Skype co-founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis have taken the wraps off their new venture, which was codenamed The Venice Project, but is now called... Joost. Well, I guess the domain name was available. So what is it? An internet TV venture that the duo says combines the best of TV with Web 2.0-style choice, control and flexibility.
At its core, it's pretty TV-like, with programmes, channels and ads - the latter is presumably where the revenues are going to come from. Around that is full-featured search functionality and social networking features including chat. It's PC-only at the moment, although Mac and Linux versions are in development.
As a Mac owner, I'll be waiting with baited breath, but for now you can sign up to the beta, check out some screenshots of Joost in action, and find out more on the official blog.
"People are looking for increased choice and flexibility in their TV experience, while the entertainment industry needs to retain control over their content," says CEO Fredrik de Wahl. "With Joost, we’ve married that consumer desire with the industry’s interests. The Joost name has global appeal, embodies fun and energy, and will come to define the ’best of TV and the best of the Internet’".