Joost 0.9 released with better video and oh yeah, some ads too

Filed under: Business, Developer, Fun, Internet, Video, Windows, Macintosh

Joost 0.9 released with better video and oh yeah, some ads too

by Emily Price Apr 2nd 2007

Joost 0.9 was officially released today and despite my anti-Joost tendancies I rushed to download the new version as soon as I could. Within the first 30 seconds I was logged in I managed to see an ad for Eclipse and T-Mobile which didn't exactly kick things off nicely.

After the initial ad scare however I have to say Joost is starting to get better and I didn't see any more ads. Here are some of the improvements you'll notice right off the bat:

New Username: If you've already got a Joost account then you can no longer sign in with your email address, you instead have to sign up for a username which to me seems somewhat pointless, but I'm sure they have their reasons.

More Channels: This is probably the biggest improvement in version 0.9. There are more channels available now and not more crappy channels you'll never want to watch, actual channels that have real programming you might have actually tuned in to see on TV. Big additions include Comedy Central and MTV which are currently showcasing a few B-list shows like Laguna Beach and Dog Bites Man but will probably add some better programming in the future. This was one of my hugest gripes with Joost up to this point, there was simply nothing good to watch.

New Invite System: Invites are now done through "My Joost" in the player window. You can invite someone to the system while you are watching a particular video. Their invite will say something to the effect "Hey I was just watching this great episode of Laguna Beach on Joost, you should check it out." You can also track your invites directly on the site.

Speaking of invites, we've gotten our hands on some shiny new invites to pass out and we're going to share them with you. Leave a comment with why you think you should be the recipient of one of our invites and we'll pick three people at random and give them a key to the kingdom Friday afternoon.

Update: We picked winners this afternoon (4/6) Congratulations to Rene, Doug, and Mike!

Tags: internet tv, InternetTv, joost, online tv, OnlineTv

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

roarkg said 7:16PM on 4-02-2007

I deserve a joost invite because I'm "at random"

Jacob said 7:16PM on 4-02-2007

Reasons why I think I deserve a Joost Invite:

1. I read this site religiously.......actually
2. I am a college student with no spare money for cable
3. I reeeeeeeeeeealy want one :-)

Please DLS.....Hook a brother up lol

Kenny said 7:17PM on 4-02-2007

I want an invite! I recently moved into a small 1.5 bedroom apartment in San Deigo and no longer have cable :(

So I can stop asking my roomate, I'd love to give Joost a try

kenny-joost@standsolid.com

Mark MacLeod said 7:30PM on 4-02-2007

I'd like an invite!

Choose me because I'm a huge early adopter and this is almost as early as it gets. I couldn't get in the first beta :(

Thanks.

http://www.markmacleod.com

bliks said 7:38PM on 4-02-2007

Hey!. I read the site sight daily and.... blah blah....

I could go on about how I want an invite... but you know... this being random and all... why waste my time?

peterpan said 7:38PM on 4-02-2007

I'd like an invite cause I'm from germany and german TV sucks :D

Logan said 7:39PM on 4-02-2007

Hey, let me try this through our poor brazilian internet connection huh?

Howard said 7:43PM on 4-02-2007

I wouldn't mind getting one of those shiny, new invites.

"The man" is converting my apartment into condos (ugh) and evicting me...I could use some entertainment to take my mind off the impending hassle my life is about to become.

Andrew said 7:44PM on 4-02-2007

3 ppl @ rand0m!!

I want!

Kevin said 7:48PM on 4-02-2007

I want an Invite because I like playing with this stuff when I am supposed to be working :) And if I get any invites I will try and give them to people here....

Abs said 7:53PM on 4-02-2007

I have 3-letter nickname. I can't think of a better reason.

pratik said 8:06PM on 4-02-2007

i wnt n invte bcoz .. i wuz 2 lz 2 rgstr whn thy wr stil opn 2 rgstrations n m lz 2 use cmplte wrds !

William Donaldson said 8:09PM on 4-02-2007

I'd like an invite to Joost because I've been waiting for months to recieve one from the joost website and I STILL haven't. Thanks a lot!

Glucose said 8:10PM on 4-02-2007

Well, to start off my life story:
1. I was born
2. I cried/smiled
3. I turned on my TV and computer
4. Wait, I never got past step 3... Help me get to step 4 by integrating step 3 nicely so I can maybe spend less time doing the two separately.

Come-on, who doesn't want TV on their computer, sweetest deal ever.

Oh yeah, and "I am awesome" -- just for those of you still on the edge.

Chris said 8:14PM on 4-02-2007

I would love an invite because I currently pay almost 200 bucks a month to my cable company and I want to show my wife that we don't have to pay that much just so she can watch reality tv 24 hours a day! Seriously, the only thing I can't get her to accept is being unable to just channel surf and watch 'something' anytime she wants. I would love to have joost on our media center pc!

Bannana said 8:15PM on 4-02-2007

Hay I have some invites to I can invite people with!

Prashanth said 8:21PM on 4-02-2007

Please try to send one. Waiting for a long time now with no luck. Thanks in advance.

aficiomaquinas said 8:22PM on 4-02-2007

Me! please, I'll live eternally gratefull!

James Lynch III said 8:22PM on 4-02-2007

I'd love an invite too... cause I have a great software testing rig with every OS combo you might want right here in front of me... and cause I waaaaannt one...

Chris said 8:23PM on 4-02-2007

I deserve an invite because I am a guy, and I too enjoy watching episodes of Laguna Beach... though I loathe Cami

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