Well, I finally got an invitation to try Joost Beta.

At first sight it seems pretty OK, but there is definitely a lack of content to really feel like using it regularly. The National Geographic channel is probably the most “interesting” channel featured as for now.
Speaking of usability, the best thing is probably the almost full compatibility with my Apple remote.

• The transitions and motions are smooth.
• The transparent interface is OK too.
• I also liked the way you can quickly browse channels and programs in the layered player.
• The MyJoost section seems to be interesting, there are clock, chat, IM and the like included in the form of translucent widgets you can stick to your screen. Of course Joost wants its community to develop more widgets. I actually have no use for them, but I can envision some nice use once the community grows around Joost.
• Smart channels are great (even if there is not enough content to make them interesting yet).
• The advertising system seems to be efficient too.

For the rest there is a lot to say:

• The distinction between myChannels and Channel catalog is not necessary, and you can’t swap from one to another with the remote control. I really think those two concepts should be merged, and thus keep the remote navigation consistent.
• In term of “usability of service”, this distinction between MyChannels and the main Channel Catalog, implies a tricky way to actually watch something: first you have to browse channel catalog, then you have to add the channel to MyChannels, then you can browse programs within the newly added channel… hey, that’s a long trip !
• Lack of iconography in channels list: you have to read channel’s name — which are not always very specific — to recognize them. It makes it hard to recognize some navigation functions, but once you get them it’s OK.
• Overall lack of feedback on what is currently selected and where the next click on the remote is going to lead you to.
• No history navigation: there is no way to go back to the previous program. User goes back to the previous program on the current channel, which is more a “browse” function than a true “history” function.
• Search is not consistently located in the interface. Search results are pretty unpredictable and hard to exploit. BUT you can save queries as “mart channels”, which is definitely where TV is going in the near future.
• Joost does not “record” programs, which is in fact a lack of playlist management. In a non-linear TV experience, it seems pretty obvious to grab things to watch and then play them when you want, in the order you want.
• Amazingly, Joost does not list, nor play, content available in my hard drive.
• Joost does not list nor play content available on other web services (YouTube, DailyMotion, etc.)

Conclusion: Joost beta is very promising, and the streaming performance seems to be very good, which is the most important thing. The greatest flaw is to be found in content management: programs, featured channels, smart channels and myChannels are not integrated enough. They appear on different semantic levels and they should be treated as identical objects. There is also a lack of consitency in remote navigation. My recent works show that these flaws can be easily treated.