The juice on Joost

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It's really impossible to follow any tech blog these days without hearing something about Joost, formerly known as "The Venice Project," the mysterious online video start-up from the same minds that brought us Skype and Kazaa. There's been a lot of speculation, a lot of hype (usually involving the phrase "YouTube killer"), and a lot of hush-hush. That's because Joost, as I learned upon signing up for the private beta test, has a very strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Consequently, it's been difficult for me to address some of the more pointed questions that you all asked when I put out an open call for Joost-related inquiries. But I'm going to try to give you all an idea of what Joost really is, based on the kinds of questions that readers asked.

First of all, I'm going to have to apologize to those of you who had highly technical inquiries: because of the NDA, I'm not going to be able to answer anything that specific. There was a lot of interest in how Joost is shaped by its peer-to-peer model, and whether or not that's a viable model for watching online video. My vague answer to that is yes. Even in its beta version, Joost's videos load with an impressive speed and smoothness that can probably be attributed to that P2P structure. The quality certainly isn't HD, but again, I think it's too early to make real calls on what it'll be like in a full version.

Now I'll move on to my intentionally ambiguous answer to what everyone is wondering: Is it a legitimate contender to the "YouTube killer" title? My answer is no. I honestly don't think that Joost is trying to compete with YouTube's extensive database of amateur karaoke stars and cats in scuba suits. YouTube is for the low-budget, the quirky, and the out-there--where viral stars are made. Joost doesn't seem to have much interest in that, or in hosting personal video blog channels (another question we received). What I see this turning into is a competitor for stuff like TiVo, the forthcoming Apple TV, and other services that are bridging the gap between TV and broadband by transporting on-demand and live TV content to the Internet and Web video content to the home television. Joost, with its slick console and channel functions, is clearly meant for professional content. Sorry, cat lovers.

In fact, I would not be surprised at all if the manufacturers of Internet-TV connectivity devices--TiVo, Sling, or even Nintendo's Wii--take an interest in collaborating with Joost to get a hold of the interface and its functions.

But if there's one thing we've learned from the new Internet, it's that slick design will only take you so far. What really makes a piece of webware is the content and community: just look at MySpace, which has overwhelming popularity despite a seriously thumbs-down design. In order to make it off the ground once it leaves its private beta, Joost is going to have to have some impressive content deals with major TV networks as well as community features that are going to allow for legitimate interactivity. It's got great promise, and great minds behind it, but Joost is by no means a surefire hit.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos.

Topics:

Audio and video,

Media

Tags:

video,

joost,

tivo,

skype,

apple tv,

youtube

How do I get an invite to Joost?

by alanpgh February 12, 2007 11:44 AM PST

If someone has an extra invite to Joost, please send to me.

Or, let me know where to get an invite.

Please, Please, Please!

Thanks,
Alan
alanpgh@gmail.com

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Big Mistake!

by igotnotime February 12, 2007 4:58 PM PST

I have had the sense that Joost has been focusing on the bigger networks and frankly I think that this is a big mistake on their part. Not all the online media are cat videos. Many who were looking forward to this were of course hoping for hardware integration but further we have been hoping for the ability to add some real content.

Cranky Geeks, Command N, Diggnation, DL.TV, GeekBrief.tv, Discovery Channel, CNN, and hundreds of other regularly delivered podcasts. This is what a media revolution is! Not just asking for American Idol.

In fact many people do not care about Networks (the man) and prefer user generated media. Not all the user gen material are cats flipping. In fact many of the above mentioned "channels" are back with some major money. There is a reason, the reason? There is plenty of demand for it.

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I am a beta tester

by patrick10128 February 13, 2007 1:00 PM PST

I have been using Joost for a little while now as a beta tester. I don't think that it will replace YouTube because Joost is focusing on big TV networks, not as much user submitted content.

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send an invite?

by aleafalls23 February 20, 2007 4:16 PM PST

would any beta users like to send me an invitation to join the beta testing? i've sent an application but am very impatient... if so, please email at aleafalls @ gmail . com

thanks.

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Buddy Invite

by doublej88 March 19, 2007 2:38 PM PDT

Hey also am interested in testing the beta. Current Beta Testers can invite some friends, so If anybody wants to help me out, send an email to doublej88 (at) gmail

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Joost doesn't work.

by gp84rules April 6, 2007 2:38 PM PDT

Yesterday, I downloaded Joost, and I can't run the program. Youtube is so much better.

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Your subject needs to be at least 10 characters

by simonram April 14, 2007 12:03 AM PDT

all these posts below are from google!

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PLEASE!!! I REALLY WANT AN INVITE

by hollywoodbound April 26, 2007 3:27 PM PDT

Can somebody PLEASE send me and invite to Joost! I have been trying so hard to get one! You can email it to Hollywoodbound@gmail.com THANK YOU!!

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I need an invite!!! connorb91@insightbb.com

by connorb12 May 19, 2007 5:00 PM PDT

I need an invite!!! connorb91@insightbb.com
please

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Invite please

by levine01 May 22, 2007 11:55 AM PDT

please can i have an invite to joost, it looks so coool to levine01@hotmail.com
regards!

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