Get the Tech Preview version!

Warning: not for the faint-at-heart!

You like the whiff of danger and enjoy taking a risk? We’re looking for users who are interested in trying out the new version of the Zattoo player before we roll it out to everybody else out there. There’s no real danger, of course, – this version is guaranteed virus-free and all – but it will presumably be more unstable. On the upside, you get to move at the forefront of IPTV, test new features, and help us improve the player with your feedback. Which we would count on to finetune the release and get it ready for everybody else. 

There’s a fall-back version if it’s all too much for you: you will at any time have the possibility to switch back to the current, stable release and will also continue to receive the chance to update to newer versions of both the general and the tech preview player.

To the download (Click on “download”, login, and then click on “Get the Tech Preview version” at the top of the page.)

Localize it.

We ran all the text strings that make up our software through Start Trek’s Universal Translator (pictured above), but the results sucked were disappointing to say the least. That’s why we’re now looking for help from our users to localize the Zattoo player in all of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Polish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese, and Kazakh.

If you:

• can translate geek IT-related terms from English into one of the languages above with your eyes shut,
• have done that already for other software applications, and
• won’t ask for anything else in return than our endless gratitude and your name in the “Credits” section,

then our inbox is eagerly waiting for a message from you.

UPDATE: Ok, ok, you got me… I only put Kazakh up there to bedazzle our competitors

Penguins rejoice: Linux gets TV

The wait is over, Linux users out there. We just released the first Zattoo client for the operating system of your choice (and that of Michael Dell). The main supported distro is Ubuntu 6.10, but the package can also be made to work with Fedora Core 6 and OpenSuse 10.2 with a little extra effort.

Can’t wait to get TV on your Linux computer? Visit our homepage and download it now (if you’re in Switzerland or Denmark) or sign up to be notified when we launch in your country.

Feedback, as always, is most welcome.

UPDATE

Here the answers to the most frequently asked questions thus far:

Q: I tried Zattoo on a Linux distribution that is not listed on your download page and it didn’t work. When will Zattoo work on my Linux distribution?

A: We hope to continuously expand the number of Linux distributions on which Zattoo will run. At this time we cannot however provide a precise time estimate, so please check the download page with future releases.

Q: I checked the “Remember Login in Keychain” button, but it always asks me for my login and password. What is going on?

A: This feature uses the gnome keyring, so the gnome-keyring-daemon must be properly configured for your system. For KDE desktops, you will probably have to install and configure gnome keyring. Please see the Linux download page for further instructions.

Q: I tried it on Debian (Etch) and it won’t work. Is there a way to make it work?

A: Zattoo can only run on a system with GLIB 2.4 currently.

Q: I installed from the rpm package and when I run Zattoo it complains about a missing library…

A: Look at the library that it is complaining about and make sure that the package for that library is installed. You may also want to try running the “ldconfig” command on the “/usr/lib/zattoo” directory with something like this: “sudo /sbin/ldconfig /usr/lib/zattoo”.

Zattoo + Vista = Love

The Zattoo Player and Windows Vista met on February 14, Valentine’s Day:

Vista: My older brother XP told me great things about you.
Zattoo [blushed]: Thanks, I’m flattered. But who are you?
Vista: I’m Vista, and I’m much more entertaining than XP.
Zattoo [horny]: Well, I’m entertaining too, so I think we should get to know each other better…

It was love at first love sight. They knew each other (as in “Adam knew Eve”), and Zattoo 2.2.4, the fruit of their love, was born. Download it here if you already have a Zattoo account. Or sign up here first if you don’t.

Parlez-vous français? Parla italiano?

Then the latest Zattoo release is for you! We added 19 top channels, taking special care of our French and Italian friends. You can now enjoy camembert on a baguette and sip champagne while you watch France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5, TF1 or M6. More into spaghetti and lambrusco? Then accompany them with Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3, Canale 5, Italia 1 and Rete 4.

But we didn’t stop there. German-speaking Zattoonatics have been blessed with kabel eins, RTL II, DSF, Bloomberg Deutschlang, n-tv, and ORF 2. While for the fans of the Queen, porridge and Guinness, we are happy to announce BBC Prime.

2.2.2 doesn’t only bring new channels, but also an updated look for the channel browser, minor GUI bugs fixes and improvements, and better support for dual screen displays. The next release will address Vista compatibility.

Wondering who’s behind this bonanza? I guess it’s the guys in the picture (and a few more missing).