Nstream for Android

For a moment there I was all excited....

http://www.zdnet.com/android-i...e-market-7000015206/

I am gobsmacked that Microsoft is as high as that. I wish I could see the breakdown for Windows Phone...

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I agree Frank, I'm surprised M$ is that high as well. 

Yes, many are still waiting for Android apps. I think it keeps getting pushed down the priority list for some reason...

Arun

I was dismayed that when I had a demo of a NDX a couple of months ago that it seems that you have to buy some sort of Apple device to use it. This is stopping me from buying one.

Android devices tend to be quite cheap which makes them popular.

I want nstream for regular Windows. Nothing else will do because I need a second PC that will be a tablet with full Win8 (I need to run photo apps).

This issue was among my hangups when I initially began demoing the Naim Uniti. Seems Naim was immediately alienating those non i-device users from their streaming products. 

Well it appears Hoop.la are broadening their software to appeal to Android and other mobile users as well as Apple. (see note from Richard in forum header). The iPhone hoop.la app is to be discontinued in August in favour of a more generalised web experience across platforms... Perhaps we might see the same for Nstream,

After being frustrated at not having N-Stream (I use a Galaxy Note 2), then disliking the limitations of N-Stream on the mac mini (I have to be in front of it, to use it - and it is quite limited in Radio Access of pre-sets etc.) I just bought an I-Pad mini. 

The best (and most expensive) remote control I ever purchased. 

Ooof!

I'm quite amazed at the price people pay for these i-toys with their limited capabilities beyond social media. A PC notebook seems much more useful for the money in the real world .

I do so agree. 

I just hate crawling on the floor to see my Qute screen. 

True as it may be, I think that one should not be forced to buy the best tablet because it's the only one having a dedicated app for Naim.

This leads to the usual confusion, fed by Apple over the years, between best and only. Anyway, while I too wait for an Android Naim app, I believe that Naim streaming gear has IP addresses so, as a temporary solution, one can remote them over the internet opening their web page on any device with a browser.

Or am I wrong?

Max

I used an iPad for a month borrowed from work - it was OK but I later spent my own money on a £150 Android tablet and now I wouldn't swap it for an iPad. 

I asked this question of Naim via e-mail in April. Phil Harris was kind enough to quickly respond with the following:

Hi Peter,

At this time – although we do have the development of an Android version of n-Stream on the roadmap for the future – there are no actual schedules for this to be done.

So I guess the situation is keep watching but don't hold your breath.

Personally an iPOD Touch is not viable due to my poor eye sight so I feel that the requirement to spend £270 for a remote control is bit excessive as it represents an increase of over 13% on the price of an ND5XS and this is delaying my decision to buy a Naim Streamer. At present I use my 50" Panasonic television as the streamer through a third-party DAC into my Naim system and although the sound quality is not up to Naim standards, it is acceptable and convenient and is now much loved by SWMBO so there is no rush to upgrade.

Pete L.

I bug Doug and Jason at every opportunity about this... It's always the same answer.

It just doesn't seem to be high on Naim's list, presumably they don't get much noise about it.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Why would they mention it in the customer magazine if there was no imminent prospect of a release. There must be dozens of 'Android' threads on this forum - let's just hope it's soon...

Despite Android's market share, developers will tell you there are problems in writing due to the very many different builds out there - and the fact that individual manufacturers can and do modify the OS to suit their requirements.

It's one of the advantages of Android - but can also be a headache for developers trying to design an app that will work on, say, 170 different handsets.

Apple's closed hardware/software integration makes it easier.

I'm not saying that makes iOS better - just pointing out the fact.

I've ordered an ND5 XS & will have to put up with using my daugthers Ipod touch as remote until Naim release the Android version which I can use on multiple devices I already own...

As another Naim owner who has an Android tablet I do find it odd they're not actively developing an Android version of NStream. Having said that, I wasn't impressed with NStream on the iPad so an exact port would be of limited interest.

My current controller app of choice is 2player, which works well with MinimServer. It does need better playlist editing though.

What other Android apps are people using to control their streamers?

I'm afraid that you are wrong there - there is no web control for the UPnP clients.

Best Regards

Phil

You can open the IP address of the device in your browser, but you only see some status reports like network settings. As Phil already wrote there is no web GUI for managing your music.

@MilesB:

Android UPnP Apps that you could take a look at.

* BubbleUPnP (my favorite one)

* UPnPlay

* DK UPnP/Dlna Player

* Mediahouse UPnP/Dlna Browser (?)

* ArkMC (?)

I am not sure about the last two apps, if they really can be used to comfortably manage a playlist. I had to test them again.

I just have the obsolete 2player version installed. As it had some problems in earlier versions I did not dare to pay for the new version that does not offer a demo version. So it would be interesting if you could compare 2player with BubbleUPnP if you are going to test this one, too.

On Google Play, you get 15 minutes to try out an app and get a refund if you cancel the purchase. Try the new version of 2player for 10 min (should be enough if you know v1). If it doesn't suit, uninstall via Google Play to claim a refund (only for 15 min from install time). At the worst you pay 2.5pounds to find out you don't like it.....

I've used BubbleUPnP as well. It's definitely the most feature rich, but I wish it had a bit more UI polish. The current version feels faster at loading. I did have one problem where I couldn't get it to stop playing music, but I think that's because I was trying out several different controller apps (including the actual remote) and my Uniti got confused.

The other ones I've tried are:

• Audionet Music Manager - Very fast loading, but doesn't seem to work with MinimServer.
• Linn Kinsky - Another good option, but I'm not the biggest fan of its UI.

Any idea if Naim has published details of the protocol to control the radio? If one of these apps could add that, then there wouldn't be a need for NStream.

I can understand the love of Apple products but they are too restrictive. The whole Apple environment and iTunes especially leaves a lot to be desired. Actually most of the good Android devices can be bought for cheaper than an iPad and allow for more connectivity and expansion. I bought a Lenovo Thinkpad tablet that has USB hosting, SD expansion and a digitizer pen. Granted, it's aimed for a business/power user, but I can do things with that tablet that no iPad can do - really. 

Most of the Android phones have expansion as well and with the latest OS versions, I don't think iOS has the advantage. Most people I have convinced to get Android phones love them and can't see going back to an iPhone. 

I'm not going to get into the iOS vs Android debate any further, or PC vs Mac, either. What we are saying is that iOS is not the only player in the game. Investors have started questioning Apple's stock price and losing confidence as they lose market share. Having an Android app these days should be a no-brainer for any company. 

Is Google taking over the world??? Will they be the next M$ or Apple? Sorry, no crystal ball here.

Arun

I too am ios deprecator: beautiful to look at but so restrictive and eventually you will run  up against a show-stopper restriction - eye-candy for the techno-poor cash-rich.

I use BubbleUPnP because I want to access my music collection in other locations. Had problems with it repeating tracks but that's been solved by:

Settings>UPnP Tweaks>UPnP Action Timeout> change to 40s.

Worked for me so far; just waiting, like everyone else, for the official Naim  app.

Wake up and smell the coffee - Apple is yesterday