Rhapsody Mix: GDGT, Android & iPhone/iPod News
It’s been a busy few days in the Rhapsody world. We’ve got a lot of exciting stuff going on and, therefore, a lot of things to talk about!
Last night we stopped by the GDGT launch party in New York City to chat with everyone about what we’re doing in the mobile app space. What a great event! In addition to showing folks the new Rhapsody app for iPhone and iPod Touch, we also gave folks an advanced look at our next app – Rhapsody on Android. We’re running it through testing as we speak and will have it live for you before the end of the year. As a teaser, check out this shot of the Android app on the myTouch.
In other app news, we’re happy to announce some upgrades coming to our iPhone/iPod Touch app. We’ve already submitted an update to Apple to fix a few stability bugs, which we hope will go live any day now. What about audio quality you say? We’re hard at work on an upgrade to enhance audio quality as well, which we plan to submit and make available later this month. The upgrade will migrate all song streams to 64k AAC+, and once that’s stabilized we’ll roll with something even crisper. Thus far we’re off to a good start with over 200,000 downloads in 20 days.
Back to last night’s GDGT Launch Event. Rhapsody was one of about 20 companies demoing at GDGT to a mix of reporters, bloggers and general tech enthusiasts (a lot of them playing with their Pre’s). There were super small netbooks from Sprint, a phone engraving service and a cool social media company called Boxee. During the event, a lot of people stopped by our table to talk about the iPhone and Android apps, try out the new myTouch, and ask if we’re working on offline playback. (Yes. Yes, we are.) We’ll keep you posted on the Android app release, but in the meantime, if you haven’t already downloaded the Rhapsody app onto your iPhone with a 7-day free subscription, go do it!
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I have the Blackberry Storm and use Verizon. Am I missing something or am I not allowed to stream music on my Storm while an iPhone user can?
The Storm is Rhapsody compatible through a side loading experience. Streaming Rhapsody over mobile devices is currently only available on the iPhone, but is something we plan to expand to Android, RIM, etc., and is certainly something we plan to work with our partner Verizon Wireless to provide.
I have to say, I’m shocked to hear RealNetworks decided to release a streaming application for iPhone prior to Verizon who, as you accurately pointed out, is partners with Rhapsody.
I’m a Rhapsody subscriber now. I also have a MyTouch 3G. You must need a beta tester or two, no?
Aside from the streaming feature in the upcoming release for Android – Can one use Rhapsody To Go — i.e., subscription downloads on an Android device (such as the Motorola Droid) ? I am a Rhapsody To Go subscriber who currently uses a Windows Mobile phone to do this — wondering if I switch to Android 2.0 on the Droid — will I still be able to do this ? Or do I have to wait for he new app ? Will it include this feature (playing downloaded subscription tracks) ?
I’ve had Rhapsody since 2001and have fewer than a dozen mp3s that ARENT in the Rhapsody format. That was a big oops for me when I got the Droid friday and realized I don’t have anything that can even use the music player. I’m eagerly awaiting Rhapsody app for android.
@ Lacy Kemp or whoever else might have some legit info here…
can android users expect the same suck 64k-streaming version of rhapsody as we got with the iphone?
i love rhapsody but the iphone’s version frankly does not satisfy (sound quality only, and 128 would be fine.) the answer to this is likely gonna tip the scales on my next phone/network purchase, as my current contract has just expired.
@fieldy Have you updated your version on the iPhone yet? We’ve improved it to 64+ AAC which made a pretty huge difference in sound.
@lacykemp-
thx for the quick response…nah, hadn’t bothered and yeah pretty huge difference. so will the android one use that format as well (if it even can, dunno) or will it be a similar work in progress after release?
@Fieldy I’m not sure of the exact specs to be honest. But I’m glad you think the upgrade helped. I think it made a huge difference. Sounds great on the car stereo.
@LacyKemp
Any word on when we can start enjoying the Android App?
Thanks!
Not an exact date yet but it will be very very soon. Thanks!
Can’t wait for the Android version, as someone asked before, will it support RhapsodyToGo like functionality (offline listening)? Any updates on availability?
I can’t wait to see this app get published. I fully expect it to take my droid and experience with rhapsody to the next level.
Looking forward to it!
Lacy,
Hope it is “very, very soon”. The end of the year is fast approaching. This is about the only app I would consider a “must have”.
You stated that the Andriod based Rhapsody App would be available before the end of 2009….Well we are about 2 1/2 weeks from it being 2010. Surely you guys are planning to release the app soon? Do you have a date you can throw at us?
I’m running a Samsung Moment and I’m eagerly awaiting the Android release of Rhapsody. However, like someone else before me, I would also be perfectly willing to do some beta testing since I have a bit of java background
Hey Rhapsody! Will the new droid app support existing Rhapsody To Go subscribers via normal phone to PC syncing? I’m more interested in this than streaming since I spend a lot of time out of range.
Thanks!!!
Long time Rhapsody subscriber…need a beta tester for the Motorola Droid?
any word when were getting the rhapsody app for the android yet like a date or something?
What’s the status on this app? I’m eagerly awaiting. We need music on our android devices!!
I was hoping it would be a surprise Christmas release! nope.
Still waiting…
There aren’t many days left to make a “before the end of the year” release date a reality. Has Rhapsody on Android been pushed back to 2010? If so, are we talking 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, or simply… “When it’s ready. Be patient!” ??
any ides when?????
Hi all, here’s where you can find the latest info on the Android app: http://getsatisfaction.com/rhapsody/topics/is_there_any_new_information_about_the_rhapsody_app_for_android#reply_1720026
Am RNWK holder and long-time Rhapsody2go subscriber.
This is very good news. I bought a ‘droid phone yesterday. I love the Sansa, but it pretty much sits in a cradle@home. I’m hoping that I can register both devices.
Yeah, when?
Lots of of bloggers aren’t too pleased with this new iPad.There was too much hype over it and alot blogers got disapointed.Quite frankly, I for one see great deal of the cool potential uses of the gizmo. Third-party soft for playing music, games, papers and magazines and books, all sorts of good stuff, but they just didn’t really sell it properly (excluding the books). It smells kind of incomplete
I kind of have the same feeling about it. I like some of the ideas behind it and the growth potential the ipad has, it seems to be an attempt at pushing the envelope and digital convergence but as of right now it just seems like a glorified tablet notebook with half the functionality due to the closed applications similar to the iphone.
Hopefully it ends up becoming the next stepping stone to the future though… apple seems to do a good job with that type of thing