System and method to synchronize video playback on mobile devices

A system to synchronize video playback on mobile devices, comprising:

• a receiver on a second mobile device, the receiver configured to receive, from a first mobile device, a message directed to the second mobile device, the message comprising:
• an instruction to display a video on the second mobile device;
• an indication of a time at which the first mobile device sent the message;
• and
• a video position of the first mobile device when the message was sent;
• a clock configured to record a time the second mobile device received the message;
• a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions when executed by the processor operable:
• to calculate a delay between the first mobile device and the second mobile device;
• to calculate an estimated video seek time for the second mobile device to seek a video position on the second mobile device;
• to seek the video position on the second mobile device in accord with the following relationship:
• p2=p1+s(ds+d)/1000;
• and
• to start display of the video on the second mobile device at video position p2, wherein:
• p1=the video position of the first mobile device;
• p2=the video position of the second mobile device;
• d=the calculated delay (msec);
• ds=the estimated video seek time (msec);
• and
• s=a video frame rate.