Android users - Welcome to the Sky+ App Party

james payne · 15-12-2012, 09:48

Good morning to you all.

Ok Android users , start feeling the love.

Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates.

Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand)

Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information.

Kind egards

James

anniebrion · 15-12-2012, 10:30

Hi James, Is it the same devices as the new Sky Go? I have the Sky Go list but am under NDA

lee the van · 15-12-2012, 11:42

I managed to get sky go working on the Google nexus 7 tablet this week after the jelly bean update looks ok .

alves · 15-12-2012, 13:12

Good stuff! Thanks as always James.

DarthFader · 15-12-2012, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by anniebrion

Hi James, Is it the same devices as the new Sky Go? I have the Sky Go list but am under NDA

I thought part of an NDA was not even allowed to admit you are part of the testing involved with an NDA, the ones I have done in the past have stated that, bit like fight club

PJ

anniebrion · 15-12-2012, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I thought part of an NDA was not even allowed to admit you are part of the testing involved with an NDA, the ones I have done in the past have stated that, bit like fight club

I'm not anything to do with testing as I have no andriod device

Terry_Harmes · 15-12-2012, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by james payne

Good morning to you all.

Ok Android users , start feeling the love.

Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates.

Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand)

Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information.

Kind egards

James

Hi James,thanks for your post,

I really hope that the Asus transformer prime(Jelly bean) appears on the list as it is the top of the range Android tablet.

alves · 15-12-2012, 18:34

There's bound to be disappointment - at least initially. As noted on other threads, the bazillion types of Android devices means Sky are on a go slow (plus they love Apple of course

). I've got Sky Go on my HTC phone, but would prefer it on my Samsung tablet, and there's no sign of that yet.

paulbrock · 16-12-2012, 15:28

v welcome news. I'm sure those of us up in arms on the sky forums about poor Android support will welcome it too...

Zeebox is ok for changing channels but its not really a proper remote....

ceepan · 17-12-2012, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by james payne

Good morning to you all.

Ok Android users , start feeling the love.

Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates.

Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand)

Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information.

Kind egards

James

James

Why will there only be certain devices that support the Sky+ App? Isn't the code for all devices the same? I thought that the Android OS was geared up to deal with different screen sizes. To make the app work isn't the only hardware needed the WiFi network interface which should have a common API on it.

I understand that the Sky Go App can require tweaking as it has to decode video which is affected by the particular hardware on the phone, but I would have thought that the Sky+ App would use fairly high level API calls that are common for all devices (assuming that they have a recent enough version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich, if not Gingerbread).

I don't intend to criticise, I am just interested in the reason.

Thanks,
Paul

bayards · 19-12-2012, 10:04

James,

Just got rid of my Android for a shinyWindows 8 phone - which is utterly marvellous. Any chance Sky will appear on that one day?

fancyabrew · 19-12-2012, 10:28

+1 got a Lumina 920 love it, and got the wife a Microsoft Surface RT for xmas would be nice to get Skygo on both

Marti S · 19-12-2012, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by alves

There's bound to be disappointment - at least initially. As noted on other threads, the bazillion types of Android devices means Sky are on a go slow (plus they love Apple of course

). I've got Sky Go on my HTC phone, but would prefer it on my Samsung tablet, and there's no sign of that yet.

sky purposely block android devices that they havent tested on even though they might work, they did so with sky go, this is one of the frustrations

Anika Hanson · 19-12-2012, 18:53

Well it would be nice to be treated the same as those on ios!!!

chenks · 19-12-2012, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

Well it would be nice to be treated the same as those on ios!!!

you are.
you need iOS 4.3 or above.
anything below and you can't use the app.

Anika Hanson · 19-12-2012, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenks

you are.
you need iOS 4.3 or above.
anything below and you can't use the app.

But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app.

chenks · 19-12-2012, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenks

you are.
you need iOS 4.3 or above.
anything below and you can't use the app.

my mistake. it's iOS5 that is the minimum requirement.

chenks · 19-12-2012, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app.

neither could iPhone users until very recently.

Marti S · 19-12-2012, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app.

He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not.

The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them.

chenks · 19-12-2012, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marti S

He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not.

no, all i was suggesting that no every iOS user has access to the app either - just like android.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marti S

The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them.

and of course some android devices will never get it - just like iOS.

Marti S · 19-12-2012, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenks

no, all i was suggesting that no every iOS user has access to the app either - just like android

Its normal for an older OS to not be supported, so its not the same.

With android its not the OS but the device that governs whether you get it and Sky have done their best to stop you installing the .apk file on a device they havent tested it on even though it will probably work on it

chenks · 19-12-2012, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marti S

With android its not the OS but the device that governs whether you get it and Sky have done their best to stop you installing the .apk file on a device they havent tested it on even though it will probably work on it

yeah that's because android builds (except for nexus devices) go thru manufacture and carrier modifications before hitting the phone, so each phone is technically slightly different in terms of OS build.

obviously iOS doesn't have that issue.
Google really should start imposing some sort of rules to nip the fragmentation issue in the bud - i believe they are starting to do so though.

Anika Hanson · 19-12-2012, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marti S

He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not.

The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them.

Thanks. I appreciate that it's harder with android because there are so many different devices, running different versions of the opperating system and with manufacturers custom skins. However I think that they don't try hard enough.The bbc do a better job with the iplayer.

derek500 · 19-12-2012, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

Thanks. I appreciate that it's harder with android because there are so many different devices, running different versions of the opperating system and with manufacturers custom skins. However I think that they don't try hard enough.The bbc do a better job with the iplayer.

BBC iPlayer only became available on my Nexus 7 in the last week or so and don't forget they only offer FTA content.

paulbrock · 19-12-2012, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek500

BBC iPlayer only became available on my Nexus 7 in the last week or so and don't forget they only offer FTA content.

Actually the BBC became available again after a short absence. This was due to the roll out of Android 4.2. I've been using BBC iplayer on my Nexus 7 for the last 5 months (admittedly part of that in an unsupported fashion).

In fact, what happens is that they only stop you installing iplayer from Google Play, if you already have it, then upgrade your OS, iplayer still works. likewise netflix, catchup TV, ESPN goals....

However I've only been able to run Sky Go for the last week or so, never before. They claim this is due to the stringent rights agreements they have signed; I find it hard to believe that Sky are so much more severely restricted than Netflix or HBO or the BBC (who do also have rights owners to worry about - FTA doesn't give them carte blanche; I expect Virgin won't be as strict when they release their Android app next year, but lets wait and see); personally I believe its down to a combination of paranoid Sky lawyers, a development program out of sync with Google recommendations for good practice, and a management that until recently have seemed indifferent to good Android support.

Sky definitely have some catching up to do (and don't get me started on the abysmal 'communication' on their forums) but I'm glad to hear that things are, slowly, improving.

15-12-2012, 09:48	#1
james payne Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4,072	Android users - Welcome to the Sky+ App Party Good morning to you all. Ok Android users , start feeling the love. Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates. Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand) Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information. Kind egards James

15-12-2012, 10:30	#2
anniebrion Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 16,389	Hi James, Is it the same devices as the new Sky Go? I have the Sky Go list but am under NDA

15-12-2012, 11:42	#3
lee the van Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 78	I managed to get sky go working on the Google nexus 7 tablet this week after the jelly bean update looks ok .

15-12-2012, 13:12	#4
alves Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North of England Posts: 2,997	Good stuff! Thanks as always James.

15-12-2012, 14:01	#5
DarthFader Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Posts: 3,753	Quote: Originally Posted by anniebrion Hi James, Is it the same devices as the new Sky Go? I have the Sky Go list but am under NDA I thought part of an NDA was not even allowed to admit you are part of the testing involved with an NDA, the ones I have done in the past have stated that, bit like fight club PJ

15-12-2012, 14:55	#6
anniebrion Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 16,389	Quote: Originally Posted by DarthFader I thought part of an NDA was not even allowed to admit you are part of the testing involved with an NDA, the ones I have done in the past have stated that, bit like fight club I'm not anything to do with testing as I have no andriod device

15-12-2012, 17:58	#7
Terry_Harmes Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 192	Quote: Originally Posted by james payne Good morning to you all. Ok Android users , start feeling the love. Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates. Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand) Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information. Kind egards James Hi James,thanks for your post, I really hope that the Asus transformer prime(Jelly bean) appears on the list as it is the top of the range Android tablet.

15-12-2012, 18:34	#8
alves Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North of England Posts: 2,997	There's bound to be disappointment - at least initially. As noted on other threads, the bazillion types of Android devices means Sky are on a go slow (plus they love Apple of course ). I've got Sky Go on my HTC phone, but would prefer it on my Samsung tablet, and there's no sign of that yet.

16-12-2012, 15:28	#9
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	v welcome news. I'm sure those of us up in arms on the sky forums about poor Android support will welcome it too... Zeebox is ok for changing channels but its not really a proper remote....

17-12-2012, 07:54	#10
ceepan Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	Quote: Originally Posted by james payne Good morning to you all. Ok Android users , start feeling the love. Early in the new year there will be some more Sky+ developments/updates. Think about the same path that iOS took , (Planner access , Clash Management & then On Demand) Can't be specific as to which devices at this stage , however i'll certainly post back as & when I have more information. Kind egards James James Why will there only be certain devices that support the Sky+ App? Isn't the code for all devices the same? I thought that the Android OS was geared up to deal with different screen sizes. To make the app work isn't the only hardware needed the WiFi network interface which should have a common API on it. I understand that the Sky Go App can require tweaking as it has to decode video which is affected by the particular hardware on the phone, but I would have thought that the Sky+ App would use fairly high level API calls that are common for all devices (assuming that they have a recent enough version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich, if not Gingerbread). I don't intend to criticise, I am just interested in the reason. Thanks, Paul

19-12-2012, 10:04	#11
bayards Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South Lincs Posts: 1,862	James, Just got rid of my Android for a shinyWindows 8 phone - which is utterly marvellous. Any chance Sky will appear on that one day?

19-12-2012, 10:28	#12
fancyabrew Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 135	+1 got a Lumina 920 love it, and got the wife a Microsoft Surface RT for xmas would be nice to get Skygo on both

19-12-2012, 18:44	#13
Marti S Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,965	Quote: Originally Posted by alves There's bound to be disappointment - at least initially. As noted on other threads, the bazillion types of Android devices means Sky are on a go slow (plus they love Apple of course ). I've got Sky Go on my HTC phone, but would prefer it on my Samsung tablet, and there's no sign of that yet. sky purposely block android devices that they havent tested on even though they might work, they did so with sky go, this is one of the frustrations

19-12-2012, 18:53	#14
Anika Hanson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 14,219	Well it would be nice to be treated the same as those on ios!!!

19-12-2012, 18:58	#15
chenks Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 11,399	Quote: Originally Posted by Anika Hanson Well it would be nice to be treated the same as those on ios!!! you are. you need iOS 4.3 or above. anything below and you can't use the app.

19-12-2012, 19:03	#16
Anika Hanson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 14,219	Quote: Originally Posted by chenks you are. you need iOS 4.3 or above. anything below and you can't use the app. But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app.

19-12-2012, 19:07	#17
chenks Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 11,399	Quote: Originally Posted by chenks you are. you need iOS 4.3 or above. anything below and you can't use the app. my mistake. it's iOS5 that is the minimum requirement.

19-12-2012, 19:08	#18
chenks Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 11,399	Quote: Originally Posted by Anika Hanson But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app. neither could iPhone users until very recently.

19-12-2012, 19:10	#19
Marti S Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,965	Quote: Originally Posted by Anika Hanson But I can't delete recordings on my skp plus app. He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not. The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them.

19-12-2012, 19:16	#20
chenks Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 11,399	Quote: Originally Posted by Marti S He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not. no, all i was suggesting that no every iOS user has access to the app either - just like android. Quote: Originally Posted by Marti S The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them. and of course some android devices will never get it - just like iOS.

19-12-2012, 19:24	#21
Marti S Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,965	Quote: Originally Posted by chenks no, all i was suggesting that no every iOS user has access to the app either - just like android Its normal for an older OS to not be supported, so its not the same. With android its not the OS but the device that governs whether you get it and Sky have done their best to stop you installing the .apk file on a device they havent tested it on even though it will probably work on it

DS Forums

Android users - Welcome to the Sky+ App Party

19-12-2012, 19:33	#22
chenks Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 11,399	Quote: Originally Posted by Marti S With android its not the OS but the device that governs whether you get it and Sky have done their best to stop you installing the .apk file on a device they havent tested it on even though it will probably work on it yeah that's because android builds (except for nexus devices) go thru manufacture and carrier modifications before hitting the phone, so each phone is technically slightly different in terms of OS build. obviously iOS doesn't have that issue. Google really should start imposing some sort of rules to nip the fragmentation issue in the bud - i believe they are starting to do so though.

19-12-2012, 20:17	#23
Anika Hanson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 14,219	Quote: Originally Posted by Marti S He knows that but some how thinks it means you're being treated the same, which of course its not. The real reason is that sky like to make sure you cant do anything untoward with the app, on android that means they have to try it on a great deal more devices before they will approve them. Thanks. I appreciate that it's harder with android because there are so many different devices, running different versions of the opperating system and with manufacturers custom skins. However I think that they don't try hard enough.The bbc do a better job with the iplayer.

19-12-2012, 22:18	#24
derek500 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 20,375	Quote: Originally Posted by Anika Hanson Thanks. I appreciate that it's harder with android because there are so many different devices, running different versions of the opperating system and with manufacturers custom skins. However I think that they don't try hard enough.The bbc do a better job with the iplayer. BBC iPlayer only became available on my Nexus 7 in the last week or so and don't forget they only offer FTA content.

19-12-2012, 23:15	#25
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	Quote: Originally Posted by derek500 BBC iPlayer only became available on my Nexus 7 in the last week or so and don't forget they only offer FTA content. Actually the BBC became available again after a short absence. This was due to the roll out of Android 4.2. I've been using BBC iplayer on my Nexus 7 for the last 5 months (admittedly part of that in an unsupported fashion). In fact, what happens is that they only stop you installing iplayer from Google Play, if you already have it, then upgrade your OS, iplayer still works. likewise netflix, catchup TV, ESPN goals.... However I've only been able to run Sky Go for the last week or so, never before. They claim this is due to the stringent rights agreements they have signed; I find it hard to believe that Sky are so much more severely restricted than Netflix or HBO or the BBC (who do also have rights owners to worry about - FTA doesn't give them carte blanche; I expect Virgin won't be as strict when they release their Android app next year, but lets wait and see); personally I believe its down to a combination of paranoid Sky lawyers, a development program out of sync with Google recommendations for good practice, and a management that until recently have seemed indifferent to good Android support. Sky definitely have some catching up to do (and don't get me started on the abysmal 'communication' on their forums) but I'm glad to hear that things are, slowly, improving.