Comments on: Kinoma vs. PocketTunes Streaming Comparison

While many aspects of the Palm OS market have seen a drastic cooling off over the past year, one area that is seeing increased activity is add-on multimedia software. 2006 was a transitional period for this segment of the Palm OS software sector. 2006 witnessed the arrival of the first “real” 3g-enabled Treo from Palm, the 700p. Coinciding with the arrival of the 700p was a surge in interest for quality streaming media solutions under our favorite mobile OS. In this article I compare and contrast two leading apps that provide multimedia streaming functionality on the Palm OS -- Kinoma 4EX and Pocket Tunes. Can Kinoma’s jack-of-all-trades effort usurp PocketTunes’ laser-sharp focus on music only? Read on for a head to head contest between the live audio-only streaming capabilities of both applications.

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I use Ptunes4

VampireLestat @ 1/14/2007 6:34:10 PM #

Have wifi home.
Use ptunes streaming radio.
Very fun.
Easy categories.

F the iPhone, F Steve Jobs, go Palm OS, go Colligan.

RE: I use Ptunes4

moofie @ 2/5/2007 5:17:17 PM #

Um, I'd love to use wifi on my Treo 700p. Care to tell me how?

RE: I use Ptunes4

freakout @ 2/5/2007 11:12:45 PM #

Vamp uses a TX.

AAC lovin'

Galley_SimRacer @ 1/14/2007 7:09:31 PM #

Don't forget that Kinoma supports AAC audio playback, while the bundled version of PocketTunes does not.

RE: AAC lovin'

hkklife @ 1/14/2007 7:42:13 PM #

Yup, I am going to get to that in the full review of the other components of Kinoma 4. It's just a great program all around for playing streaming or locally stored media!

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

Bloomberg Radio?

Gekko @ 1/14/2007 7:43:35 PM #

can any PalmOS application stream it?

http://www.bloomberg.com/streams/audio/radio_live.asx

this is getting ridiculous.

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

hkklife @ 1/14/2007 7:49:07 PM #

Gekko;

I've tested that damm link on every Palm OS media app I've encountered lately and nothing can handle it. I think an endless "buffering" message is as close as any app gets (I think that is what CorePlayer or Kinoma does).

In case anyone didn't read the full text of the test:

" Of interest to certain users, the PIC-famous “Bloomberg Radio” streaming test (thanks, Gekko) failed under both programs. Hopefully at some point in 2007 we will see a Palm OS program able to successfully stream this particular bit of content. "

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

Gekko @ 1/14/2007 7:53:26 PM #

hkk - i saw that you tested it. thanks for trying. please let me know if you ever find any success. perhaps there's a codec that must be licensed from MSFT that is the problem? i'll probably be on a different platform if/when it ever happens.

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

Ryan @ 1/14/2007 8:08:24 PM #

G - FWIW... I just got that stream to work on the Treo 750 via the standard Windows Media player. Billy G is calling you...

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

Gekko @ 1/14/2007 8:10:56 PM #

R - thanks for the info. Billy G wins again!

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

bcombee @ 1/15/2007 1:04:56 AM #

Just looked at the Bloomberg stream. The WMV-streaming protocol is supported by Kinoma, but the actual audio codec used, WMV9 Speech, isn't handled. It looks like Kinoma only handles the Windows formats for audio.

PT Deluxe 4 supports MP3 and AAC streams, but not the WMV formats. Sorry.

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

Gekko @ 1/15/2007 7:31:57 AM #

thanks Ben.

No Bloomberg Radio yet, but CNN Radio Works

Gekko @ 6/10/2007 7:28:26 PM #

fyi -

Bloomberg Radio - http://www.bloomberg.com/streams/audio/radio_live.asx - uses a new (not yet supported by Palm OS Players) codec called 'Windows Media Audio Voice', which is specifically designed for compressing audio which consists mostly of speech. This also means the station can be broadcast at a very low bitrate and still be heard clearly.

however, i just found CNN Radio and the stream works great and although i'd prefer Bloomberg, it's not a bad alternative. Check it out on your Treo at:

CNN Radio

mms://wmscnn.stream.aol.com/live/cnn/cnn_radio

enjoy!

RE: Bloomberg Radio?

Gekko @ 6/10/2007 7:47:21 PM #

and for all of you liberals -

http://foxnews-foxnewstalk.wm.llnwd.net/foxnews_foxnewstalk

Don't forget youtube and googlevideo

drbuzz0 @ 1/14/2007 10:06:35 PM #

Hey! I put a lot of work into mgvids.com and mobetube.com (I oughta update them though a bit).

IMHO kinoma is worth the price for just youtube and google video stuff!

Oh yea...you're welcome!

Background play

t3h @ 1/14/2007 10:13:14 PM #

Biggest advantage of PTunes over Kinoma IMO is the background play - I can actually use my TX for other things while listening to music.

Palm TX + 1GB SD + Motorola v3x = awesomeness

A couple of other differences...

chilimost @ 1/14/2007 10:19:24 PM #

Two big things not mentioned in the review...

- Background Streaming is supported by PocketTunes, but not by Kinoma

- Kinoma will resume a stream where you left off, even after existing the app and restarting it (also after changing streams). I cannot emphasize how HUGELY useful this feature is. Even though I prefer PocketTunes for streaming in general, I find myself using Kinoma now just for this feature.

one area that is seeing increased activity

joad @ 1/15/2007 1:22:21 AM #

>>>While many aspects of the Palm OS market have seen a drastic cooling off over the past year, one area that is seeing increased activity is add-on multimedia software.

Imagine how much more popular the Treo would be if Palm would get their head out of the sand and acknowledge the first statement quoted above. They've done a lot of dumb things with that line, and leaving out a standard multimedia jack has to be in the top 5.

That adapter kludge Handspring came up with needs to finally go the way of the dodo bird if Palm wants to have any hope against the iPhone finally wiping them off the map.. It's 2007, Palm - probably 27 people own the "car kit" that the Treo's 6xx/7xx audio port is beholden to. Time to realize the opportunity you have ignored for years.

RE: one area that is seeing increased activity

LiveFaith @ 1/15/2007 11:59:18 AM #

joad,

C'mon now. That 2.5mm is the std size for the bundled wired earpiece that palm throws in the box. After spending countle$$ hours lobbying the socialist vote in the California legislature to make it a crime to talk on a phone driving, Palm wanted to flex it's earpiece muscles.

Sure it has BT that bypasses the jack, but hey who cares about that. Palm has proven that it cannot innovate. Handspring put the 2.5 in place b/c the 600 did not have BT. Palm continues the worthless dinosaur model after model.

They remind me of the story of the woman who cut the ends off her ham before cooking it. When another woman asked her why, she said "that's the way we've always done it". The woman's elderly mother chimed in and said "now that's silly, the only reason we cut off the ends back then was because we didn't own a pan big enough"! It's either that, or Palm knows their BT stack is so cantankerous that people are gonna switch to the wired model.

Even the tiny iPod shuffle has a full size jack. Even tho ostriches don't really do it, Palm needs to get their head outta the sand. Just include a 3.5mm earpiece or a stupid 3.5->2.5 adapter in the box.

Pat Horne

RE: one area that is seeing increased activity

joad @ 6/6/2007 2:06:11 PM #

>>>After spending countle$$ hours lobbying the socialist vote in the California legislature to make it a crime to talk on a phone driving, Palm wanted to flex it's earpiece muscles.

Yeah.. that was sweet of them. Now maybe the "Socialist vote in the California legislature" can force Palm to recall all the Treo 700p's that don't stay paired to the BT headset - requiring people to become "criminals" by talking directly into the phone while driving.

nice review

keithshoe @ 1/27/2007 3:31:53 AM #

I just upgraded to P Tune 4 yesterday for 20 bucks.

If I would have read this article before would have spent 24 for the other player.

Good review overall for those spending more money on the Treo. First impression the PT4 upgrade does sound better and it is a good audio program.

Agree it sucks having to use my combo handa free ear kit to listen, do not use the adapter plug. Something else to keep up with.

It would be nice to have the BT headset play P Tunes also for an nice upgrade.

Treo 650

Everyone: Please send Bloomberg a quick Email

Gekko @ 6/13/2007 4:49:05 PM #

Everyone: Please send Bloomberg a quick Email -

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/fbk

Thanks!

---------------

Thank You for Your Feedback!

Feedback Status:

TicketID: W00247508830488565533
Status: Waiting
Summary: Bloomberg Radio Stream Audio Format

LOG: 6/13/07 16:38:53 Your Initial Feedback

Dear Bloomberg Radio - many of us using Palm Treos and other new mobile devices would like to be able to stream Bloomberg Radio and TV but unfortunately the codec you use "WMA9Voice" is a legacy codec by MSFT and is no longer offered/suppported by MSFT. Hence, many software manufacturers are unable to offer applications which can stream Bloomberg Radio and TV. Can you please update your internet radio stream to a more current codec such as WMA, MP3, or AAC (MP4)? This will allow millions of mobile device users the ability to stream Bloomberg and thus instantly and exponentially expand your market of listeners and viewers all over the world. These listeners will have access to your stations at any time and in any place give the mobile device capabilities. You are missing a HUGE market here! Also, moving to WMA will make you Silverlight-ready to boot. MSFT's Silverlight http://silverlight.net/ is the way of the future! Please feel free to contact Charles Wiltgen at Kinoma (www.kinoma.com) (info@kinoma.com) if you need technical assistance or information. Kinoma is the leader in mobile media software products. THANK YOU!!!

RE: Everyone: Please send Bloomberg a quick Email

cervezas @ 6/13/2007 7:17:05 PM #

Done.

David Beers
Pikesoft Mobile Computing
www.pikesoft.com/blog

RE: Everyone: Please send Bloomberg a quick Email

Gekko @ 6/13/2007 8:39:14 PM #

thanks - it is appreciated.

BTW - here are the TV and Radio links in case you want to preview the content via your PC -

http://www.bloomberg.com/streams/video/LiveBTV200.asxx

http://www.bloomberg.com/streams/audio/radio_live.asx

best streaming business news content bar none IMO!!!

RE: Everyone: Please send Bloomberg a quick Email

mikecane @ 6/14/2007 4:48:40 PM #

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

There's this rank git called gekko, who has never revealed his true identity in the years he has posted at PIC, who is just dying to have your radio stream to his sex-perv infested Treo.

Please do not allow this to happen. I'm certain you are aware of the phrase, Guilt By Association.

Thank you for your time.

but there are other factors, too

quickwiththetrigger @ 4/18/2008 6:34:23 PM #

I just bought Kinoma. It does certain things well, and I guess I will keep it...BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR PURCHASERS IS ABYSMAL.

I have never had a company insult me for buying their product before. Without giving too many details, Kinoma actually implied that there was something wrong with my buying their program...

Sheesh.
As to Kinoma vs. PTunes, P has a lot going for it. It allows background play, which is very steady, even when using other apps with alarms. Kinoma doesn't even let you turn off the screen manually.

As far as video goes, Kinoma talks a good game, but they can't play any of my video types, just saying 'video playback requirements too high' and giving up. TCPMP is great, so it's no big deal, but it's disappointing.

I like the Youtube, Google Video and other media choices- the review above mentioned NBC, though, and I can't find it. I'll keep looking.

Is the program worth $25? My PTunes is having some problems on my new device, so, rather than go through the hassle of getting a new phone, yeah, sure, okay- Kinoma can stay on my phone. With PTunes, TCPMP and Kinoma on my phone, I'm probably okay for whatever I need.

But that customer service issue- that rankles. In business, you don't get snarky when somebody buys your product. You say 'Thanks!' in a loud clear voice and then cash the check. Maybe someone was having a bad day. Whatever.