Today, I got mail from Joost. Joost is the next big thing in internet TV. And from the founders of Skype and Kazaa.
Why it’s such a big thing? Well, Viacom invested in it already (while it’s still bèta), with a content licensing deal. This must mean that big media companies in general, are aware of the reputation of Joost’s founders. They must be thinking, ‘let’s join them, before they beat us’.
Second, it could be because it actually turns out to be new and good. And then it can be a threat to MSM (the traditional Main Stream Media) indeed. So what’s up with Joost?
First thing you notice when you start viewing, is the fullscreen ad. Technically the difference between a monitor and television screen was already almost gone, now it definitely is with these nice little advertisements. Thankfully, they are short. On the other hand, you see them in between every item of programming. So if you’re watching short clips, like music video’s, you’ll be treated to a commercial much more often then before.
Video (image) and sound quality is good. Not HD of course, but the best stuff I saw was broadband optimum for now. Buffering is pretty good, so no long waits. This is thanks to the peer-to-peer distribution technology, with which the founders already have a lot of experience. Nonetheless, a lot of the code for Joost was acquired externally, much of it through open source initiatives.
The widgets are nice. For example, you can add chat and discussions blocks to the screen, or have a little rating block standing by to star or shoot down any item you’re viewing.
The overall look and feel is fine. The three R G B crystals in the logo and as decorative elements are nicely done, although they already annoy me in between video’s. The interface is clean and simple, no complaints there. The only odd thing is that option lists (system prefs and widgets) are filled with the same options more than once – to fill up the available space. Doesn’t make sense.
The starting content is, as far as I watched good – not great. It’s not much and it’s not premium. But the former will be only a matter of (little) time and the latter is no accident; quality content will probably cost you in the future.
The thing I misunderstood before I got into the bèta test, was that Joost would be launched on TV’s that are able to connect to the internet directly (wireless or with an ethernet cable). Those TV’s are in development and it probably won’t be long before the first versions start coming out. So if Joost manages to be the first and or only provider on those new machines, with this new VideoverIP method, they will score big. Very big.
But it will be a long time before ‘connected’ TV’s are the standard. Which also gives competitors opportunity to copy Joost even before it hits it’s main intended purpose and audience. And then it will come down to who (is licensed to) provide good, varied and updated content. Viacom cutting the mentioned deal is that regard really not that bad a start for Joost.
Watch it? Well, if you can get bèta testing, why not, but it’s defenitely not mass consumer ready. So for now, if you are that bèta freak, watch Joost on your PC or (Intel) Mac. It’s pretty nice.
BTW: I pronounce Joost like ‘host’ but with a J. Pronounced that way, Joost is a regular Dutch name. That might make it sound strange here in Holland, but I find the pronunciation ‘used’ (used content?) much more negative.
