Joost in time for the right TV show
Kim Schulz, monday d. 6. february 2012
Ok just days after I have been officially given access as a beta tester on the Venice Project, it suddenly changes name to it real brand-name Joost. Not sure if I like the name, but it has that catchy feeling over it like Google - wonder why I don't feel the same about the name Yahoo.
So what is new besides the name, you ask? Well the website has gotten a graphical liftup (the previous site was all ascii - remember!), and the interface of the program itself has also gotten some graphical enhancements. Unfortunately the still mostly have rather lame contents like music videos and interviews with a stupid blond (aka one hotel owners daughter). There is however rumors that says that more tech related channels will come later.
You cannot signup to become a beta tester anymore (well actually since back in December) but instead they are now using an invites-only concept like the one Google used for Gmail. This means that those who are already beta-testers will get some invitations they can hand out to friends, family or whatever and that way give them access too.
........and NO I do not have any spare invitations right now......
There still isn't a Linux client available so I have to use a spare Windows box for using the client. I have however not had a single problem with the client so far which is more than I can say about the OS it is running on.
So one of the biggest questions right now is: Will this be the next biggest thing on the internet? will it make all traditional TV providers an extinct race?
I am not an expert in such things and sure wouldn't be the right one to ask. I can however answer for myself about whether it would change my TV viewing routines or not. The answer is: It depends!
If the contents they provide is worth watching, I would love to have this kind of tv-on-demand instead of my plain old TV channels. I would not mind having commercials between my shows as long as it isn't as many and as often as on American TV channels - that is just plain annoying.
I love the user interface and the idea about having a community around some tv-channel intriques me. I love talking with my collegues about the latest episode of Heroes and taking this chat with other viewers around the world would make it even more interesting. Imagine sitting and watching a show somewhere in the future and while the viewers discuss the contents of the show, it evolves around their decisions - e.g. the viewers decide that the main actor in the show is boring and suddenly he is sent off to another country while a new person takes over as the new main person in the show. Of cause this is imaginary and something we have to wait for for many many years (if it will ever be available). But it could also just be a simple thing like a talk-show where the viewers can chat and ask questions live with the persons in the show while it is shown.
There are plenty of ideas of how it could be used, but again it all comes down to the quality of the contents Joost provides. No interesting contents - no future!
Other things I would like to see is
- Linux client such that not only the windows users will get access to this service.
- PocketPC client such that I can watch the shows on my new phone (HTC Trinity * more about this one later) while I am on the move. via Wifi or CDMA/3G network.
- A news channel with relevant news from both local area and the world.
- Support for subtitles
I have tons of other ideas but I will probably get into these later.
Now I will go watch some TV shows on Joost!
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