Joost

Eh? It’s pronounced “juiced,” and is the coolest thing still in beta. By the dudes who came up with Kazaa and Skype, Joost is free web-video. No, not another YouTube. From their FAQ:

“Joost™ is a new way of watching TV on the internet, which uses new and established technologies to provide the best of both the internet and TV worlds. We’re in the process of making it as TV-like as we can, with programmes, channels and adverts. You can also see some things that we think will enhance the TV experience: searching for programmes and channels, for example, as well as social features like chat. There are many more new features to come!”

Basically, you have to download an app to use it, but Joost takes a hybrid P2P system, laces the programming with once-an-hour ads (or so), and gives you free, quality TV on your computer. In the Wired article that introduced me to it, there may even be hi-def later.

So… I’ve signed up for the beta (you can, too, from their home page at www.joost.com), and am just waiting for a password. The screenshots look very good, and they have Windows and Mac clients at the moment, with Linux being planned. “‘Pretty cool, yes?’ Yes.”