Microsoft, Andreessen, finance separate mobile video ventures

In separate announcements today, Microsoft and its former nemesis, Netscape founder Marc Andreessen, are said to be making investments of undisclosed amounts into development firms that are active in the mobile video space.

Microsoft is now putting money into Move Networks, an already heavily backed provider of high-definition video that claims an ability to eliminate the need for video buffering. Move's customers so far include the likes of ABC, ESPN, and Disney.

Move recently announced intentions to adapt its HD media player to Intel-based mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Ironically, the company Microsoft is investing in plans to use Linux software with its mobile media players.

Meanwhile, Andreessen -- now the chairman of social networking site Ning -- is partnering once again with Ben Horowitz, VP and GM of HP's business technology organization, on a "significant investment" in Qik, a service designed to let users stream live video from cameras on their mobile phones. Qik moved into public beta late last month.

Although Qik's quality isn't exactly HD, Qik users -- also known as "Qikkers" -- have recently started benefiting from new features such as integration with YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, Orkut, Mogulus, and Justin TV. Qikkers include, for example, C-SPAN, which is now using the service as one way of covering the Democratic National Convention in Denver.