Why GoPro, Inc. Wants to Eliminate Desktop Computers
GoPro is striving to simplify editing mobile content. Image source: GoPro Inc.
WhenGoPro Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) held what founder and CEO Nick Woodman called the "largest introduction of products in [company] history" last week, its new hardware devices -- namely the Karma drone and two cloud-connected HERO5 series cameras -- naturally stole the show.
But arguably just as important to GoPro's future is the combination of its new Quik editing apps, GoPro Plus cloud subscription service, and Quik key, a keychain-style microSD card reader that streamlines the process of transferring data to your mobile device. Collectively,GoPro claims its portfolio of hardware and software products now represents an ideal "end-to-end storytelling solution."
A mobile future
Users are free to download GoPro's editing apps for both mobile or desktop devices. But Woodman made clear his company's preference for the former during the follow-up conference call with investors, stating:
Perspective is in order
Then again, this shouldn't be a huge surprise. GoPro users have long complained about the hours it previously took to upload, edit, and share meaningful content with friends and family.Morgan Stanley analyst James Faucette evencalled out the companywith a downgrade last December, arguing, in part, that "key challenges of off-loading, storage, and editing content have not been adequately addressed for a product intended to be 'taken anywhere to record everything.'"
Woodman admitted as much in GoPro's painful fourth-quarter 2015 report earlier this year, stating, "[W]e recognize the need to develop software solutions that make it easier for our customers to offload, access, and edit their GoPro content."
As it turns out, eliminating the need to include a desktop computer in that loop is a big part of those plans. And I think GoPro has developed a convenient, ingenious portfolio of simplified software and hardware to solve this crucial problem.
Whether GoPro's efforts prove successful remains to be seen. But if consumers embrace GoPro's desktop-free future, it could be the key to helping the company return to sustained, profitable growth going forward.
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Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends GoPro. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.