Live 'video university' Google Helpouts is launched

Google has unveiled an online “video university” allowing people to get live tuition.

The firm has signed up 1,000 providers around the world offering everything from cooking classes to DIY tips.

Those signed up include Dixons, who will offer gadget tips, and educational classes from London tutoring firm Bonas Macfarlane.

Customers pay by the minute, or for a session - a recipe or repair for example.

Firms such as makeup company Sephora also plan to offer free classes via the service.

“Helpouts is a marketplace for services over live video, from music and yoga lessons to healthcare,” said Google’s Udi Manber, who ran Google’s search operation before working on Helpouts.

“We’ve been running this at Google for several months now, and we think efficiency and convenience always win.”

The firm believes live video will become dramatically more popular, and hopes its experience with YouTube will allow it to exploit the technology.

“Live video today reminds me of the beginning of the web, and it will improve in the same way.

There are three areas the web can offer more convenience in - ease of use, removing geographic and time barriers - if you want a personal trainer at 5am, it’s a good time somewhere in the world.”