Posted: 16th Jan, 2007 By: MarkJ
The Voice-over-IP (
VoIP) experts at Skype have taken the next logical step by launching a broadcast quality Internet TV (IPTV) service, which has been nicknamed '
Joost':
The chief executive, Frederik de Wahl, showing off the service in Joost's London offices, claimed that it provided a different experience from other internet television ventures. "We are trying to replicate the complete television experience," he explained as he flicked through channels using the Joost interface on a widescreen television.
"It's full-screen, broadcast quality, you've got instant channel flipping, and interactivity - a viewer can come to us and get all their TV needs."
The service is still undergoing trials, but thousands of people have taken up an invitation to download the software and try it out.
The
BBC News Online item notes that Skype's service is based off peer-2-peer (P2P) technology, which could cause a conflict with quite a few UK ISP's that limit such traffic. Not to mention the usual concern over data usage restrictions.