New iPhone app streams iTunes collections anywhere
The developer of desktop software that lets users listen to their iTunes libraries from any broadband Internet connection now has a similar tool for the iPhone and iPod touch that eliminates storage limits.
Called SimplifyMedia (App Store), the app by the company of the same name uses a companion app for Mac, Linux, or Windows systems to share iTunes songs and playlists from both the user's own computer and any of 30 friends the user marks as friends.
Using the iPhone app itself is characterized as seamless and attaches visual song data as well, including album art and lyrics associated with each track.
Importantly, the software isn't limited to a Wi-Fi connection and will work (albeit not as quickly) over 2G and 3G cellular Internet access.
The software is potentially controversial for granting access to music that isn't owned by the user, though the company on its website claims it's legal; songs are only streamed and are only shared between a specific group of users rather than the public at large. DRM-protected iTunes purchases also won't stream through the program.
Hoping to spur a strong early reaction, Simplify Media is offering the iPhone edition of its utility for free to the first 100,000 to download it but will charge $3.99 per copy afterwards. The computer-based software is and remains free, regardless of platform.
SimplifyMedia for iPhone delivers on a remote streaming concept similar to one recently outlined in an Apple patent filing.
Called SimplifyMedia (App Store), the app by the company of the same name uses a companion app for Mac, Linux, or Windows systems to share iTunes songs and playlists from both the user's own computer and any of 30 friends the user marks as friends.
Using the iPhone app itself is characterized as seamless and attaches visual song data as well, including album art and lyrics associated with each track.
Importantly, the software isn't limited to a Wi-Fi connection and will work (albeit not as quickly) over 2G and 3G cellular Internet access.
The software is potentially controversial for granting access to music that isn't owned by the user, though the company on its website claims it's legal; songs are only streamed and are only shared between a specific group of users rather than the public at large. DRM-protected iTunes purchases also won't stream through the program.
Hoping to spur a strong early reaction, Simplify Media is offering the iPhone edition of its utility for free to the first 100,000 to download it but will charge $3.99 per copy afterwards. The computer-based software is and remains free, regardless of platform.
SimplifyMedia for iPhone delivers on a remote streaming concept similar to one recently outlined in an Apple patent filing.
Comments
I've just downloaded it, even though I don't have an iPhone....will save me a bit of money so when I do get one I don't have to buy it, because by then I imagine 100k will have been downloaded!
It works really well. I have it steaming Pink Floyd on EDGE right now... Started in 30 seconds and has been progressing through the album without a hitch. If your connection is not strong enough, it will give you a sever connection error. Overall, it's pretty impressive. It's doing a number on my battery life, however. =P
K
I search for it but it is not coming up on my phone in the app store
Search all as one word "SimplifyMedia" or scroll through the "Music" category.
I'll correct Aidan's post.
K
Search all as one word "SimplifyMedia"
I'll correct Aidan's post.
K
Ah thanks found it under music. Wanted to get this be 4 I get out of work and gots to pay for it. Or apple wises up and takes it away
I'm accessing my cousin's iTunes from my Touch (I'm in Ohio, she's in Scotland), this is cool as hell.
Works like a charm for me, that's a great app.
I will impress my collegues at work tomorrow!
- Still plays and goes onto the next song when iPhone is in sleep-mode, the WiFi stays active.
- You can't fast-forward or rewind songs, and there's no scrubber.
- iTunes does not need to be running on your Mac or PC, though you computer has to be on a connected to the internet.
- The Simplified Media app has to be running however, which while kind of obvious to some, it is a hindrance to the apps usability if you ask me.
- Headphones button doesn't work with the app, if pressed the iPod app takes over, quitting this app and starting up. Another little annoying thing.
In theory this is a revolution, but I don't need that much music on me at once, and I don't care what everyone else is listening to. All the music I'll ever need and more is in the iPod app, and when I hear a new song (new to me, not new in general) I can buy it from iTunes and throw in the iPod app.We have entered a new age!
Who needs a bigger hard drive on the iPhone now that I have access to my 250-gig music folder whenever I want it?
Now I just want them to add a video function so I can watch my 2.5-terabyte movie collection!
Just tried it out. Works great over WiFi or 3G. Now can still access my phone music collection without even loading it onto my iphone. I wonder what it does to the battery life....
It took about 5-10 seconds to queue a song on 3G and EDGE took too long to load a 190Kbps audio. If you have a lot of higher bitrate lossy or lossless audio I suggest making using iTunes simple conversion option to make copies of your audio in a lower bitrate.
There is no way to FF through a song, but you can skip tracks. It doesn't carry your album cover or lyrics over but it does a nice job of supplying it's own data. You don't have to be running iTunes, but Simplify Media does have to be running to work so the simple interface of the app would be much better if made into a Menubar item, not a Dock Item.
It's unbelievable; works perfectly -- and it's free!
We have entered a new age!
Now I just want them to add a video function so I can watch my 2.5-terabyte movie collection!
exactly! C'mon, SimplifyMedia! you CAN do it! With handbrake and simplifyMedia, we have it all! The dvr makers should get onto this, as well as apple tv!!!
Funny, it's working fine when I plug in my headphones.
Are you referring to the button on the earbuds that let you play/pause and skip, and it really controlled that app? Ireland didn't say headphones didn't work, it's the button that doesn't control the app.
[*]Headphones button doesn't work with the app, if pressed the iPod app takes over, quitting this app and starting up. Another little annoying thing.
If that's true then I see no reason to even try it. iPhone's music playback is annoying without that button, I had to buy a cable with the button to make it decently useable to me.
It took about 5-10 seconds to queue a song on 3G and EDGE took too long to load a 190Kbps audio. If you have a lot of higher bitrate lossy or lossless audio I suggest making using iTunes simple conversion option to make copies of your audio in a lower bitrate.
There is no way to FF through a song, but you can skip tracks. It doesn't carry your album cover or lyrics over but it does a nice job of supplying it's own data. You don't have to be running iTunes, but Simplify Media does have to be running to work so the simple interface of the app would be much better if made into a Menubar item, not a Dock Item.
I don't know if this is what you meant but there is an option to use the application in the menu bar (under preferences iirc) but it will still open the buddy list once you select the drop down. I agree that the interface could be simplified , maybe with the use of a dashboard item.
I don't know if this is what you meant but there is an option to use the application in the menu bar (under preferences iirc) but it will still open the buddy list once you select the drop down. I agree that the interface could be simplified , maybe with the use of a dashboard item.
Thanks. That is what I meant, but mine is greyed out so I didn't notice it. It requires Growl to be installed to have this option, which i have, but I was running it the DMG. Welcome to AI.
this app just totally fuked my phone up! i've tried rebooting the last 3 hours. LOL
good thing I'm 20 mins outside the 5th AVE NYC 24 HR store. heading there now 11:00pm - to go yell at somebody. i don't give a fuck if i dont have an appointment at the "genius" bar! bitches are gonna reboot this shit for me. lol
note to self - avoid apps. they're turning my iphone into a portable version of Vista!
disappointing!