Android interface

Posted by: True Blue on 20 June 2013

C'mon naim I (and Im sure many others) are STILL awaiting release of NServe and Nstream apps for Android. Its the only thing holding me back from Naim streaming.

Posted on: 24 June 2013 by ragman

Originally Posted by osprey:

Let's make an example — if the Android market share is 54% and 1/3 is using the latest version and the app is made (supported) for that there is 18 happy customers out of 100 and if iOS share is 40% with 90% using the latest release that is 36 happy fellows (i.e. double). In ideal situation of course you want to serve both but if resources are limited you have to choose. By the way I am part of that 10% of old iOS users and due to that I can not load the latest n-Stream app which is needed in order to use the latest firmware. And although I understand that it depends on my own choices I still feel a bit disappointed (even more so when the the new version is finally available) and I assume that could happen also to users of older Android versions.

A assume that someone who stream and use an app will have in 90% of the cases the acuall OS in place.

Posted on: 24 June 2013 by osprey

You might be right, the figures I showed were concerning all users. I am only saying that in a way I understand the approach Naim has taken. But I also understand that Android users would like to have the same user experience with Naim as they are having with some other brands. (and just to make a side remark, my next phone could be an Android one if it is not Jolla with Sailfish OS).

Posted on: 24 June 2013 by Jon Myles

The example just about explains it. It's one of the difficulties of programming for Android.

Not helped by the fact that just because it's a new phone it doesn't necessarily mean it will have the latest Android build installed. And the fact that handset makers can and do tweak the operating system to suit their needs.

Posted on: 24 June 2013 by MartinCA

Originally Posted by gert:

MartinCA, which device are you using by its web interface? My naim uniti does not have such an interface. If opened in a web browser only a simple status page is displayed.

I have a unitiserve. If I put the unitiserve IP address into my pc browser (IE) then I get a web interface. The allows me to browse, play, change settings, rip etc etc. it more or less does what NServe does but not so pretty. Works fine. I assume it works on Android but it doesn't work on iOS because it uses flash.

Posted on: 24 June 2013 by JackRabbit

I really don't understand this argument about programming difficulties on Android. The N-Stream app is hardly cutting edge technology* and any developer worth his salt could probably knock out a very workable version in less than a week. I don't know what the underlying issue is with Naim, but it strikes me as plain laziness.

Now before anyone goes berating me, I have access to all platforms and have little interest in getting into an Android vs iOS debate.

*See here for an example of what developers can do on Android, regardless of screen size. It also works from version 2.3 up, which would account for the vast majority of users out there.

Posted on: 30 June 2013 by showdefonds

Hello Naim ! what about opensourcing this development... I guess there are a couple of developers here available to tune this software for different Android versions...

Posted on: 30 June 2013 by Conrad Winchester

Osprey, your answer shows a lack of understanding of Android versioning.

If the application is targeted at API level 8 - froyo, android 2.2 - then the applicatiion will work on about 95% of all phones.

BTW targetting 2.2 for a uPnP control application would not be an issue and would cover all types of android device.

Posted on: 30 June 2013 by Conrad Winchester

Osprey - actually a more up to date view is here

http://developer.android.com/a...ashboards/index.html

Targeting the more modern androids (3.2 and above) still gets you 58% - so there really is no excuse!

Posted on: 30 June 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I do agree, a upnp client is hardly cutting edge and Nstream is a relatively simple but for me delightfully effective control app. I wonder if the lack of Android application is down to commercial/contractual arrangements with who, if anyone, Naim outsources its control app development to.

Simon

Posted on: 30 June 2013 by osprey

Conrad, I have no experience on any kind of programming (and I did not claim to have any) but I still understand a bit about version controls and the work needed to support technologically different platforms in other context. Sometimes you really have to choose where to allocate your resources.

I am sure that if it was that easy Naim would have put the Android app out a long time ago. That doesn't mean that I won't hope that they get it out eventually (sooner the better). Hey, my next phone could be compatible with Android ... (Sailfish runs Android apps if I have understood correctly)