Conduits Pocket Player 2.51

[bkbroil]

Infosync has a review of Conduits Pocket Player 2.51. It's a great looking audio player for your PPC that does alot more that the built in Media Player. Conduits also offers a WM2003SE version.
Like most audio players, it can run in the background, optionally relinquishing its control of hardware buttons as it does so. However, while in background mode Pocket Player can be accessed by a status bar and today screen icon for quick track control while the user continues in another application.
The forgetful will appreciate the sleep timer, which can turn the Pocket PC off if it's left on by accident, say when the screen is turned off. Similarly, there's auto screen shut-off at user discretion. Well-implemented bookmark and auto-resume functionality caters for audiobook junkies, while the audiophile will appreciate the fully customisable EQ with presents, which is accessible from the main screen.
Conclusion
We were very impressed with Pocket Player. Conduits have done a great job of fulfilling every feature we could think of, and still keeping the program enjoyably simple, not to mention pretty. All popular file formats, and even some more obscure ones such as Ogg Vorbis, are supported, and users shouldn't have a single problem locating a skin of their liking given the application's support for WinAMP 2 skins. Pocket Player comes highly recommended.
What's positive: Intuitive and user friendly; great skins and visualisations; broad format support
What's negative: In the upper price range for audio players
I haven't used anything but Media Player, what do you use? and why?

[jkendrick]

I LOVE this player. There, I've said it and I feel better having it out in the open. Everything about this player looks good, sounds good, and just plain works right. Running it in QVGA- no problem the skin is perfect. Running it in VGA- no problem the skin adjusts automatically. Switching to landscape- switches again so all functionality is available.
What I like about Pocket Player:
SHOUTCAST streams. I love streaming music over WiFi and PP handles the streams wonderfully with no skips or lags. I took most MP3s off my device since switching to PP months ago and listen mostly to streams.
The equalizer works very well and you can preamp the volume up so loud on the e805 my wife tells me to turn it down!
This player just works and works well and Conduits has updated this regularly.
The only part of it that doesn't work well in SE is the Today screen plugin that lets you control it. But, just turn that off as a mini player is accessible in the notifications area on the top menu that lets you control the player without switching to it.

[bkbroil]

I LOVE this player. There, I've said it and I feel better having it out in the open

Now that's what I like to hear. I'm going to give it a trial. Having a WM2003SE version will probably cause me to purchase it. Thanks for the feedback.

[Brad Isaac]

I have always been tempted by Conduits player too. The shoutcast streaming is the main reason it appeals to me. But I've also heard it supports quite a few formats and supports them well.

[jkendrick]

Full MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, WAV support

[jkendrick]

BTW, according to the Conduits support forum there is an early copy of version 2.52 which completely fixes a couple of SE issues. They recommend you email them at support AT conduits DOT com to request it.
I have done so but haven't heard back from them so I requested it again today.

[bkbroil]

so can I request that version even if I do not own Pocket Player? Is it a beta version or a timed trial?

[jkendrick]

Originally Posted by bkbroil

so can I request that version even if I do not own Pocket Player? Is it a beta version or a timed trial?

I would think you should own it before requesting the trial although they might send it to you anyway. All versions are full-featured 30 day trials until registered. The existing version works well enough for daily use even without the early version. Download the trial and give it a go, just remember that any quirks you might run across are likely already fixed in 2.52.

[jkendrick]

Early release 2.52 fixes all outstanding SE issues including fixing the Today screen plugin.
OT, bk- Spb has a beta program for Pocket Plus 2.1 beta that is the SE version. It's working OK so far for me.
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/supp...a.php?en&id=15

[bkbroil]

OT, bk- Spb has a beta program for Pocket Plus 2.1 beta that is the SE version. It's working OK so far for me

Kewell! I just downloaded it...and I'm going to submit feedback to get my free licensed version. WooHoo!
Thanks for the tip!

[bkbroil]

This Pocket Plus for WM2003SE is excellent! The themes are cool and the program launcher is cool! I haven't stopped playing with it since I downloaded it!

[jkendrick]

Do you find the PPC much slower while running it? It seems to be slower than before. I'm going to run it a while and then disable it to see the difference.

[bkbroil]

okay, I'm back on my desktop....I was posting all night from e805...
I didn't really notice it running that much slower...but then again, I was playing around in the Pocket Plus configuration screens..Even if it does run a little slower, I'm keeping it! I really, really like this app.. I have my Toshiba almost back to the point of when I was running MyVGA and CLaunch. Plus I don't have to reset to change screen orientation. Did I mention how much I like this!
I like the themes that they put in, I like the fact that I can choose from all the system functions and programs to put into my tabs, I like the battery meter (set to large) along the top, I like the fact that I can set the volume, config free wireless and access to most used programs right from the Today screen.
It's a keeper....and I'm happy to see that everyone who submits feedback get a FREE registered version when it's completed. Yay!

[jkendrick]

Do you still run Magic Button with it? I miss the running app icons in the menu bar.

[bkbroil]

Yes. I still have Magic button running with it. It still works fine. Hey, do you have Resco Keyboard? It's stinks in WM2003SE and I haven't checked to see if they have an update. Also is there an update for Netfront yet? It's very usable as it is..but it would be nice to be able to have a horizontal scroll bar and be able to see the location bar.

[jkendrick]

1. Yes but don't use it.
2. No, not yet.
I like the new keyboard with SE. Netfront is not saying when they will release an update. It will be interesting to see as they had two different versions- one specifically for the e800 and the regular one. I got the e800 one- is that the one you have?

[bkbroil]

I got the e800 one- is that the one you have?

Yes.

[jkendrick]

Cool.