What do you guys think about Xbox Music - Windows Phone 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Well its now official, Zune is on it's way out and to replace it will come the apps store and Xbox music. Check out the link below.
http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/microsoft-unveils-xbox-music-812356

From what I've seen, it's pretty much the exact same, sure there will be smartglass, but this is just a rebrand.

theres also a web browser coming to xbox (IE10) but I think it requires kinect. Also the whole smart glass thing is similar to apple tv but in a less expensive way if you already have a xbox and a wp device.
concept: youtube.com/watch?v=FaPp3fMq6hY
(sorry it wont allow me to post the full link cause of the 10post thing..)

I hate the fact that they are killing the Zune brand. I hate even more the name "Xbox Music". I agree that they needed to do something to fully integrate Microsoft's music features (I hope the rebrand Bing Music, also). I think in order to keep the brand alive they should have taken out WMP and continued investing and supporting ZUNE.

Related

[Q] Video Streaming?

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

Develop an Air Play app for Android (Stream any audio to any reciever)

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?
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.

XboX Music on 7.8?

Here is a question that's been on my mind. With WP8 dropping Zune and moving to XboX Music will us 7.8 users be stuck with Zune? Will we get XboX Music or some lame MP3 player? I know people say that all XboX Music is a re-branding of Zune but that is not so because XboX Music and the App Store will be seprate from eachother wheres Zune is intergated.I would like to hear comments, ideas and concepts weather possotive or negative.:good:
Since 7.8 is kind of a major upgrade, that is UI changes and hopefully includes a bit of WP8 features, I'd say there's a fat chance on this one since Microsoft wants a streamlined service across their devices.
I would be quite shocked if Xbox Music and Zune Pass weren't the same on the back end. Zune (marketplace and pass) have existed since well before the WP7 Marketplace, or even before the Zune HD app "store". It is "integrated" into Marketplace on the phone only in the sense that the same UI is used to access both of them, but that doesn't really mean much - for example, near-identical UIs are used for Facebook messaging and SMS. As for authentication, all three of Zune services, Xbox services, and WP7 Marketplace are all tied to the same identifier: your Gamertag (Zune used to call it a Zune Tag, but it was just another name for the same thing). There's no reason to expect rebranding from Zune to Xbox is going to change anything; they'e already the same on the back end!

Does windows rt operate like a tablet OS or regular windows?

By that I mean, can I just download media say from the browser on the SRT and browse it in a file explorer, and click to play?
Do I (will I?) have a choice of music/video player for that file?
also, since there is no outlook, can anyone tell me if they read about or tried how well does the calendar and email apps work? Most review sites are too excited about the OS and hardware they are neglecting talking about built in apps...
Also, are smartglass features within a contained app? Or is it more universal like AirPlay on iPad?
Thanks
More hands-on info on Windows RT in below link. Metro doesn't have a built-in file manager, and for now you'd need to drop to desktop mode to browse files/folders. A bit klunky. Despite all the hype about it, Metro still has many functionality holes to fill. Since file mgmt is a top need, I imagine there'll be 3rd-party solutions for Metro soon enough.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6392/the-windows-rt-review
>Do I (will I?) have a choice of music/video player for that file?
I've not browsed the Windows store lately, but am not aware of any full-range 3rd-party media player, at least not the kind that can handle a wide range of codecs/formats that we've come to expect from Windows players like VLC. As with many needs, it'll be a waiting game for software to catch up.
Smartglass will be an app, although one would expect substantial integration to MS' existing services over time.
http://www.ibtimes.com/smartglass-r...it-help-boost-windows-phone-8s-success-854120
smart glass is still wp8 only?
I know ms is trying to use exclusivity to promote wp, but there are a few million people right now, that would buy this for iphone and android devices.
"Xbox SmartGlass for Android and iPhone coming early 2013, Windows 8 version here 26 October"
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48081/xbox-smartglass-iphone-android-early-2013
It's pretty much mixed, there are many settings that you have to use the desktop control panel. There is desktop paint, calculator, notepad and cammand line. The Office is on desktop. Eventhing metro is more convenient when operating with fingers though.

[Q] Any Miracast pc software options?

I recently picked up a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It supports Allshare Cast, which is essentially Samsung's version of Miracast, but requires an Allshare Cast dongle. I've reached a point where I'm no longer buying a bunch of expensive accessories for a phone I'll probably have for a year or 2.
I also have an iPad 3. Using a program called Airserver, I can mirror my iPad's display onto my media center PC. I thought I would be able to do with with my Note 2 and the Allshare PC software, but the software doesn't support Allshare Cast (and likely never will, since they seem interested in getting people to buy the proprietary dongle). It only supports Allshare Play, which is DLNA and unsuitable since it requires that the recipient device decode the file and won't allow sending everything on my phone to my PC.
Android 4.2 is supposed to integrate Miracast into the OS natively, so I figured I can use this to mirror my phone's display on my PC. However, I can't find any PC software that acts as a Miracast receiver (much like Airserver works for iPhones/iPads). Does anyone know of any Windows software that will act as a Miracast receiver and allow me to mirror my phone's screen on my PC?
Thanks
I too have been looking for exactly this but have yet to find anything. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution soon.
this needs to be possible?? surely this can be done
Gutted.
I was really hoping I could do that for my nexus 4, but I'm fairly sure I won't be able to by any kind of dongle for my old TV
Bump.
I just ordert my nexus 4 and was searching for a windows 7 miracast server but found non.
Acording to Wikipedia its possible
Microsoft does not natively support Miracast in the new released Windows 8 and RT, but Windows software developers can implement Miracast easily, as Wi-Fi Direct is present as of Windows 7[19].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I didnt even found a Dev-Thread...
@SiMBol10: The PTV3000 by Netgear might be the dongle you have been looking for
Does somebody know a Software Solution? Maybe a Wi-Fi Direct tool which can mit modulated?!
:fingers-crossed:
greetz
This is something I've been searching for as well now that I have my Nexus 4.
Has anyone figured anything out for this? I really really want to be able to do this, but cannot figure this out at all
It doesn't seem so yet.
the documentation for miracast is terrible for it to be open there isn't a lot of documentation about how to use and implement i was able to find out about android transporter http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=tZFeed5a7Jq6cfqPbAFfBw&bvm=bv.42661473,d.dmQ
and on the miracast wiki page there is a link to software called mirrorop nothing much outside of this though that I could find http://www.mirrorop.com/
i really want to be able to have miracast software/api/sdk implemented into xbmc that will allow me to have airplay and miracast all in one solution
Keland44 said:
the documentation for miracast is terrible for it to be open there isn't a lot of documentation about how to use and implement i was able to find out about android transporter http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=tZFeed5a7Jq6cfqPbAFfBw&bvm=bv.42661473,d.dmQ
and on the miracast wiki page there is a link to software called mirrorop nothing much outside of this though that I could find http://www.mirrorop.com/
i really want to be able to have miracast software/api/sdk implemented into xbmc that will allow me to have airplay and miracast all in one solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also looking for library/sdk Miracast information but didn't fount anything interesting so far.
I already have multiple devices that can implement this solution : Popcorn Hour, Freebox (French ISP Media player), Raspberry Pi...
There really is no need to buy another device for this, one of these devices must have the ability to implement this very interesting technology.
If anybody have further information about this, I really am interested.
From what I've gathered, Miracast is merely a certification program (sauce), and not an open standard. The Miracast website itself refers to the possibility of buying the specs, for moneys.
Thus, to develop Miracast thingies legally, you'd have to buy the specs (which, amazingly, costs mere a three-figure sum), submit it to the Wi-Fi Alliance for certification, probably wait a long time, and then you're allowed to publish it. Closed source, most likely.
I'm afraid that you are right. What a pity.
mumpfpuffel said:
From what I've gathered, Miracast is merely a certification program, and not an open standard. The Miracast website itself[ refers to the possibility of buying the specs, for moneys.
Thus, to develop Miracast thingies legally, you'd have to buy the specs (which, amazingly, costs mere a three-figure sum), submit it to the Wi-Fi Alliance for certification, probably wait a long time, and then you're allowed to publish it. Closed source, most likely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's close, but it's not entirely true. Miracast is pretty much a certification program, but it certifies devices for the "Wi-Fi Display" specification, which does cost money to access for non Wi-Fi Alliance members to access. $199.00 to be exact. How unfortunate I don't think that there is any technical reason why Miracast mirroring software cannot exist for Windows, especially Windows 8, which includes a new Win32 API for Wi-Fi Direct.
Note: I tried to publish source links, but I don't have enough posts All of the information that I have posted is available on the Wi-Fi Alliance's website.
UPDATE: There are copies of the spec floating around on the internet if you look hard. After a quick look over the 150-ish pages of the spec, I'm still not seeing any reason why this could not be implemented in Windows. It's complex for an amateur dev like myself, but I might take a crack at it.
just of today i saw some news of a piece of hardware called DWD-300 from LG, it's not yet available, but it's a dongle you can connect with hdmi to make older hdmi tvs miracast compatible, it's a wifi direct receiver. maybe you can connect it to the pc as well as far as it has got hdmi video input.
seems they are already selling it in south korea for 110 USD.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/LG-Wireless-...828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7fe6caec
maybe the only possible solution as of right now as far as you are running android 4.2.x
mirrorop(DOT)com/receivers
Found this today, not sure how well it would work, but it's worth a shot. Sorry for the link formatting, don't have 10 posts yet.
jag3498 said:
mirrorop(DOT)com/receivers
Found this today, not sure how well it would work, but it's worth a shot. Sorry for the link formatting, don't have 10 posts yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- You need to ROOT your device before using this sender.
- This sender CANNOT support audio projection.
Let's stay on topic
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
jezra78 said:
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you completely. When I do a search for this, I frequently only find the posts that I myself have made over the years. I can't stand Apple, but no one seems to be able to tell me what separates an iPhone from everything else, and why it can't be done on anything else. Even it's a "Apple will sue you" issue, you'd think that someone in the android community would tell em to get bent, and make it happen anyway. Several apps claim to do this, but none work as flawlessly as Airplay with Airserver or Reflections. I'm on the Galaxy S4 now, and the wait for someone like this for Android is getting a bit ridiculous.
jezra78 said:
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, it's ON.
http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/3/4391124/windows-8-1-miracast-display-support-hotspot-tethering
Microsoft website offers this software for download at 133MB !!
On the tin says:
The file above contains the IntelĀ® Wireless Display Software for Microsoft Windows 7* (32 bit and 64 bit versions)
I'm downloading and testing this now. Will report back.
EDIT: looks like this is wireless display server software rather than client software.

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