We quickly created ionSolo in response to a discussion we had with Blip.tv on ways in which we could collaborate. It was also a great proof of concept to demonstrate how flexible the ION open-source codebase is. The user interface in the desktop version of ION should just be considered a skin over a powerful engine for media syndication, persistence, playback, and playlisting.

In short, ionSolo takes the same power of the desktop app, and utilizes it in a more directed, focused, and simplified way. It creates a fullscreen, visually compelling blog media player, capable of handling almost any media and encoding type, delivered as an RSS feed or XSPF playlist. Issues of using Java and Webstart aside, we feel that it has great possibilities for enhancing the way in which people experience syndicated media.

The most exciting thing is the great response we’ve gotten from it so far:

• Blip used it at their “booth” during Vloggercon to display the constantly growing pool of videos from the event posted to their service
• Vlogdir has integrated it as a player option for every feed in their directory. Just click on the “Java” option next to each feed. (Thanks Sull! You Rock!)
• Peter has given us some blog love. Maybe we’ll get solo onto Mefeedia soon?

We are building ionSolo as part of the main ION development and release cycle, which means it gets updated about every two weeks. It should still be considered experimental for now, but we may reconsider that label in the near future, as it continues to prove itself as a valuable tool for services and an enjoyable experience for users.