Joost Beta Opens to Public

By Geoff Duncan October 1, 2007

Joost Beta Opens to Public

Fledgling Interent television service Joost, which launched a private beta last May, is shedding its invitation-only status to go fully public with its new 1.0 beta release. Although users are warned the Joost software is still a beta and (therefore) subject to possible problems, bugs, and reliability issues, anyone interested in tapping into Joost’s online video content can now do so.

The brainchild of Skype and Kazaa founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Joost aims to bring ad-supported television and video content to computer users around the world. Although content offers are still limited, Joost as already signed major content distribution pacts—including deals with CBS, Viacom, and Warner Brothers, and CNN—and offers a range of international programming. For now, Joost is computer-only: it doesn’t explicitly support existing solutions to transfer or stream video to televisions or living room entertainment centers, although ambitious users will no doubt come up with homegrown solutions and, should Joost take off, undoubtedly device manufacturers and software developers will line up to support Joost in much the same way they seemingly can’t add YouTube support quickly enough. Joost is working to expand its content offerings: the service claims to offer more than 15,000 shows at the moment, with more added daily.

Joost also incorporates Web 2.0 and social networking concepts, enabling users to comment on programming, share content, and create their own channels.

The beta 1.0 Joost application is available for Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X 10.4.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Smart Home

Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?

The Airper Seagull SE robotic pool cleaner at the bottom of a swimming pool.

The worst part of owning a swimming pool is taking care of it From filter maintenance and skimming debris from the surface to managing chemicals and more, you'll likely find yourself hanging out around the water more often than you're actually in the water. Robotic pool cleaners are designed to alleviate this pinch point of pool ownership by giving you back your time and automating most of your tasks.

But are robotic pool cleaners worth it, or are they a gimmick that still require heaps of manual input? Here's a closer look to help you decide if one would be a good addition to your backyard.
Budget-friendly devices are often a hassle

Smart Home

Best Buy cut this air fryer’s price in half, down to just $25

The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer near food.

If you want your food crispy all over without having to deal with draining a ton of oil, your best bet is to use an air fryer. They're never too expensive and there are always great air fryer deals going on, but you'll rarely find one with a price like this. Right now, the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Analog Air Fryer is half off, moving its price from $50 to $25. To pick yours up today all you need to do is tap the button below. If you're interested in our take, however, be sure to keep reading.

Why you should buy the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer holds up to about 2.5 pounds of food, heats up to 400 degrees, and has easily-removable dishwasher-safe parts. If you notice it is "analog" that is because it has a 60 minute shut off timer to give you peace of mind and an easy way to time your cooking. Of course, this means there aren't a ton of digital options, buttons, and settings. However, this can be a plus for some and possibly you. Not every item in the home needs to be "smart" and less can certainly feel like more.

Smart Home

Revolution Cooking’s high-speed smart toaster is $100 off today

Someone using the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster in the kitchen.

If you're thinking about getting a new toaster for your kitchen, why not go with a high-speed smart toaster? Best Buy is currently selling the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster with a $100 discount, slashing its price to $250 from $350 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so if you're interested, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right now in order to secure the savings.

Why you should buy the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster
Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, and the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster will show you why. With this kitchen device, you'll no longer suffer from burnt or uneven toasts as it's powered by the brand's InstaGLO heating system. The technology will start toasting your bread in just two seconds without any need for preheating. You'll get bread that's crunchy outside and moist inside every single time, which is a huge upgrade over the inconsistencies of traditional toasters.