Forgive me if this was mentioned already, but I was browsing Apps in the "Just Added" section today and came across four Orb Media Streaming apps.
The interface is very similar to the iPhone app with the only difference being that all four versions of the Android app allow for streaming over WiFi AND 3G.
The first of which is free and is called Orb Live Free edition. It's pretty much worthless and is basically a test of whether or not the software will work on your phone.
The second is called Orb Music and it allows you to stream music off of your computer through the app. This costs $0.99.
The third is called Orb Media. This version allows you to stream all previously recorded music and video on your computer's hard drive. Not sure but I believe it costs $4.99.
The fourth and most expensive version is Orb Live. Basically it offers both media and video streaming, as well as the ability to stream Live TV. This costs $9.99.
I purchased the fourth and most feature-rich option to hold me over while I wait for a Sling Box app. So far, from the brief time I have spent using the app, I can say the music streaming works really well. I was able to stream a playlist of songs and the quality was very good although not as good as Pandora.
Personally, I foudn it easier to make playlists and find songs in the app than it is to do so through the web browser.
In terms of streaming video, I tried playing an XVid encoded episode of Malcolm in the Middle and to be honest I wasn't exactly thrilled by the video quality. It is similar to the quality of the video produced by the Sling Player app on the Blackberry. Also, there were times were the video didn't play at all.
I have yet to play around with the Live TV feature, but when I do I'll be sure to post back.
My recommendation to those sitting on the fence is to play around with the freebie version and see how it runs on your phone. You maybe able to get by with using Orb through the web browser or perhaps one of the more inexpensive versions of the app, especially if you don't have a TV tuner.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask away.
The interface is very similar to the iPhone app with the only difference being that all four versions of the Android app allow for streaming over WiFi AND 3G.
The first of which is free and is called Orb Live Free edition. It's pretty much worthless and is basically a test of whether or not the software will work on your phone.
The second is called Orb Music and it allows you to stream music off of your computer through the app. This costs $0.99.
The third is called Orb Media. This version allows you to stream all previously recorded music and video on your computer's hard drive. Not sure but I believe it costs $4.99.
The fourth and most expensive version is Orb Live. Basically it offers both media and video streaming, as well as the ability to stream Live TV. This costs $9.99.
I purchased the fourth and most feature-rich option to hold me over while I wait for a Sling Box app. So far, from the brief time I have spent using the app, I can say the music streaming works really well. I was able to stream a playlist of songs and the quality was very good although not as good as Pandora.
Personally, I foudn it easier to make playlists and find songs in the app than it is to do so through the web browser.
In terms of streaming video, I tried playing an XVid encoded episode of Malcolm in the Middle and to be honest I wasn't exactly thrilled by the video quality. It is similar to the quality of the video produced by the Sling Player app on the Blackberry. Also, there were times were the video didn't play at all.
I have yet to play around with the Live TV feature, but when I do I'll be sure to post back.
My recommendation to those sitting on the fence is to play around with the freebie version and see how it runs on your phone. You maybe able to get by with using Orb through the web browser or perhaps one of the more inexpensive versions of the app, especially if you don't have a TV tuner.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask away.