Joost Internet TV service is now open to everyone
After nine months of invite-only “beta” testing, Joost, the television over the Internet service from the founders of Skype, has finally ended its invitation-only status to go public with its new 1.0 beta release.
The new 1.0 version of Joost’s desktop software features a significantly redesigned interface, a retooled navigation system and an open API to allow third-party developers to create add-on features for the system. The application is also available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.4 platform.
Joost offers more than 15,000 television shows and over 250 channels to a worldwide audience using peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. The application runs in full-screen mode but requires a high-speed internet connection.
However, its content can’t be downloaded or shared since the service is for streaming only. Content providers can also restrict the availability of the shows based on a user’s IP address.
According to CBC News, the service got a shot in the arm earlier this summer when it raised $45 million US from five investors, including CBS and Viacom. The company has also signed deals with other big media players such as Comedy Central, Major League Baseball, MTV, National Hockey League, Paramount, Sony Pictures Television and Turner Broadcasting System.
Joost CEO, Mike Volpi told Tech Daily that “the company has continued to see large interest in the Joost service over the past several months.”
However, much of the company success relies on its content. Because even though Joost is an add-supported free service, it still needs to be competitive against rival paid services due to it’s still limited content selection.
The company expects that its public debut will win them more than two million users by year’s end.
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November 26th, 2010
I this communicating. Never intellection its so unhurried :) sorry for my english