Internet TV for Intel Macs

Joost offering a limited beta program for its software to users with Intel-based Macs. The interactive software is used to distribute TV shows and other forms of video over the Web using peer-to-peer tv technology, which leverages the computer of users viewing video content to distribute the content to others. Created by founders of Skype and Kazaa, Joost claims to offer a new way of watching TV on the internet: "We're in the process of making it as TV-like as we can, with programmes, channels and adverts." Users can search for programming and channels, which are currently much like playlists of videos that allow users to change channels.

Users can also use an built-in program guide to choose a channel or a video, the company says users may also see an occasional advertisement. Joost also includes social networking features, such as integrated chat.

Founded last year as The Venice Project, the company previously offered a limited group of Mac users access to early alpha builds for testing, but said that it was able to use the cross-platform support within the Mozilla code-base to help speed Mac development.

"We were able to leverage both the tremendous work done by the Client team for the Windows version as well as the cross-platform power of Mozilla," company representatives wrote. "As a result, we have a Mac version that looks very much like Joost for Windows, while behaving very much like a Mac application."

by MacNN Staff