Joost gets Flashy, works with virtually any web browser

Last month Joost started to launch a browser-based version of its online video service. Up until then, you needed to download a standalone client to watch the TV shows, movies, and video blogs served up by Joost. But last month you still needed to install a browser plugin to user Joost. Now you don't.

The latest version of Joost has a Flash video player. Flash videos are hosted on a central Joost server, so you won't get the marginally higher quality video playback that Joost's P2P service offered. But for many potential users, the convenience factor will make the new Joost a lot more attractive. If you've already installed the Flash plugin for your browser to watch videos on other sites like YouTube and Hulu, you'll be able to watch videos on Joost.

The web site layout is simple and easy to use. My favorite feature is the separation of the navigation window and the video window. You can search for additional videos to watch and queue them up without stopping playback of the video you're currently watching.

Joost still has at least one major hurdle to overcome: The company doesn't have the huge content library that you can find on other sites like YouTube or Hulu. There are certainly some programs worth watching on Joost. I found a few TV excellent TV shows and movies within just a few seconds. But there are plenty of shows I've never heard of and don't really want to watch and a noticable shortage of prime time television content from major TV networks.

Tags: flash, joost, online-video