential. In January 2016, IBM acquired Ustream. The deal’s value was around 130 million US dollars. It became part of IBM Cloud Video. Later, it was renamed IBM Watson Media.
Ustream’s original purpose was heartwarming. The founders wanted to connect soldiers with their families. These soldiers were deployed in the Iraq War. Ustream provided a way for them to communicate easily.
Many notable figures used Ustream. Politicians like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama used it. Artists such as Kanye West and Linkin Park also streamed on Ustream. Companies like Mazda and universities also utilized it.
IBM has invested heavily in Ustream’s technology. They’ve integrated Watson’s AI capabilities. This helps analyze video content. It also enhances features like closed captioning. The IBM Budapest Lab continues to develop cloud video solutions. It collaborates with other IBM sites. They are working to unlock insights from video using AI.
Ustream faced challenges with copyright enforcement. Their system sometimes blocked legitimate content. This led to some controversies. However, they worked to improve their content blocking system.
So, as you stand here, remember Ustream. It is a Hungarian startup that went global. It changed how people stream and share video content. Ustream’s story is one of innovation and connection. It’s a fitting part of Budapest’s dynamic spirit.