Joost is an internet TV website that provides users with access to clips and information on shows, films and music. A built in website search helps users find specific celebrities, titles or topics. Users can also browse by shows, films and music categories. A list of channels and Joost Picks is presented on the homepage. Users can view genre information, overviews, sharing tools, related videos and channels as well as shouts and reviews posted by users. Users can save clips to a queue which is displayed on the homepage. Popular genres, such as action, comedy, drama, news and science fiction, are also presented. Users can toggle each genre by channel, episodes, most popular and most recent.

Visit www.joost.com

Joost was developed in 2006. The project was the creation of Skype and Kazaa founders Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom. The project was code named “The Venice Project” and included an enormous team of 150 developers. Joost signed up with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Productions, BET, MTV, Paramount Pictures, Viacom and Warner Music. The application was recognized for its popularity and the hype surrounding it, but some users feel that it lacks many of the shows they want to see.

Joost is a TV and film website that doesn’t deviate too much from other, similar sites. Users can visit, view video clips and learn about programs and movies. The site is well built, which might give it an edge over less attractive alternatives. The service is practical and users can explore content by genre, keyword or by switching between shows, films and music.

Joost looks as attractive as a user can expect, considering the number of man hours that must have gone into its development. The user is greeted by a sleek blue background and seamless buttons and menus. The site looks as though it was pulled together over a solid foundation. New users can navigate easily and never feel overwhelmed or assaulted by advertisements and other visual obstacles.

A new user can join the Joost community by clicking the white “Sign Up” link in the upper, right hand corner of the page. A pop up box appears and asks for the user’s email address. The rest of the form appears below and requires a first and last name, password, gender, zip code and date of birth. The user is advised that they must check their email for an activation link. The link has to be clicked before the user can login.

Joost is available to all users for free. There are no subscription fees and users can build a queue and view as many video clips and trailers as they like. The service works well, but really doesn’t offer anything that would entice a user to pay for access. The site contains a few advertisement, but most are relevant to the website’s theme and do not get in the way of the user experience.

Joost is an entertaining resource for anyone who enjoys watching shows and films. Users can follow shows and see what others think through reviews. The service is free, which makes it more enticing for newcomers who want to see what Joost has to offer. Users who are looking for a quick entertainment fix as well as serious fans can learn more and enjoy many video clips.

• Video clips can be saved to a personal queue
• Genres help users discover interesting content
• Stats and reviews are available for films and shows
• Most popular and recently added filter options are included
• Users can learn about new movies and programs

Visit www.joost.com