n-stream for Android

Maybe folks who buy Naim streamers tend to have Apple products, with no such correlation between Apple and Android.

I for one would rather see windows phone 7.5/windows phone 8 apps rather than android. Even with it's current miniscule market share.

I'd sooner they solved the software upgrade problem and removed the need for a Windows PC simply to keep a streamer up to date. I think that is something they should solve before developing any new apps. Naim certainly don't produce software with Apple users in mind .... it all seems very Microsoft centric to me. The iPad app is the only concession. 

Being both an Android and an iOS user, it shouldn't really matter to me... but it does. Crossy is right, to a degree, in that the lack of support for other platforms must shortly, if not already, be a concern for many users. Systems such as the Uniti and HDX are far from the last word in usability and rely heavily on N-Stream, and other, similar supplemental applications to provide an interface most people would find acceptable for day-to-day use.

Users would not typically purchase a Smartphone or tablet based upon their hi-fi kit, but that is position Naim is putting them in. Whether people like it or not, Android is now the major player and you can be sure Microsoft will also have something to say about it.

During the past few weeks, many of Naim's competitors have stepped up the ante in terms of their product offering and my feeling is that most would be keen to avoid the mistakes made by Naim. This is a changing world, one that favours form over function, and Naim need to pull their socks up if they plan in staying in the competition.

I agree with JackRabbit, already had Samsung galaxy tab (android) & couldn't use it with my unitiserve. So, I bought Ipad2 because of N-serve app (paid for aswell), but Ipad2 turn out to be the best device/gadget I've ever owned.

Welcome to the Forum.

Who needs an Android app, if you can have it all on iPad. Android's been nicked from Apple anyway, I hope Naim will never release an Android app at all - but they probably will.

Bottom line, Naim is no software company, they got enough on their plate already, so any resources going into software development need to be prioritised, Windows and Apple first makes the most sense. Hence, that's what you're getting.

Just choked on my Ice-Cream Sandwich when I read that...

Ice-Cream Sandwich? I hope it tastes better than it sounds...!

“Our lawsuit is saying, ‘Google, you ****ing ripped off the iPhone, wholesale ripped us off,’” the infamous quote reads. “Grand theft. … I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”

Quote: Steve Jobs

No ill feelings then......

I must say I am with Jobs on this one.

Jono

I wouldn't use an Android phone if I were given one for free (OK if all the calls were free too then might consider it) ... there is no validation of the apps, which is crazy .... however, others use them, so I guess Naim has to think about that, 

However, please please please solve the software update problem first and let those of us who don't have Windows still be able to update our kit .... not too much to ask (Linn does it). 

Love the quote from Steve J .... 

I have had the displeasure of owning three android phones, all of them appauling in their own special way. 

I picked up my first iphone last weekend, a second hand 3GS and its just such a pleasure to use compared to android its not funny.

That being said I switched it off prior to an important presentation and the bloody thing turned back on in my pocket.

Not happy.

I think several of you are mssing the point. Like or loathe iOS, Android or Windows Mobile, Naim have created a platform that relies heavily on the need for a secondary tool in order to provide a usable day-to-day interface. They really don't have a choice but to support all Smartphones, especially one that has such a large market share like Android. It just doesn't make sense.

Naim kit is not cheap, so why on earth would any consumer then want to spend another £500 on an iPhone/iPad just to act as a glorified remote control.

You don't have to, you can spend £400 on Naim's own wireless remote display instead

Because the iPad is wonderful - buy one and you'll not regret it; it'll also make any PC you have look tired so you can reformat it in to a Vortexbox. 

I have some sympathy your viewpoint, but I think Naim has to concentrate on getting the software update thing fixed before diversify any further. 

If Naim had gone the open systems route than some of us would have had a go at writing apps, in my case not for Androids though. 

JackRabbit is right - almost ! Apple, or Android, or iphobes are irrelevant - what matters is that the forthcoming nStream playlist functionality should be available firstly through a built-in web browser interface (assuming it isn't), and then through ithings or whatever later. ..........Perhaps the Naim logo should appear bitten!

I bought an Ipad two weeks ago - not for me, but as a present - The more I have been using it (setting up, downloading content, etc), the more I like my PC.

In my view, the best feature on the Ipad is that it supports n-Stream. The n-Stream 3.0 is really great.

To be honest, I also like to be able to rotate the screen in portrait mode. Also the screen on the Ipad 3 looks really good - at least until someone start putting his fingers on it.

0rangutan

I'd be interested in know which UPNP control points allow the volume adjustment if you can share please?

I've just received a new Galaxy Nexus 7, and have installed BubbleUPNP which seems to work well apart from volume, can even add items to a playlist.

A 7" tablet makes a very nice size for a remote so look forward to an Android version of nStream.

iPads are wonderful (we have 2) but the grass is just as green on the other side and Android does afford  more flexibility if you like to tinker.

Richard

Bubble can control volume... you can enable the slider in the settings menu or use any hardware volume control buttons on the device. IIRC, the volume slider is disable by default for phones (it takes up too much space on a small screen) but I have it enabled on a 8.9" tablet.

The one thing that is missing for me is a way to switch the Uniti back to Analogue1 input (which it normally lives on to take tv audio) after I have finished listening via upnp... I have to find / reach for the IR control to do that.

Thanks beeka

I've tried this and it doesn't work on the NDX, I guess that the Uniti is more integrated and can work this way and controling my 202 via system automation just isn't compatible..

Having said this bubble is a fine controller, and very useful when the iPads have been kidnapped by my wife and daughter!

Richard

The biggest drawback of third party upnp apps is that uniti (or other Naim streamers) will not offer gapless playback with them.

Also one problem is that these apps do not offer a maximum volume value to be configured. One of the apps did offer an invisible volume slider a the very left side of the playlist view. If you try to scroll there by accident, you might rise the volume up heavily loud. 

The apps that I am playing around with are:

uPnPlay

BubbleUPnP

Fritz Media

aMedia Control

DK Dlna/UPnP

2player

I had to try them again to give a short description for each. I think the 2 first work best IIRC. One or two of them did not find every upnp server I have tried.

I'm using BubbleUPNP while I wait Naim to port NStream to Android and it does have volume limiting; in fact it is better than that in that it adjusts the volume relative to the setting on the SU so you can vary the effective volume control range (at least that's how it works for me).

Had an iPad for a month but much prefer my Android tablet at half the price - hurry up Naim!

Naim shouldn't loose time on an obsolete Apple technology, and invest on Android app as well as on WMA lossless compatibility...