Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I understand your pain about the 3G but BT Sports/ESPN/Eurosport works on this, over wifi but then most pubs/clubs have wifi now.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks for this. Works on Kindle Fire HD.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Eh? You got tv anywhere working by loading it from that link?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Well the point for me would be I could watch it in my bedroom.And no I can't do it on a TV or a PC because I have nowhere to put either in the said bedroom.I've not even room to swing the proverbial cat.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I have to say I am disappointed by the app compared to the iOS one. OK, I am using it on the Nexus 10 running Android 4.4, so I know streaming doesn't work and it might not be the same experience as on supported devices.
First impressions: screen doesn't rotate. In the TV guide on Android you select a channel and only in a new window can you see what's on other next hours. On iOS you select the channel and can see what's on in same window without the need to jump back and forth. And then in my recordings on iOS you can swipe and delete. On Android it's a long press and then delete. And just in general the iOS app seems a lot more snappier.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I imagine that 3G access will be enabled in a future version.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Yeah. Using Firefox to download and then a file explorer to install the file.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

How did you get the apk? Was it the phone version?

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Woohoo, works on my kindle :):):)

Big thanks to Mr K :angel:

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

At least on ios you could jailbreak your phone, and install my3g, tricking your phone into thinking it's using wifi. I wish there was an app like that for android.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

If the screen doesn't rotate then you are using the Phone version. On the tablet version, the screen does rotate.

I have Samsung S2 but from the links on here, it says my device is not compatible? When I search on google play the app will not show up. Im with Orange, is this my problem?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Can someone explain this please?
I downloaded the app on my Samsung Note 2 and connected via my Virgin Home WiFi.
Then I disconnected from the WiFi but the programme continued streaming???

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Maybe it buffered a lot?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

i noticed that too, its a small workaround i guess

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Must be. I have a S2 (with T-Mobile) and have it up and running.

I can't believe it's network specific

Try this link

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Well it streamed for over 10 minutes but you have to start it on a wifi!!!

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

What did you type in on google play? I am on Orange too and luckily I have been able to download it and use it. I typed in "Virgin TV Anywhere" and it was app number 6 in the list.

Hope this helps.:)

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I can't even install it. It's not compatible with the Nexus 5. Anyone got an APK I can try?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Its because you will be on android 4.4 and the released version isn't compatible just now.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Uninstalled it till its at least working with the latest android version.

Thanks but still says not availible on my S2 or my S3 tab10. But will can be downloaded on my wifes S4 mini.
After all the wait, I cant use it. Grrrr....

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I think it's a good little app, but I'm really disappointed by the whole process. Firstly I've been over a year without Virgin Player, which allowed me to watch over 3g. Now the gap has been filled I still can't watch over 3g, so I'm worse off. That's not progress.

Secondly I find the protestations that this was difficult to implement, that it wasn't simply a case of taking a red crayon to the US version, that some of the delay was to achieve work arounds for home networking issues, and that it was important to launch before support for the latest version of the operating system was implemented to be so blatantly untrue that actually it borders on being offensive. What is so different from the US version, an app that looks and feels the same, and acts as a network remote whilst allowing you to watch TV on the move either streaming our downloaded, that it took two years to resolve? Genuinely, I'd love to know.

Thirdly, two devices at any one time is very limiting-we don't have loads of devices in our house, but two top end smart phones, a tablet and a laptop means we have 200% of the allowed devices. I suspect there are many reading this who are in a much more limited position.

All I can say is I really hope this is a work in progress-despite the wait being partly down to an apparent desire to launch a finished product. To launch an android app that is immediately unavailable to the very people who've chosen a vanilla android experience is just a joke and there is simply no way to justify it.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Yeah the two devices thing is annoying, I have an iPhone my wife has a s3 and we have an iPad so we can't add all devices.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

:clap:

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Does the US Tivo app stream video looking at the info on Google Play it doesn't so this would be a massive difference? The iOS app recently got the ability but requires a specific type of Tivo and I think it streams from the box itself.

I'm frustrated around not supporting 4.4 but I understand that you have to build to a software version otherwise you end up with a moving target.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Nope

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

One that would take 2 years to resolve? That, after all, was my question.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I'm running 4.2 on my HTC One X+ and in Google Play it tells me that my device isn't supported.

Doesn't look compatible to me.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

That's a different thing. The app is compatible with the version of Android on your phone, but VM haven't yet added the device itself to the list of allowed devices.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

To throw a spanner in the works, I tried to download the app on my cheap and cheerful tablet (Sumvision Cyclone or something), it appeared on play search, I downloaded it and to my surprise it worked!

Didn't get much time to test it this morning but it connected to my TiVo and I could view my recorded show list along with the menu that was on the same screen. Didn't get round to testing the remote control function or if it will stream tv so that's a job for tonight. Not holding much hope on streaming but at least it's better than nothing

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Don't know if it was 2 years, VM announced a year ago that that the app would ready 2013.

Don't know when the first announcement was that they were going to do a Android App.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Android app was confirmed as coming in 2013 when the iOS app launched in November 2012

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/new...obile-app.html

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Sorry but from someone that knows a lot about the app you haven't a clue what went on behind closed doors and what was involved in getting the app to release.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

OK thanks.

Is it likely to get added to the list?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Agreed. Which is why I posed a question. So tell me.

---------- Post added at 12:35 ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 ----------

My question was what is so different between the US app and the Virgin app that it's taken 2 years to resolve? It is two years since the US android app launched.

If you'd like me to rephrase, what has taken 1 year from the Virgin announcement to resolve?

Not aimed directly at you now, but It's all very well for people things like you don't know what you're talking about, or there are big differences that take time to sort out, but if you don't answer when you're asked for specifics what conclusion are we supposed to draw?

This past week has seen a TiVo update which has reduced recorded suggestions from unlimited to 50 (answer-I don't know, I don't like it either), an app launched after a silly amount of time to develop (answer-you don't know what you're talking about) which still doesn't allow me to stream over 3g despite the fact that I used to be able to do this before they got rid of player (answer-none, yet). Oh yeah, and a price rise.

Perhaps rather than suggesting things without actually ever saying them, those that know the answer to my genuine questions - what has taken so long, why, and can we expect the functionality to ever improve to the point where it matches the obsolete app it has at long last replaced - could provide them?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Don't know if anyone can help on this

If I factory reset my NEXUS 7 will it go back to the original Android which was 4.2 I think?

I read somewhere it wasn't possible to do this but with all the knowledge on here thought I'd check in case someone might know

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

No it won't go back. A factory reset will revert your user settings and any apps you've downloaded, but not your system stuff.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

The release in the US has no impact on when the VM would be released, your assumption is that they began working on it then.

No one outside VM management and the team working on the app knows when work started or how much effort was involved.

VM decided that the iOS app had priority (understandable at that point) then priorities may have changed from the Android app. We don't know if they started 1 year ago or last week.

Would going into the details of Java programming, DRM and streaming video really help

With regards to functionality, yes you are missing a piece of functionality previously available on a different app.

A functional specification and brief were created for the new app during which streaming over 3g was given a lower priority or it was decided that it is not required at this point.

Personally I think it should have been given a higher priority, 12 months to add streaming seems a little excessive, I don't do any video work in android apps at all but from what I have read I know it can be complicated, though later android release were supposed to help solve the complexity.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I'm pretty sure everyone on here would agree with you. For an app to be called 'anywhere', not being able to use it anywhere is quite remarkable.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

So after all that we agree that 12 months seems excessive!

Out of interest, why do you think it's understandable that ios was given priority? Virgin themselves didn't sell any ios devices and so were effectively affording lower priority to those of us who were Virgin quad play customers. Personally, I think it follows that the US releases did impact on the release of the Virgin versions-the types of devices owned by the customers who also took Virgin's mobile services certainly didn't!

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks Andy

Ah well shouldn't have updated to KitKat before the app came out, still next year maybe? My S2 works ok with the app on Android 4.1.2

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

As far as I know Player allowed for a selection of pre-recorded shows to be accessed over 3G. It didn't have live TV streaming, and also you only had 1 hour a day free via a mobile if you had TV XL, Broadband and a Virgin Mobile.

Otherwise there were additional costs involved above your TV subscription

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/softw...n-media-player
http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/09...player-review/

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Its quicker to write an app for an iOS device, you only to worry about a tablet or phone with a 3.5" or 4" display. Android is a nightmare with so many variations of screen size and resolution

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

TiVo released their iOS app first, which is what TV Anywhere is based on.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Works nicely installing the .apk on my two unsupported devices - hopefully they'll be clearing more models soon.

The icons for the options when you press the menu button look greyed out even though they're not and it's a bit annoying that you can't use the back button to dismiss dialogs.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

12 months may seem excessive if the started development 12 months but I have no insight into the potential issues and problems that could occur.

From experience I know how difficult it can be accurately estimate the amount of effort required to program some thing. You could spend days getting something working and end up with a fundamental block that needs a different approach.

I think iOS devices were the right as the majority of the tablet devices in the market were iOS. Quad play customers who wanted the ability to stream over 3g were probably thought to be a smaller percentage than TV customers that want to stream locally over wifi on the iOS device.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I agree with Andy so tell us what went on to get this app live in 12 months and then we might have a better understanding of the situation

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Ok, that's fair enough.

---------- Post added at 18:43 ---------- Previous post was at 18:40 ----------

I do understand all of this, although if development didn't start either before or very soon after the announcement then I'd again like to know why.

However, whilst I'm sure it's difficult to estimate how long something like this might take, they've basically lifted an app that had already existed and worked for a year, and added a feature that they already knew how to offer.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

If adding streaming is a reason for the delay then surely they'd have been better off releasing a version without streaming and then adding the feature later. This would have at least seen us through from the period they blocked TIVO Commander to now.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Cripes, I hadn't realised the two device limit included web streaming from laptop too! We have two laptops, two phones and a tablet in our household and there is only two of us. I also had a work machine registered to save me carrying a laptop into the office when I work the weekend shift.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

But then people would have moaned that the app was too basic and was missing streaming. VM can't win.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I am not so sure. People were happy with TIVO Commander and the US Tivo app didn't have streaming apparently so not sure why people would complain? Well maybe if they called it TV Anywhere but there wasn't a need to release it under that name. TIVO Commander was essentially what we have now minus the streaming and we had that in 2011 (albeit the new app is properly integrated and doesn't require manual setup etc), it was a big loss to some of us to lose it.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

The old app may not have streamed live TV, and it may have cost people more money if they exceeded a certain limit, but at least people had the option to use 3G.

You are doing a grand job in answering various peoples questions and gripes, but this still does not explain why VM did not add the option for 3G on this app. I do not know if you have the answer or not, but it is a seriously bad oversight from VM. If it could be used before, why not now?

I only use the app to record programs and as such the lack of 3G does not bother me, but it has clearly upset some people.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

The VM Player app only worked on 3G. If you were connected to WiFi (or on an iPad) then the content wasn't available. Out of the two, I'd much prefer it to be WiFi only rather than 3G only!

My own guess? Different technology

It's a completely different proposition to offer a range of pre-encoded programmes for 3G than it is to have a plaform stream live TV to both WiFi and 3G.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Perhaps you would prefer to watch programs via Wifi, but that does not help the bill payers who may want to try and watch something on a long car journey or if they are in a holiday cottage where there is no wifi, or the wifi is not working. Not all hotels have wifi or free wifi either. Why should people in these situations be denied the option? Also, I am led to believe that many areas still have poor broadband speeds and people may get a better viewing experience over 3G. (my knowledge of bb speeds compared to 3g speeds is non-existent, so I may be talking rubbish on that point.)

Be that as it may with the technology, it is something which I imagine could have been rectified in the time between the IOS version launching and the Android version launching. It is still a seriously poor oversight.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I'm not saying they should, and I don't expect they will be long term.

However, as an experience, opting for WiFi first allows for higher quality streams and better resilience to performance issues.

But trying to add in 3G to the released iOS app and the unreleased Android one, whilst at the same time getting the Android app released, would be introducing un-necessary complication. It's more logical to do what VM have done - get the Android app released to the same level of functionality as iOS and then look to improve both together

---------- Post added at 00:08 ---------- Previous post was at 00:01 ----------

Also, can you imaging the complaints that would have happened if VM had managed to get 3G streaming working on iOS and not for the launch of the Android app (or vice versa)?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Its not a bad oversight at all. VM I am sure wanted to get streaming working properly via WiFi first and will enable 3G access in the future hopefully.

Its probably down to how much extra traffic it will add to the mobile networks.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Other apps manage it fine.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

It took the BBC a year between launching their Android app before they enabled 3G streaming to it http://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/02/27/...eamed-over-3g/

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Coming to VM in 2015 then..

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Didn't say that, was just pointing out that just because other apps that have been out longer can do it, doesn't mean they did it immediately

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Yeah but we all know VM timescales when it comes to things like this.
Can't believe they didnt plan support of 4.4 into this app, and if they had no intention of doing so then perhaps a statement saying this would have maybe given people with these devices to hold off upgrading to 4.4 as it was widely known it was being launched around now for Nexus etc.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I dont know if i am being really idiotic but how do you watch anything with the app?

I can browse everything ok and i pick a channel (say BBC1) in the guide - currently a movie called The Stepford Wives in on. I only have options: Record, Upcoming and More.

Picking another channel (BBC Three) I get additional options including a 'Watch Now' button but it only lets me watch on TV.

I'm not currently connected to my TiVo so I'd guess I am in Away mode. And I am connected to WiFi.

What am I doing wrong :(

---------- Post added at 01:18 ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 ----------

It turns out I can actually select to watch Channel 5 (Super Casino) on my phone but it crashes when it tries to load the video.

Don't want to watch Super Casino anyway.

Long wait for this app and very very disappointed.

---------- Post added at 01:19 ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 ----------

As for the BBC issue - I've noticed its not on the available channel list :()

---------- Post added at 01:22 ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 ----------

Deleted it - overall impression rubbish - doesn't do anything I expected it to do.

BT Sport is on the list of channels but it only gives the option of play on TV.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

The app allows you to control your TiVo but the TiVo has to be connected to the same network as your phone.

I find it easier and quicker to search or manage my my recordings via the app then the TiVo.

There is a list of channels that you can watch on your device 65 non premium channels I think at the moment. The BBC channels are not there as the BBC want you to use their own app iPlayer.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

You have to a) have a phone / tablet that is supported for streaming and b) choose a channel that has the streaming icon next to it in the guide.

Other bits...

- Selecting a show or movie from Browse which is on Netflix causes the app to crash for me.

- Scrolling down the Comedy Movies section caused the app to crash as I neared the bottom. It's also unclear why movies are listed A-Z, then another bunch A-Z, then another A-Z...

- The way it puts in a default icon or channel logo in listings and then updates it with the right one a short time later gives rather distracting flickering. For example on the guide, while scrolling when channels become visible the text name of the channel appears first then quickly overlays the logo then when you stop scrolling for all the channels that have just become visible in the scroll it replaces the logos with text and then puts the logos back over them again.

- I kind of expected there would be a consistency between browsing VOD between the TiVo and app. In particular there doesn't seem to be a way to see what new shows are available.

- Back button handling is inconsistent. OK / cancel type alerts can't be dismissed this way. The Watch Now and More pop-ups can only be dismissed using the back button, though their styling suggests that touching outside the pop-up would clear them like in other apps. I also once drilled down to one page (I think in the Browse section) and then an error happened and it wouldn't let me go back up after. Expecting to get back to the guide if you press back in another section and then be given the option to exit if you press again seems more natural to me too.

- While watching Netflix the Info page shows whatever the first tuner happened to be left on at the time.

- Entering a search the keyboard is extremely laggy, like the same thread is being used for that and results. Sometimes results show then go away again then show once more for no apparent reason. If they haven't changed then there's no reason to clear them from the screen first.

- Icons for movie genres are black on white, but elsewhere everything is always white on red so they look out of place.

- Having the logon screen appear every time it is started while it automatically logs on rather than having a different load screen is a bit icky.

Hopefully it will get a bit more polished later...

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Has anyone else managed to get the app working on a device that's not on the VM list?

It doesn't seem like an exclusive list as it is working on my cheap £70 tablet. Before anyone asks, not rooted or sideloaded, just good old fashioned search and install from Google Play

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Has to be side loaded as a minimum as Google play won't allow install if the device is not on the supported list.

No need to root.

The phone version is on my nexus 7 (4.4) at the moment.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

If VM added streaming to ios first, I doubt it would have made much difference. It is not as if there was a short period of time between platform launches. The same number of android users would have complained because, at the time, they still would not have had the app available on Android anyway. VM had plenty of time to test and add 3G via ios first. They could then have worked towards making the android app the same. Imagine the praise VM would have got for launching a TV "anywhere" app with 3G streaming allowed.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Reference Jamiefrost Could you please tell me where to download the apk so I can attempt to sideload? I have a nexus 7 (2012)

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Search google and you will find it.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

There is a link earlier in the thread, it downloads the phone version though.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks for the heads up should have mentioned I am rooted at ver 4.22 I tried com.virginmedia.tvanywhere.zip but it did not seem to work. BTW there is an App TVcatchup which appears to let you watch your channels via wifi.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

If you're rooted the VM app won't work anyway.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks for the information looks like all my waiting was for nothing.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I wouldn't worry, you're really not missing much.

Even if you do get the app to work, streaming doesn't work on most devices. Even if streaming works it only works over wifi which means you're probably at home, in which case you'd obviously watch the tv not a 2 inch screen.

That leaves the management of recordings. Although handy this is nothing more than the TiVo Commander app provided 18 months ago, until VM blocked it. This app is a lot slower than that - seems to take an age to even just log in.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Not supporting rooted devices was 100% expected.

Depends on your needs but we use the iPad version all the time. It doesn't do what some people wanted but i never saw the appeal of streaming over 3g.

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks for the confirmation that it works on the Fire HD.

Missus has ordered me one for Christmas, but as you cant get Google Play wasnt sure I'd ever be able to get the app - good to know I can :)

Cheers
T

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Good choice, it's a really good value tablet, and there are plenty of alternative app stores available, you're not tied in to Amazon, you just can't use Google play. And if you have another device which does have access to Google play then you can even use it to download the apk and then transfer it to your kindle. Amazon effectively subsidise the price of the kindle so you use their app store, but they haven't shut down the work arounds. Enjoy.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Didn't know there was workarounds one thing that has put me off the kindle tablets is that google play wasn't available, might get one now. The fire hdx looks brilliant.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

And today only Amazon are selling the Kindle Fire HDX with £30 off :D

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I know; bargain, think i'll get myself one for Christmas.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Don't forget the free app every day :)

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thats great to know! I have an ageing HTC Desire S, so can use that if I ever need to get anything that is Google Play only :)

Cheers for the advise

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Must be a glitch somewhere as all I did was search Google play and it allowed me to download, install and use as per any other app.

It connected to my TiVo first time and works as I assume intended. As I mentioned before, clearly not an exclusive device list from VM. Not that I'm complaining :)

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

its a rubbish app you cant watch over 3g or 4g signal waste of time

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Looks like the increased demand through the app is causing problems. Ipad saying cannot connect to TV Anywhere due to high demand :(

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I had that too but it seems to have resolved.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Sky release a tablet version which vastly increases compatibility over Android devices.

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Go-o...e/td-p/1505025

I like how they give details of their plan for Android.

VM take note!

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

So no support for 4.4 and its going to take them 6 months to rotate the menus through 90 to make them landscape ;)

J

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I'm using Sky Go on a Nexus 5 with 4.4 and Sky Go tablet on a Nexus 7 with 4.4 both work pretty well , only issue I've seen is the stated one of the stream taking a little longer to become clear and we are literally talking seconds.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I side loaded the app on my S2 as GooglePlay said my device is'nt compatlible.

Works OK, but wont stream and can't connect to Tivo, even though YouTube and Netflx have the TV screen icon on my phone allowing me to push those apps on the Tivo without pressing a button.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

You checked that you've got Network remote control switched on in the settings?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

I can't even find the app on Google play I'm assuming it's beause I've had the kitkat update on my nexus 7 (2012).

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Hit the nail on the head :D

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Thanks. Stephen.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

why do you have to have tivo? my pc works with tv anywhere.?? and I don't have tivo

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

Because it's a TiVo management app with added streaming.

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

OK. So it's not the TV Anywhere app that VM promised, and we've been waiting over a year for.

Can you tell us when we can expect the promised TV Anywhere app will arrive then please?

Re: TV Anywhere Android App
 

No, it is exactly that app. However as has been said from the start, and is exactly the same for the iOS version, it's only available if you have TiVo

For customers without TiVo, you can use the web version of TV Anywhere only