Unboxing

What is unboxing? According to Wikipedia:

Unboxing is the unpacking of products, especially high tech consumer products, where the process is captured on video and uploaded to the Internet. The item is then also explained in detail and also can sometimes be demonstrated as well.

Yahoo Tech places the first unboxing video to be for the Nokia E61 cellphone in 2006. According to Google Trends, searches for the term "unboxing" began to surface in the final quarter of 2006.

Early unboxing videos focused mainly either on gadgets or fashion items. However, once the trend took off, unboxing videos were available for, as Yahoo's Deb Amien put it, "nearly every thing that is available for purchase. By 2014 the popularity of the videos were such that some companies had been known to upload unboxing videos for their own products, whilst others sent products to uploaders for free.

Some consider the popularity of this practice is due to the ability of showing the product exactly for what it is without any adulteration advertisers usually make around the product. Being able to see what the customer is getting "can contribute to the decision process. Some users have tried to make these unboxings more interesting by adding special effects or doing them in different ways, such as an underwater unboxing of a waterproof smartphone.

Here's a story from CNN:

Story highlights

• "Unboxing" videos are a growing and surprisingly lucrative genre on YouTube 
• The videos show everything from electronics to small animals being removed from boxes
• There are 6.5 years worth of YouTube videos with "unboxing" in the title
• Unboxers can earn up to $4 per 1,000 views

Although I'm not earning any money from unboxing, I will be unboxing a package I received from Amazon in the next day or two

But why do people watch unboxing videos? Also from CNN:

One reason is purely practical. Unboxing videos offer an unvarnished and honest peek at commercial products. The glossy, heavily retouched images and videos companies share of their goods often vary from what's really in the box. People want to know what they're really getting, whether the product looks cheap or well made, or if there are more parts than advertised. It's research material for devoted comparison shoppers and collectors. 

Some people actually find watching an unboxing clip to be satisfying and enjoyable. As any kid on Christmas morning can tell you, the process of ripping open paper and figuring out what's inside a package is half the fun. (Some YouTubers take the thrill to its literal conclusion and post videos of themselves opening birthday and holiday presents.)

My unboxing video will just be a chance for me to generate some interest from my Facebook friends...a little anticipation is a good thing! Here's my FB post:


So, check out the post and the comments on it and then tune in for the big surprise. I know you can't wait! Neither can I.

Interesting days

Today - Wildlife Day, Newspaper Carrier Day, and Macadamia Nut Day

Tomorrow - Be Late For Something Day, Cheese Pizza Day, International Day of Charity, World Samosa Day and Global Talent Acquisition Day

Next Tuesday - Make Your Bed Day, Hot Cross Bun Day, Patriot Day and No News is Good News Day

October 4 - Vodka Day, Improve Your Office Day, (The website I use for these days froze. I tried using two different computers to access it but no luck!)