Joost launched their iPhone application on the App Store this evening, giving users access to 46,000 Joost videos, including major television shows and films. The iPhone has a built in YouTube application already, giving them a serious head start when it comes to video on the iPhone. But archrival Hulu doesn’t yet – giving Joost a little room to maneuver for now.
I’m sure it’s a temporary issue, but the application just doesn’t work yet. I tried to play multiple videos, including the full length version of Men In Black, but an error message reads “The connection to the server was lost. This may be because of poor network quality. Please try again later.” Meanwhile, YouTube videos are playing promptly.
Still, when the app settles down and works properly, it will be a nice addition to the iPhone. Lots of great shows to watch while wiling away the hours on a plane. At least until the battery runs out.
Talked to someone on the Joost team, they are aware of the issue. It’s somewhat working now, though performance definitely remains an issue (the sound drops after a few minutes on everything I watch). They told me that bug may be out of their control, but they’ll look into it more tomorrow AM.
I assume that the planes you use all have Internet, or does this app actually download the video to the iPhone?
I’ve just watched 3 or 4 music videos without any issues. Nice app
So Stoked for this! Soon Hulu & Sling I’m sure…
Its working for me Mike. Did you try restarting the iPhone? (and yes, I am watching Men in Black).
True dat about the battery, Mike! On the money enough for me to use the phrase “true dat.” Man! I mean, really! Where’s the Energizer bunny when you need him? Try to play a bit of Ocarina and then Loopt someone after thinking about them following a song on the Pandora app and whammo! …20% battery remaining.
I probably need to plug ‘er in right now.
(That ‘er is to be read as if spoken by the guy who plays Muldoon in Jurassic Park, in an almost reverent tone, as if in the scenes when he speaks highly of the velociraptors).
Anyone know if the app discriminates content by country? As an Australian, I’m normally blocked from most Joost content, but since apps need user permission to access geodata, I can’t see how they could have managed it.
Wyatt,
They can do it the same way they do it on the desktop – by IP address.
That makes sense, thanks. I suppose it also explains their limitation to usage over wifi.
I just downloaded this app. Works very well except I couldn’t see the Men in Black movie but still pretty nice software.
wow not a great start by joost
Works for me! Can’t wait for Hulu to get their iPhone on, but for now, this’ll do.
Looks like joost got the jump.
I am able to see most of the videos correctly. not sure I am lucky or what.
Haha, good point, but I wasn’t aware that Hulu was competing with the ‘tube… they have entirely different objectives and audiences, right?
‘t seems that Babelgum went out with an iphone app 2 weeks ago.. but is only available in Italy ! I played with the Joost app but was disapointed by the usability ans the video quality, but nice move, Joost !
Can’t play now . Same error
The app works fine now, I think its a great progress for Joost. as far as I know Hulu and Joost have rights limitations concerning mobile phones, the only question is whether the iPhone falls to that category… I noticed they don’t stream ads yet, but guess ads will show up soon.
i installed it for my ipod touch. it says connection error you can only be on a wifi connection. thats all ipod touch has!
This app is sweet as hell! Best App I’ve seen on the Iphone..
When Hulu gets one, I won’t get anything done.
Anyone gets actual TV shows like late night etc… and descent movies like Men In Black outside the US?
I suspect they filter the content to non US residents… suck
Yap just tried a direct link on the desktop to their website and it reads that the content is unavailable in this region… dammm
lol, I have had this problem with select YouTube videos btw….
The app works perfectly for me. Really really good app.
Just been watching a few music videos and they stream well and in decent looking quality.
You can’t see any blockbuster movies from the UK either, but we do get some decent BBC shows like Peep Show – and that works fine.
This is one of the better apps I’ve seen
lol joost app
Great app, I can’t believe they let it through to the App Store, because you can view naughty material.
Yap just tried a direct link on the desktop to their website and it reads that the content is unavailable in this region… dammm