Joost has upgraded the beta version of the Joost client to release .9. An email was sent out to current Joost testers notifying them of the release. I’ve only tinkered with it briefly this evening, but here is what’s new at a glance (from the Release Notes):

• User Registration and Login have been updated to use a user name as opposed to an email address. The client also retains your user name and password so you need not login each time you launch Joost.
• The Invitation System used to send invites to friends to participate in the Beta has been made a part of the user interface.
• Standby minimizes the Joost to the OS taskbar. The Power button pauses the the video, suspends the application, and minimizes it to the taskbar.
• Reception quality has been improved and streaming is more tolerant to poor network performance.
• The UI has been updated for ease of use, including the Channel Catalog.

There are several other features in the release notes which I have omitted. Oh, there’s one more thing—more Joost channels in the Channel Catalog including:

• MTV (Laguna Beach)
• VH1 (Hogan Knows Best, SoNoTORIous, Breaking Bonaduce, Two-A-Days)
• Comedy Central (Stella, Freak Show, Dog Bites Man)
• BET (American Gangster, The Christies, Beef: The Series, DMX: Soul of a Man)

Overall, the application seems to be evolving well. I’m still trying to gauge my affinity level for Joost, but regardless if it is for me or not, I think it will definitely be rattling some cages.

Tags: Applications, Beta, Free, Joost, Peer to Peer, Television, Video

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