Verizon Droid Doesn't - Gapless Playback

[BleedingPurist]

If the Droid Doesn't have gapless playback, that would be the one thing the iPhone holds over it that would prevent me from making the switch.

There is not a single mention of this, it would be nice to assume it as basic functionality as it should be....but the fact is it hasn't been. Will it be now?

[hondamx525]

Uh... what is gapless playback even?

[eminembdg]

I'm thinking the same thing... Gapless playback?

Is this what you mean? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapless_playback ? just no silence or clicks between music?

[hondamx525]

and if you do... really man? You wouldn't switch because of a second or so between songs?

[eminembdg]

and if you do... really man? You wouldn't switch because of a second or so between songs?

Yea! I mean , to each his own, but that's a really odd reason to switch. But again, that's your prerogative lol.

Odd.. just very .... Odd reason lol

[Iceberg]

Sigh.


Really big sigh.

[deserttopping]

this does matter if you're listening to a concept album, or something else where the track breaks don't occur during silence.

i know, it's not a dedicated mp3 player, but this is not an insignificant feature on mp3 players. the gap can be annoying.

[hondamx525]

Look at the guys post history. 8 out of his 11 posts are about gapless playback, dating back to 2008. this man really cares about his gapless playback.

[eminembdg]

this does matter if you're listening to a concept album, or something else where the track breaks don't occur during silence.

i know, it's not a dedicated mp3 player, but this is not an insignificant feature on mp3 players. the gap can be annoying.

I understand that. But seriously ... gapless playback being a make or break for decision? Like I said though, to each his own. :)

[eminembdg]

Look at the guys post history. 8 out of his 11 posts are about gapless playback, dating back to 2008. this man really cares about his gapless playback.

HAHAHAHAHA! Wow, I never even bothered to check his history. He really does care.

[deserttopping]

hey, maybe he's roger waters, or yo yo ma, or somebody. then you'll al feel silly. :D

[BleedingPurist]

Yes, I do mean no gaps between tracks. No, it's not a strange reason.

I'm a music fan. I listen to alot of concept and live albums. They are not meant to be experienced with clicks and gaps nor should they be in this day and age. It's important because my phone also becomes my music carrier in addition to everything else it does. I do not want to have to carry around an Ipod.

For all the flack the iPhone gets for failing in areas of basic functionality, for a phone that aims to put it to shame it would be hypocritical to fail at ensuring the audio experience is matched or improved on.

Don't make the mistake of framing me as an Apple fan boy. I'm far from it. I've been wanting an Android phone since the G1. The G1 failed in the music department in more than one way. Let's not downplay the importance of a superior audio experience. The point is to be able to carry ONE device that does it all. I certainly hope Droid Does.

[hondamx525]

well android will be android, it doesnt matter what phone it is. But i will tell you that JUST because it doesnt have gapless playback does not mean it isnt better the the iphone. People have different needs, and if the phone doesnt meet yours that stinks. The iphone is a good phone though so if you are happy with it and thats a big enough reason to keep you from switching over then so be it. You just wont find too many people fighting your cause because i would say to the majority, its not that big of a deal.

[BleedingPurist]

HAHAHAHAHA! Wow, I never even bothered to check his history. He really does care.

Yes, I do care.

I mostly lurk. Since I don't use an android device I've had little reason to post. Hopefully that changes. I loved the OS from when I tried the G1 for a month and really missed it when I opted to go the iPhone route instead. The point was I knew they would get it right eventually, but not with G1 and it's crap audio experience and battery life.

[BleedingPurist]

well android will be android, it doesnt matter what phone it is. But i will tell you that JUST because it doesnt have gapless playback does not mean it isnt better the the iphone. People have different needs, and if the phone doesnt meet yours that stinks. The iphone is a good phone though so if you are happy with it and thats a big enough reason to keep you from switching over then so be it. You just wont find too many people fighting your cause because i would say to the majority, its not that big of a deal.

Yes, Android will be Android regardless of the phone. However, this is the debut of 2.0, so i'm hoping the issue has been resolved. What about build 1.6? Has anyone checked to see if it was already resolved with that?

The iPhone suffices, but it was hardly my dream phone. It won out for having the superior browser and music experience. If Droid does what I want I may very well be lining up next Friday for it.

[Vincent]

This is hardly a showstopper. Stay tune for my full review of droid.

[bmcclure937]

Is there any way that a different media player can be used on the Droid or a third-party mod could allow for gapless playback??

I am not going to jump on either side of the fence here because I could care less about gapless or not gapless playback... I am just trying to help the guy out and see if there are alternatives in case Android 2.0 does not have gapless. It would be a shame for that one thing to be a dealbreaker, especially if there are "unofficial" remedies to the problem.

[konzern]

thats what i was looking into, you could always email a developer of other music players and ask them if they could add that feature

[Derrick]

thats what i was looking into, you could always email a developer of other music players and ask them if they could add that feature

Thats what I was thinking. Unless its a hardware issue (which I doubt) I'm sure some of the devs for music apps would be willing to put it in their apps. Or if an app cannot control that type of thing maybe Cyan could put it in his ROMs.

[ajm144k]

see this: http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/155b6da2c39494cf?fwc=1&pli=1

i guess you could look into converting your music files to the OGG format.

[thundermax]

for concept albums and concerts, I have the albums saved as 1 large mp3 file.

voila! gapless playback! This is a 'workaround' that iPod users have been doing since they came out.

[konzern]

ahhhhhhhhh easy work around

[BleedingPurist]

for concept albums and concerts, I have the albums saved as 1 large mp3 file.

voila! gapless playback! This is a 'workaround' that iPod users have been doing since they came out.

Yes, this was the solution.... In 1999. It's obsolete. iPod users don't actually have to do this at all since gapless playback is basic unspoken functionality.

I have a large maintained music library on my HDD. Changing file types or single file CD rips are an unacceptable solution. Thanks though.

[BleedingPurist]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I had hoped for an App that would resolve it, but appears the issues lies with the OS itself, which is why I hoped they fix it with subsequent builds. Apparently someone needs to knock the OS developers on their heads.

[jcostom]

i know, it's not a dedicated mp3 player, but this is not an insignificant feature on mp3 players. the gap can be annoying.

Mountain, meet mole hill.

If a tiny gap between your songs is the most annoying thing in your life, you've got it pretty good.

[Vinter]

wtf, this is really a complaint? .... seriously?

if developers were putting effort into this crap, i'd be angry

..... @_@

[BleedingPurist]

wtf, this is really a complaint? .... seriously?

if developers were putting effort into this crap, i'd be angry

..... @_@

Do you realize this is basic functionality? Mp3 and the variations on the format are becoming the standard. Why is it asking too much to be able to experience albums as they were mastered? Try listening to Dark Side of the Moon and getting lost in it only to hear what sounds like the recording is f**ked up with drop outs? Don't bother arguing that the solution is to listen to the CD, CD's are going to be phased out eventually.

We live in a world where apparently it's asking too much just to watch TV with the audio perfectly in sync because of all the technology involved with the sound and picture. If you play Rock Band or Guitar Hero you'll notice they have options for calibrating the sound because it's a pretty common problem with modern technology. I'm sure people like the above poster also have apathetic attitudes about that, too. That doesn't make my taking issue with trying to watch a concert and being distracted by the fact the they all look like they are badly lip syncing any less valid. We shouldn't be moving backwards as we are moving forward. HDMI cancels out Closed Captioning signals for displaying subtitles. Another example of oversight in technology that comes off as sloppy. Again, probably not important to you, but very important to those who need it. Basic functionality that suddenly no longer becomes a given after decades of not even something to have to consider.

There is no good justification for Android not accomplishing a basic function with the audio as it moves forward in dominating the handheld market. Just because your music listening is limited to quick .99 cent single downloads of the latest Lady Gaga track doesn't make the rest of the hardcore music fans desire to listen to full albums as they were meant to be experienced any less important.

[deserttopping]

Mountain, meet mole hill.

If a tiny gap between your songs is the most annoying thing in your life, you've got it pretty good.

I think it's safe to say that very little on a mobile phone forum qualifies as "the most annoying thing" in anyone's life, but nice rhetorical flourish, there.

I was simply backing the OP on making a not-unreasonable request.

[Derrick]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I had hoped for an App that would resolve it, but appears the issues lies with the OS itself, which is why I hoped they fix it with subsequent builds. Apparently someone needs to knock the OS developers on their heads.

If thats the case you should definitely head over to XDA or twitter/email any of the numerous devs working on their own ROMs. Those devs are always looking for feedback and if its possible I'm sure at least one of them wouldn't mind trying to implant it into their builds.

[BleedingPurist]

It looks like the developers are already working on implementation.

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3461

[ShdwDrake]

Wait what? So on mixtapes there will be like a gap between the songs? That sucks but ill live, I'm getting rid of ATT and its a sacrifice im willing to make.

[Kings to me]

Huh, thats a selling point for some? I couldnt care less for that feature, none of my songs tie together.

[ShdwDrake]

Huh, thats a selling point for some? I couldnt care less for that feature, none of my songs tie together.

It's not deal breaker for me but its nice to have when listening to mixtapes or some albums where tracks blend together. As long as the gap is minor I'm good though.

[Iceberg]

Why on Earth is this thread even still going?

[ahugo68]

Why on Earth is this thread even still going?


that is exactly what i thought

[thundermax]

Why on Earth is this thread even still going?

because it's fun to read posts by someone who has no idea we are all laughing at them for such a silly complaint

[deserttopping]

because it's fun to read posts by someone who has no idea we are all laughing at them for such a silly complaint

maybe that's more fun than sitting here, wondering why several of you are having a cow. fact: for certain kinds of music, this is an annoyance. you don't listen to that kind of music? woohoo, lucky you. you don't care about this, and think it's "silly"? um, nice of you to take the time to say so. doubtless, all of of the issues you've raised on the forum since you registered are serious business. i don't see many people rolling their eyes at youtube, twitter, or widget problems, so why pile on over this? android isn't, at the moment, on par with these devices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapless_playback#Player_support) for music playback. the op would like it to be. so would i. if that pales in comparison to the world-shattering severity of your *ahem* gadget troubles, well...whatever.

enjoy your shadenfreude.

[ShdwDrake]

I'm thinking when I get my droid I wont use it for music...

[Iceberg]

As far as it concerns me.
1. The Android platform doesn't really have a native music player.
2. It's not an Ipod or an Iphone
3. Usually lacks a 3.5mm headset jack
4. the battery life complete sucks.
5. If your god damn music is so enriching and requires such a feature why are you attempting to implement it everyday life over actually enjoying it in surreal environment.

[djunio]

This reminds me of that iphone thread that wouldnt die.
P.s. I am not linking it because i dont want it come back alive lol.

[djunio]

This reminds me of that iphone thread that wouldnt die.
P.s. I am not linking it because i dont want it come back alive lol.

[BleedingPurist]

And why is that?

You people who have problems comprehending the need for gapless shouldn't be posting here. This isn't a thread putting down Android or Droid. It isn't an "iPhone is better" thread.

Cell Phones are simply not just phones anymore. They are taking the place of items that once all served as a single function into one handheld tool, mp3 players being one of them. Mp3 is becoming the standard. Why should Android's media player settle for substandard? Would we all accept a record player that skips between songs, a tape player that drops out between songs, a CD player that pauses between tracks?

How many of you are kids not even above age 25 who have a music vocabulary limited to Single download mp3s of the latest crud manufactured for quick consumption by one hit wonders? Again, if that's you you shouldn't be posting here. Finally, again while you may have trouble comprehending the need... The people that actual develop Android's media player do find there is a need.

[EFDisaster]

not to revive a "thread that wouldn't die" but I just tried listening to an album, instead of shuffling, and it is really annoying that the native player doesn't have gapless playback. I had "reconnected" with my albums, on my iPod, by setting the shuffle option to "by album." I would really appreciate a feature like that as well...

And when I do a straight-up shuffle, I'd love to have a feature like "sound check" on iTunes/iPod... a normalization of volume levels.

[Synergy]

not to revive a "thread that wouldn't die" but I just tried listening to an album, instead of shuffling, and it is really annoying that the native player doesn't have gapless playback. I had "reconnected" with my albums, on my iPod, by setting the shuffle option to "by album." I would really appreciate a feature like that as well...

And when I do a straight-up shuffle, I'd love to have a feature like "sound check" on iTunes/iPod... a normalization of volume levels.

I think one of the major goals/points of android was to have third party developers write better apps and have competition always driving people to improve their work. That's why the default apps are pretty lame.

[EFDisaster]

Wow, I just read about the fact that it supports gapless playback of Ogg files. I remember hearing about Ogg in 2001 and thinking "high quality AND no patents/licensing issues? I'm gonna convert all my files to Ogg!" ... that idea lasted for about a month. I'm actually tempted to do it again, though.

[RipIt]

From what I can tell it looks like the recent OpenCore 2.0.6 version has indeed added Gapless playback as a new feature.

http://android.git.kernel.org/?p=platform/external/opencore.git;a=commitdiff;h=3a849729baf9dcbb95ad6a 8f7f9e8a97100a4e8b;hp=4ff4b21d7d61394c332a1ba67d23 7388f5eac14f

Hopefully we get this in the pending Android 2.0.1 upgrade and do not have to wait for 2.1.

I'm with BleedingPurist on this issue - Gapless playback is a must for my musical enjoyment.

[EFDisaster]

I've got 2.0.1 on my Droid and I just tested it, still has gaps :(

[RipIt]

Same here. As before, the gap is less noticeable on the Vorbis files, so we are going to ditch our MP3's and convert all our FLAC files to Vorbis. I hope the next Android update fixes this issue. I'm simply appalled that project managers, and hardware/software developers consider these gaps acceptable. Seems that most DAP's are a step backwards in this sense - too bad.

[Torch]

This is a complete bloody deal breaker. I was all set to get a Galaxy S or Droid 2 since I was very satisfied with my experience with the Nexus One as a development phone, until I saw this thread. EVERY multimedia device I've owned has gapless playback support from my cheap ass dot matrix MP3 player to my iPod and the PSP. Sony broke the gapless playback in 3.72 firmware and I sent them an e-mail about it and they fixed it in 3.73. That's how important it is on a multimedia device!!

I just went ahead and got an iPhone 4 because it doesn't look anyone gives a crap and if I buy current Android phone I can't load a custom ROM because of the bootrom signature BS. Android has been corrupted and locked down and I can't install my own build even if I fixed the gapless playback myself. Locked down iPhone is better than locked down Android. Good riddance.

[Scythe]

This is an old topic now...

If you want gapless included in Android, star the enhancement request: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3461

Either that or wait till a dev decides to build an app which goes around the built-in sound system. I've considered doing it, but I don't have enough time.

[Torch]

I could have fixed it myself, if not for the bootrom signature check preventing custom ROMs. There is no way I am using another app. It's almost guaranteed to have a crappy UI and crapload of other problems compared to the built in player. This needs a patch, not a new app. The biggest problem is even if it's fixed, it probably won't be in a release until 3.0, and good luck if anyone thinks these phones are going to be upgraded. As this is a problem with the core libraries, I wonder if it can be replaced on a current firmware even after rooting.