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I am tired of many of iOS’s issues (lack of flexibility, screensize) and want to get the new Nexus. However, there are many Key features of iOS that I use extensively. I’m looking for some informative insight on Android’s offering.
1.***** Airplay – wireless music/youtube w/e directly from my iPhone. I have no idea what android have in this department
2.***** Music – I use a Mac and I would like to keep itunes. Is there a easy way to sync? Especially wirelessly
3.***** Facetime – is there an equally simple solution? My long D gf uses iOS, so im looking for cross platform here.
4.***** Facebook – iOS facebook sucks, how far along is android now, app, integration etc?
5.***** Notes – syncs automatically with my Mac, I can access it offline after it synced. I tried evernote before but I don’t think it works offline.
Any exclusive ICS features that are used extensively?
Thanks
bennyx8903 said:
I am tired of many of iOS’s issues (lack of flexibility, screensize) and want to get the new Nexus. However, there are many Key features of iOS that I use extensively. I’m looking for some informative insight on Android’s offering.
1.***** Airplay – wireless music/youtube w/e directly from my iPhone. I have no idea what android have in this department
2.***** Music – I use a Mac and I would like to keep itunes. Is there a easy way to sync? Especially wirelessly
3.***** Facetime – is there an equally simple solution? My long D gf uses iOS, so im looking for cross platform here.
4.***** Facebook – iOS facebook sucks, how far along is android now, app, integration etc?
5.***** Notes – syncs automatically with my Mac, I can access it offline after it synced. I tried evernote before but I don’t think it works offline.
Any exclusive ICS features that are used extensively?
Thanks
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Click to collapse
Hey,
1. no idea, sorry
2. There are a few programs that manage sync with iTunes on a mac. Doubletwist (the paid version features wireless sync) might be a good solution for this: http://doubletwist.com/
3. What about Skype? =) I think iOS also has video call functionality https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skype.raider
4. Well facebook for Android also sucks :/ I'd go with the mobile website instead.
5. I'd say evernote is the way to go. It also works offline, at least on mobile.
1. Google music beta stores your music online .
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Apple has a way of trapping you in their exclusive ecosystem of software and accessories. You can find alternative, open solutions, but you may have to purchase new accessories.
If I understand correctly, Airplay is an Apple proprietary solution. I know that DoubleTwist has an Airplay plugin, but I would imagine it only supports playing back audio, not YouTube, etc.
DLNA is the alternative, but is standardized and widely supported.
bennyx8903 said:
I am tired of many of iOS’s issues (lack of flexibility, screensize) and want to get the new Nexus. However, there are many Key features of iOS that I use extensively. I’m looking for some informative insight on Android’s offering.
1.***** Airplay – wireless music/youtube w/e directly from my iPhone. I have no idea what android have in this department
2.***** Music – I use a Mac and I would like to keep itunes. Is there a easy way to sync? Especially wirelessly
3.***** Facetime – is there an equally simple solution? My long D gf uses iOS, so im looking for cross platform here.
4.***** Facebook – iOS facebook sucks, how far along is android now, app, integration etc?
5.***** Notes – syncs automatically with my Mac, I can access it offline after it synced. I tried evernote before but I don’t think it works offline.
Any exclusive ICS features that are used extensively?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 Airplay....There are applications in the Android Market that can handle this.
2 Music-Doubletwist and Airsync - both provided by the same company. They also sync with iTunes.
3 Factime - I use Gtalk application It works on WiFI as well as 3G/4G and hence you can always be in touch with your gf....lol
4 Notes- Gdocs...it syncs with Google and also Google DOcs which not only syncs your notes but all your docs.
5 Google music is very good since it stores all your music in cloud and also gives you flexibility to download, transfer or play from the cloud while on the move.
1. Nothing really like airplay
2. You can use itunes to organise your music and just drag and drip songs onto your sd card.
3. I use the Skype app for video calls
4. The Facebook app is terrible for Android but is integrated well into the os with full contact sync and sharing photos to facebook straight from the app.
5. There are so many great note taking apps on the Android Market there will definately be something you will like
The great thing about Android is that if you don't like the stock Android apps you can always find better alternatives to them on the market.
One thing i really miss from my time spent with iPhone is airplay, used it everyday.
Since jumping on to WP7 i have searched hi & low for a streaming solution and haven`t found one yet.
So my question, is there any video/music streaming option for Mac to WP7 out there?
That might actually be worth developing. Bear in mind that WP7 users who run OS X PCs are going to be an extremely niche market, though. There are two ways that I can see to do it, though:
* Write a WP7 app that acts as a client for a current streaming service on OS X / iTunes. Make sure the stream can be decoded on the phone and that the service recognizes the app, but neither should be too hard (WP7 already recognizes most of Apple's codecs).
* Write a WP7 app that acts as a client to a dedicated media server app. Write that dedicated media server app, for OS X and possibly other platforms. The server would take care of ensuring WP7 compatibility. You'd need Apple dev tools (which is expensive, for somebody who currently owns no Apple hardware) and knowledge of writing good server code, though.
For HTC phones, you can download "Connected Media" from the HTC section of marketplace. Although not the greatest player, it does allow you to play non-DRM music and videos stored in your library (no streaming) to DLNA receivers. I use it to play to my Linksys Extender of my Media Center every once in a while.
@spokanedj: I think the OP is looking for the other direction, streaming files from the PC (Mac, in this case) to the phone. I'm guessing the goal is working around the limited storage on the phone for people with a really big media library.
I enjoy watching tv-shows when laying in bed, so yes im only interested in streaming.
I saw on https://www.emitapp.com/ that wp7 app coming soon.
I used emit on android, it wasnt perfect but i did the job
For those of you not familiar with Rogue Amoeba they are the developers of a very popular iOS/OS X and now Windows application called Airfoil that is capable of streaming any audio source to any Airplay capable device or any device with their "Airspeaker" app installed on it.
As you can imagine they have had great success with this app. Unfortunately they have no plans to develop a version for android. This was made clear in a post in February located here:
rogueamoeba.com/utm/2012/02/18/sending-any-audio-to-android-devices-via-airplay-with-airfoil/
I also contacted Paul Kafasis (CEO of RA) and his response was the same explaining further that Android actively prevents access to it's audio making it nearly impossible to develop an app for android. I've included our conversation below as well.
ME:
I would like to officially submit my request to have the Airfoil app developed for Android.
With over 300,000,0000 android devices sold worldwide as of February 2012 (over 10 times the amount of iOS devices despite a 16 month head start) and another 850,0000 activated every day the potential here is absolutely enormous.
Please seriously reconsider your decision to not develop for android at this time.
PAUL:
Hi Drew,
It's an interesting idea, but at this time, I'm afraid we have no plans for Airfoil for Android. While Android allows for more access than iOS, it's still nearly impossible to grab another application's audio to send it out. As such, Airfoil for Android is a difficult proposition at best.
Perhaps more likely is an Airfoil Speakers client for Android, enabling you to *receive* audio on Android. We don't have any announced plans for that either, but it's likely what you'd see first, before an Airfoil for Android.
Anyhow, we'll keep our eye on the platform, and see what happens!
ME:
Paul,
Thanks for the quick response. I am not a programmer so I won't pretend to know the complexities involved with grabbing the audio output of the device and redirecting it but I wouldn't think it would be extremely difficult to redirect all audio on the device no different than when you plug in a set of headphones or send your audio over Bluetooth. This is what I believe to be the primary feature of your software. Being able to set each app individually to use airplay as a receiver would be nice but certainly not necessary for initial releases. I would hate to see someone beat you to it since you've done such a great job on your iOS, OS X and Windows applications.
PAUL:
Drew,
You wouldn't think so, no, but it is. Android simply does not make this functionality possible, and actively prevents it.
Anyway,
Where I'm getting with all this is that a lot of people would like to see an app with this capability developed for android. Especially now that a large number of devices (receivers, speakers, etc.) in recent years have started to come with airplay compatibility out of the box. People have been requesting this from Airfoil for over 2 years with no response. I was hoping to get the following answered from someone with an intimate knowledge of the capabilities of android:
1. Is it possible to develop an app that is capable of routing all audio on an android device to an Airplay device?
2. If not possible on a locked device, is it possible on a unlocked/rooted device?
3. Is this something anyone on here would be capable or interested in developing?
Thanks for all the help.
Anyone have any opinion or feedback on this? Is it possible is it not?
Negreac said:
Anyone have any opinion or feedback on this? Is it possible is it not?
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Click to collapse
+1
I would LOVE to see an app like that! My whole house is wired for airplay with 6 zones and speakers in all ceilings. Iphones can play music in any room. Only app for Android is Honey Player and that is terribly buggy
It would be awesome if it was just possible to send ALL audio like bluetooth A2DP !!!
I just wanted to add my desire for such an app as well. I have airfoil all set up so I can stream from my laptop to my HTPC but it would be awesome if I could do it from my Android phone and tablet.
There must be a developer on here that could do such a thing and I for one would be willing to donate.
The last thing i want is to propagate the Apple jail cell.. they are the only kid on the block that does not want to play with others... and yes, i own an iPad.
I USED to want to get airplay running in my house but i realised that my Samsung Galaxy Note, Blackberry BB9930, Dell PC, HP desktop, HP laptop, Gateway Netbook and Sony TV ALL support DLNA and so i have stopped caring about my iPad and its audio...
A DLNA app for Ios and an itunes plug-in would be the way to get universality here
Mystic38 said:
The last thing i want is to propagate the Apple jail cell.. they are the only kid on the block that does not want to play with others... and yes, i own an iPad.
I USED to want to get airplay running in my house but i realised that my Samsung Galaxy Note, Blackberry BB9930, Dell PC, HP desktop, HP laptop, Gateway Netbook and Sony TV ALL support DLNA and so i have stopped caring about my iPad and its audio...
A DLNA app for Ios and an itunes plug-in would be the way to get universality here
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Click to collapse
DLNA is fine for streaming media files from one device to another but it is not capable of streaming media from a streaming service. I.e. streaming Google music or Tune In via airplay to your home stereo. Really the only solution to date is airplay or bluetooth and bluetooth just doesn't have the range. AM I missing some other solution?
iMediaShare has Airplay capabilities, I use it to stream to my AppleTV(s).
iMediaShare is not compatible with Airport Express at the moment...I tool would be willing to pay for an "Airfoil for android" type application the key being that it can send ANY audio source to the Airport Express.
Plus 1!
I am still looking for this! My apple days are over, but I still own 3 Airport Express devices and 1 appleTV.
JB has ability to do USB audio. Are we getting any closer to "airfoil-like" app for android. I too have 4 zones set up in whole house audio, and hate my first gen ipad these days. Whoever makes this app will make some serious money on the market.
Any news regarding this...?
Seriously... this would be a gold mine for the developer. There are so many Airplay speakers out there that would make playing music to your speakers so much easier.
Isn't it possible to root your device and send all sound output directly to an airplay device?
Sincerely
L
Airplay for Android? I think i'll try that!
i'll attempt this. If i start now, i think i can have a beta version out by february. I'll keep updated for links and progress.
dcbartlett said:
i'll attempt this. If i start now, i think i can have a beta version out by february. I'll keep updated for links and progress.
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Click to collapse
It may be a bit late now that miracast has been established and is starting to go into devices. It pretty much does the same thing as airplay except a little better. However it's still brand new so there aren't many devices that support it yet.
dcbartlett said:
i'll attempt this. If i start now, i think i can have a beta version out by february. I'll keep updated for links and progress.
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Click to collapse
I'd be interested in this as well. My GF has a airport express that I would love to stream to from my tablet/phone.
Negreac said:
It may be a bit late now that miracast has been established and is starting to go into devices. It pretty much does the same thing as airplay except a little better. However it's still brand new so there aren't many devices that support it yet.
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Click to collapse
While I agree that Miracast duplicates some of the features of AirPlay, that doesn't change the fact that many people already have AirPlay devices (eg AirPort Express) and don't want to buy new hardware if/when it's available.
I would love a "Airfoil for Android"-type app.
However, as a workaround, does this sound like something feasible?
1. Connect Android device to PC via Bluetooth.
2. Setup PC as a Bluetooth speaker for the Android device. (Is this possible?)
3. Use Airfoil to route audio: Android > Bluetooth > PC > Airfoil > AirPort Express (I've never used Airfoil, so I don't know if this is possible.)
Just wanted to add my support for something like this. I would gladly pay money for this app. I have a Galaxy S2 skyrocket and a Nexus 7. I would love to be able to use my nexus 7 as an audio receiver and stream music from my phone (Play Music / Pandora / Songza / etc) to it. I realize I could set up these apps on the n7 itself and play directly that way, but the key is having the ability to control the music from my phone. Additionally, my friends who have Android phones and the app should be able to do the same with relative ease.
Currently I have AirFoil on my laptop and Android HiFi installed on my n7 and stream music that way. That is less than ideal. I don't understand why this is so difficult? But then again, I'm not a programmer.
---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 PM ----------
joelshooty said:
While I agree that Miracast duplicates some of the features of AirPlay, that doesn't change the fact that many people already have AirPlay devices (eg AirPort Express) and don't want to buy new hardware if/when it's available.
I would love a "Airfoil for Android"-type app.
However, as a workaround, does this sound like something feasible?
1. Connect Android device to PC via Bluetooth.
2. Setup PC as a Bluetooth speaker for the Android device. (Is this possible?)
3. Use Airfoil to route audio: Android > Bluetooth > PC > Airfoil > AirPort Express (I've never used Airfoil, so I don't know if this is possible.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that works. I feel like it's kind of overkill and it sucks that you'd have to daisy-chain using both bluetooth and a laptop/desktop. But in the absence of anything else, we have to make due, right?
Airfoil can't intercept audio from the bluetooth stack server, I've tried.
I am also interested in such app
Charles_LV said:
I am also interested in such app
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Click to collapse
We all are. It is shocking nothing has come of this.
It is indeed shocking. I'm guessing there's not a lot of work being done because it is too difficult (though I don't quite understand why that is). I am hoping Google blesses us with miracast in the next release.
It is really interesting how practical it's become to find and gain access to things that easily loved. Just take music, as an example. Music is the oftentimes the most affordable but certainly not at all the worst thing anyone can give or receive from anyone, be it as a present-day, a reminder, a note or an expression of the self to some other.
Just 2 decades ago, if one enjoyed a particular song, one had to buy the entire cassette or CD the song is roofed in. The World Wide Web had yet to become popular and a guitar of the masses to achieve quick use of a variety of data, so that it was hard to obtain back ground on the myriad forms of music and the various artists creating them in various styles. Lacking subscribing to most of the music journals, one was forced to rely mainly on TV programs dedicated to latest pop attractions or shows like VH-1 and MTV.
After gaining adequate home elevators available music and the facts of songs and pictures, only then would one visit the music shops and make a sensible purchase. Then one had to move skip forward through the recording to be able to listen and perform to the song one had been really, really looking forward to hearing and singing along to (and then repeating for an endless amount of times). It's just regrettable and plain terrible if it happened that the one track was the thing worth listening to in the complete album because of the cost of getting to purchase the explained album just for it; but it was a threat one had to take.
Today, its simple to select single, individual tracks from total albums and purchase that certain single track and exclude the rest! It is no further essential to scrimp and save your self merely to manage to buy a CD if one just had enough resources for some songs. And thanks to the web, it is now simpler to listen to snatches and snippets of ones favorite song, or even the complete song it self due to different site providing videos. Technology has significantly changed how people tune in to music, and its now much, much simpler to obtain music for entertainment, not forgetting cheaper.
Easier since there are now specific things like the itunes code generator and the iTunes card which is often distributed as gifts to iPod-toting friends and family members. It is simple to obtain an on the web iTunes gift card and easier still to give away because after all, who not want to receive one? And cheaper since, well, it really doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It still creates an impressive reward since it means that the giver is in with the occasions, and understands what cool and hip when it concerns music-slash-technology.
I'm not that old, but I saved my lunch money to buy Queen albums for a long time in middle-school and high-school. I'm still an album consumer - putting an album on and not having to worry about playlists and flow and such - plus, I tend to prefer bands that can put out solid albums and not just "a few singles and mostly otherwise filler".
I feel that Amazon is a better source than iTunes - that way it doesn't limit the gift-receiver. For example, I feel like I can't get the most out of the iTunes store any more now that I am an Android user and no longer even have an iPod.
I think in another "development" in your chain of events, people are going to be moving away from the iTunes store itself as more and more people are using non-Apple devices for music.
idk, I have the flu and I don't know what I'm doing right now
Hey all,
I have an old (80's-style) full-length cabinet that sits on the floor. It's got a 8-track, FM/AM, and record player built-in, but the radio sucks and the record player is broken. I want to gut the whole thing, install some more modern speakers, install a new record player, and control it all from a tablet or touch screen computer. The big thing I'm looking for is a bit of "future-proofing" so that it can control both the built-in speakers and cast to other devices across the house or even the back patio. We have guests over pretty often, whether to cook out or just hang out in the house. I'd like to be able to pop open the lid of the cabinet and let anybody add/change the music playing, or be able to play the record player throughout the speakers in my house (my wife enjoys the records, while I prefer the convenience of Google Play Music).
I think the best way to do this is through Android, since it's much easier to cast to devices, and I can still change the music playing throughout the house via phones, tablet, and gHomes if I want.
Does anyone have a recommendation for building this solution? I think the most effective way to do this will be to set up the speakers in the cabinet and just plug them directly into a Chromecast Audio. I'll need either a ROM or a home launcher that's more conducive to selecting and limiting itself to a select few music apps & YouTube.
The big hurdles I see are setting up "zones" so that I can pick which Chromecasts the system plays to depending on where in the house we're going to be. I also need a way to feed the external audio (the record player) to the Tablet so it can forward that sound to other Chromecasts. I've looked for how to do this a bit, and it looks like Mozilla figured out a way to do it using a Raspberry Pi. I'm not opposed to this, but I want to be sure that I can use the tablet/computer I build into the cabinet to select which Chromecasts this streams to.
Thanks for the help / recommendations! If I get all of this figured out, I'll be sure to share the end result so people can see how well it all worked out!