Erik Eisenberg (@comdorcet) had an idea for a product that would offer users an easy alternative to essentially "ripping" and adding audio files, from apps, to your music apps, or straight to your ringtones. Basically: he wanted to create an application that would allow you (the user) to browse your app's directories for that catchy jingle you couldn't get out of your head, and furthermore, the application would give you the ability to add that jingle/sound/etc, to your ringtones or music.
The idea was simple, and Erik put it into action, and that brings us here today: AudioExplorer+ is available in the Cydia store at $1.99. AudioExplorer+ is a fully functioning application for all that was previously mentioned: browsing app directories for music, and uploading it to your ringtones/music. Not only does it give you the functionality to do just that, it also has some added features that make it even easier for the average Joe. However, unfortunately, there are in fact some downsides which can lead to confusion for our friend Joe, as well.
The app works by searching your directory on the initial start-up, taking about a minute. It all starts with a prompt, asking if you would like your directory to be searched. After confirmation, and the minute-long wait, you are greeted with a list of compatible applications (apps that have sound files), and their icons. The directories contain all of the music files in a single folder, where they can easily be viewed/played in-app (a very neat feature). After this initial search is completed, the app will cache your simplified directories, for an easy second launch. Whenever you download a new application, you may initiate a full search again by pressing the refresh button, or, alternatively, you may select the "plus" (+) button, to initiate a "partial search". The partial search feature isolates the already searched applications from the ones that were not, and only searches the new applications. After the new search, your app directory will be saved and cached for future use.
Already a little confused by the different search buttons? I was too. Furthermore, attempting to import an audio file to my Music took me quite a while. The process starts simple: select the blue arrow icon, followed by "add to..." and then you're prompted with a menu that suggests you are about to select where you are going to import this file. After deciding to add the audio to my iPod Library, the screen flashed some text (far too quickly for me to read) and it seemed to have finished. I then spent about 90 seconds searching and refreshing my music app looking for the file before I realized they had simply been added to AudioExplorer+'s queue. Upon further analysis it seems the text that flashed "far too quickly" was the text informing me the file was being added to queue. Trust me, the screen is unreadably fast. I wasn't even able to snap a screenshot of it.
Rest assured, once you get through the confusion and learn how the application works, it is pretty much smooth-sailing. You can continue to add files to the queue under the two categories (iPod Library and Ringtones) through the blue arrows, or you can simply initiate the "multiple selection" feature to check off each track you want through the menu icon on the top right. The multiple selection feature offers a "select all" option for easy selection. Once you are satisfied with your selections, you may view your queue and see which files are organized to be imported to which library. After you are further satisfied with this confirmation, you may select "Save" in the top right of the app, which begins the import process. The process is quick and takes a little less than 15 seconds per average file, with longer than average for bigger files.
Check out your ringtones or your music app, and your selections should very well be there! The lack of customizable ID3 tags is frustrating, but the developer behind AudioExplorer+ plans on adding custom ID3 tag support in the future. Essentially, I have come to the conclusion that AudioExplorer+ is an app that I'm going to need. It enables quick and easy audio importing, which helps vastly for those who enjoy custom ringtones or some video-game music. However, the clunky UI and and lack of direction takes away from an overall better experience that the app fails to deliver. It is functional, more than I could ask for, and just great in ability, but is essentially difficult to understand when introduced.
AudioExplorer+, developed by Erik Eisenberg (@comdorcet), is available in the Cydia store for $1.99. A free version, AudioExplorer (without the plus), is also available; but has reduced import and search speeds, a less responsive UI, and a lack of a partial search feature.
For some insight on the first step on developing this entry, check here!
Already a little confused by the different search buttons? I was too. Furthermore, attempting to import an audio file to my Music took me quite a while. The process starts simple: select the blue arrow icon, followed by "add to..." and then you're prompted with a menu that suggests you are about to select where you are going to import this file. After deciding to add the audio to my iPod Library, the screen flashed some text (far too quickly for me to read) and it seemed to have finished. I then spent about 90 seconds searching and refreshing my music app looking for the file before I realized they had simply been added to AudioExplorer+'s queue. Upon further analysis it seems the text that flashed "far too quickly" was the text informing me the file was being added to queue. Trust me, the screen is unreadably fast. I wasn't even able to snap a screenshot of it.
Rest assured, once you get through the confusion and learn how the application works, it is pretty much smooth-sailing. You can continue to add files to the queue under the two categories (iPod Library and Ringtones) through the blue arrows, or you can simply initiate the "multiple selection" feature to check off each track you want through the menu icon on the top right. The multiple selection feature offers a "select all" option for easy selection. Once you are satisfied with your selections, you may view your queue and see which files are organized to be imported to which library. After you are further satisfied with this confirmation, you may select "Save" in the top right of the app, which begins the import process. The process is quick and takes a little less than 15 seconds per average file, with longer than average for bigger files.
Check out your ringtones or your music app, and your selections should very well be there! The lack of customizable ID3 tags is frustrating, but the developer behind AudioExplorer+ plans on adding custom ID3 tag support in the future. Essentially, I have come to the conclusion that AudioExplorer+ is an app that I'm going to need. It enables quick and easy audio importing, which helps vastly for those who enjoy custom ringtones or some video-game music. However, the clunky UI and and lack of direction takes away from an overall better experience that the app fails to deliver. It is functional, more than I could ask for, and just great in ability, but is essentially difficult to understand when introduced.
AudioExplorer+, developed by Erik Eisenberg (@comdorcet), is available in the Cydia store for $1.99. A free version, AudioExplorer (without the plus), is also available; but has reduced import and search speeds, a less responsive UI, and a lack of a partial search feature.
For some insight on the first step on developing this entry, check here!
Nice review! I can tell a lot of effort went into this.
ReplyDeleteIn case you're wondering, the original idea was an audiobook player for myself, since I have audiobooks in different apps. But I quickly realized the potential as a ringtone finder.
You make a lot of good points on how I could improve the app. In addition to what I mentioned in my comment on your other post, I'll have the overlay messages when adding to the queue stay visible a bit longer and contain info about what to do next. My most recent testing was mostly in multiple-selection mode, since that's what caused the most crashes.