Official Slacker Forums

[krell]

I am curious. I thought the reason that the iPhone app does not have the caching functionality is because Apple rejected that aspect? Today, the Spotify iPhone app appeared and it provides for an "offline mode" where up to 3,300 songs are cached to the device's memory for playing when no network is available (or you can force it to play the offline cache even when a network is available). *?

Just curious as to whether any of the Slacker folks have insight into this. Any plans to submit an update to the app that includes offline functionality (maybe with a note to Apple saying, hey -- why the different treatment)?

I would be very interested in this functionality because it would enable iPod Touch users to really use Slacker. I feel it is too crippled now because, frankly, if I am home (where I have WiFi), I would much rather listen to my own music collection than Slacker's -- where I need/want Slacker is on the road.

BTW, if this functionality was introduced, it would mean the $100 I just spent on two Slacker Portables was wasted... but I would still be happy about it.

[krell]

Now Rhapsody has joined the iPhone party. I respectfully suggest you put the caching mode back in and resubmit to the app store -- you might be surprised by it getting through this time!

[RayG]

I think Apple would still deny it, especially a Free version. They might okay a paid version of caching as long as they get their cut.

[krell]

That makes no sense, as the Spotify app is free in the App Store (I think the Rhapsody app is/will be free too) -- you just have to pay the monthly fees to use them -- and I do not think Apple gets a cut of the monthly subscription fees.

[mhite]

Bump bump bump! We need an offline mode! Please stay competitive, Slacker!

[RayG]

If there is a monthly charge then the app isn't "free". Slacker is a free app without monthly fees, unless you want the "Premium" version. I doubt Apple would allow the free version on the iPhone. They might allow the Premium version IF they get their cut of any monthly fees.

[krell]

As I said before and will say again (right now), there are a TON of apps in the App Store that are free to download/install but have a cost to use. See Remember the Milk, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. Slacker already is like this, in that you get unlimited skips, etc., if you are a subscriber. I am speculating the same as you but I would bet a lot of $$$ that Apple gets no cut of the monthly fees from RTM, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. The subscription deals are between the other company and the customer, and have nothing to do with the App Store. Apple gets a cut of the cost of the app, that's it.

I really suspect that the reason apps like Spotify and Rhapsody have recently gotten through is that Apple is now under the microscope of the FCC/FTC as a result of the Google Voice debacle. We have seen a ton of apps go through recently that might not have in the past.

I urge Slacker to try again and let us know how it goes. It is simple -- if Spotify is allowed to do it, why can't Slacker???!?!?

[RomeE]

As I said before and will say again (right now), there are a TON of apps in the App Store that are free to download/install but have a cost to use. See Remember the Milk, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. Slacker already is like this, in that you get unlimited skips, etc., if you are a subscriber. I am speculating the same as you but I would bet a lot of $$$ that Apple gets no cut of the monthly fees from RTM, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. The subscription deals are between the other company and the customer, and have nothing to do with the App Store. Apple gets a cut of the cost of the app, that's it.

I really suspect that the reason apps like Spotify and Rhapsody have recently gotten through is that Apple is now under the microscope of the FCC/FTC as a result of the Google Voice debacle. We have seen a ton of apps go through recently that might not have in the past.

I urge Slacker to try again and let us know how it goes. It is simple -- if Spotify is allowed to do it, why can't Slacker???!?!?

We've stated before that currently we have an exclusivity with RIM for the Caching on the BlackBerry Devices. That being said, we also acknowledged that during this time, we haven't explored caching on the iPhone because of the agreement with RIM it didn't make sense to explore something that we can't do anyways.

Now, as long as we have the exclusivity with RIM, it limits caching to only BlackBerry phones. If the exclusivity with RIM expires (or they choose not to keep the exclusivity) then we will explore other platforms.

The iphone does present some unique issues though. Since you can not multi-task with the iphone and 3rd party apps, it's very likely that if a cache solution is available, you wouldn't be able to listen and cache at the same time. But again, we'll go down this road when/if it's an option.

Best regards,
Rome E
Slacker Support

[krell]

Hey thanks for the response. I had read somewhere that Apple denied you the ability to do caching. I did not know about the exclusivity deal with RIM. That is very cool and good to know. Obviously it explains everything.

Keep up the good work. I am proud to be a Slacker!

[RomeE]

Hey thanks for the response. I had read somewhere that Apple denied you the ability to do caching. I did not know about the exclusivity deal with RIM. That is very cool and good to know. Obviously it explains everything.

Keep up the good work. I am proud to be a Slacker!

Apple didn't deny Caching because we've never included it in an app submission. They did deny our app initially due to some of their policies and stuff, but we were able to work around those and get the app approved.

Thanks,
Rome E
Slacker Support

[johnsongrantr]

We've stated before that currently we have an exclusivity with RIM for the Caching on the BlackBerry Devices. That being said, we also acknowledged that during this time, we haven't explored caching on the iPhone because of the agreement with RIM it didn't make sense to explore something that we can't do anyways.

Now, as long as we have the exclusivity with RIM, it limits caching to only BlackBerry phones. If the exclusivity with RIM expires (or they choose not to keep the exclusivity) then we will explore other platforms.

The iphone does present some unique issues though. Since you can not multi-task with the iphone and 3rd party apps, it's very likely that if a cache solution is available, you wouldn't be able to listen and cache at the same time. But again, we'll go down this road when/if it's an option.

Best regards,
Rome E
Slacker Support

sooo... somewhat off topic, understood iPhone slacker app doesn't include this because of exclusive rights to that functionality with RIM. 3 questions though.

1)Does this mean that a winmo and android app will not include cacheing as well?

2)How does exclusive rights to cache mode work and when does it currently expire?

3)Why does it not effect the sony walkman?

[RomeE]

We've stated before that currently we have an exclusivity with RIM for the Caching on the BlackBerry Devices. That being said, we also acknowledged that during this time, we haven't explored caching on the iPhone because of the agreement with RIM it didn't make sense to explore something that we can't do anyways.

Now, as long as we have the exclusivity with RIM, it limits caching to only BlackBerry phones. If the exclusivity with RIM expires (or they choose not to keep the exclusivity) then we will explore other platforms.

The iphone does present some unique issues though. Since you can not multi-task with the iphone and 3rd party apps, it's very likely that if a cache solution is available, you wouldn't be able to listen and cache at the same time. But again, we'll go down this road when/if it's an option.

Best regards,
Rome E
Slacker Support

sooo... somewhat off topic, understood iPhone slacker app doesn't include this because of exclusive rights to that functionality with RIM. 3 questions though.

1)Does this mean that a winmo and android app will not include cacheing as well?

2)How does exclusive rights to cache mode work and when does it currently expire?

3)Why does it not effect the sony walkman?

Some of this I don't have the information too.

1). At this time, they would fall into the same category as the iPhone. As long as RIM has an exclusive, then they have an exclusive.
2). I'm not sure I understand the first part, but it means that RIM has an exclusive to Caching with the BlackBerry Phones. I can't give you a date for when it expires, because RIM has options to continue the exclusivity. So, they can continue to work with our team and as long as business decisions are made to keep the exclusivity in place it will remain in place.
3). Walkman isn't a phone.

Thanks,
Rome E
Slacker Support

[johnsongrantr]

Some of this I don't have the information too.

1). At this time, they would fall into the same category as the iPhone. As long as RIM has an exclusive, then they have an exclusive.
2). I'm not sure I understand the first part, but it means that RIM has an exclusive to Caching with the BlackBerry Phones. I can't give you a date for when it expires, because RIM has options to continue the exclusivity. So, they can continue to work with our team and as long as business decisions are made to keep the exclusivity in place it will remain in place.
3). Walkman isn't a phone.

Thanks,
Rome E
Slacker Support

Thanks for the reply, that is very unfortuneate. I was seriously looking forward to the cacheing ability to hit android.

Maybe there could be a workaround as android is also being marketed as a media and tablet OS in some devices as well. Hopefully RIM has paid alot for this right because cacheing IMO was what set slacker apart from pandora and last.fm it not comming to additional OS's is sure to disappoint more than just myself.

Thanks agian.
-Grant

[jdaghir]

Very disappointing to hear that cacheing is contractually exclusive to Blackberry devices. The Windows Mobile and Android apps will be significantly less compelling without that capability, as is the Iphone app. I understand that it was a business decision by Slacker, but I certainly hope they received a BIG wad of cash in exchange for the exclusivity as I believe the lack of cacheing will certainly slow the growth of slacker on other mobile platforms.

[DoublEE]

Boo Slacker!!!

[slacktunes]

Thanks for the info Rome E. Been following this and I was wondering after reading this about the Ipod Touch? This would not obviously qualify as a phone (like the Sony Walkman) and the caching ability would be perfect for the Touch. But, I'm assuming that as goes the Iphone goes the Touch because of the shared apps......

[RomeE]

Thanks for the info Rome E. Been following this and I was wondering after reading this about the Ipod Touch? This would not obviously qualify as a phone (like the Sony Walkman) and the caching ability would be perfect for the Touch. But, I'm assuming that as goes the Iphone goes the Touch because of the shared apps......

We have talked about this. 2 thinks. First, confusion... As it is now, at least neither is supported, if we could support one without the other, then that would probably make it even worse than it is now. Secondly, I'm not sure if you can target Touch's only. This is my personal comments here, but I have yet to see an application that is only for a touch, not a iphone. So, we might not be able to limit to only the touch.

That being said, the iphone/ipod touch could be considered in the same regards, and since they run the same OS and apps, could be considered a phone, even though the touch can't make calls over AT&T.

Best regards,
Rome E
Slacker Support

[johnsongrantr]

That being said, the iphone/ipod touch could be considered in the same regards, and since they run the same OS and apps, could be considered a phone, even though the touch can't make calls over AT&T.

guess that goes android as well (netbooks, pmp, media players)

*waves goodbye*

[jasonheyd]

Wow. Caching for Slacker being exclusive to RIM is almost as annoying as the iPhone being exclusive to AT&T.

[RomeE]

Wow. Caching for Slacker being exclusive to RIM is almost as annoying as the iPhone being exclusive to AT&T.

And the Storm being Exclusive to Verizon, and the Pre being exclusive to Palm (for now)..

etc, etc, etc...

8*)

Rome