Topic: JRemote as a Windows "Universal App"? (Read 19936 times)

Grenache · « **on:** September 01, 2015, 01:27:47 am »

Apparently, Microsoft now made it relatively easy to port iOS and Android apps to "Windows Universal Apps" that can run on all Windows 10 devices. Are you considering porting JRemote? It would be really great to be able to run it on Windows tablets and phones.

StFeder · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2015, 04:28:38 am »

Although there is that nice App "nMedium"/"nMedium Play" to control MC from Windows Phone (I think it is not universal, so unusable for tablets), it would be VERY nice to see some official support from JRiver here

But I'd guess it's a question of market share and user base. There are only very few Windows Phone users out here (sadly) and I suppose there are also not that much windows tablet users out here who are using a tablet the way iPad/Android users use their tablets. Most of the windows tablets are some kind of replacements for desktops/laptops (just guessing). So there is no strong need for a MC remote app because Windows tablets could run a library server and a full version of MC.

Anyway, as said above, I gratefully would welcome and use a universal app made/supported by JRiver!

pfm555 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2015, 09:13:26 am »

Quote from: Grenache on September 01, 2015, 01:27:47 am

Apparently, Microsoft now made it relatively easy to port iOS and Android apps to "Windows Universal Apps" that can run on all Windows 10 devices. Are you considering porting JRemote? It would be really great to be able to run it on Windows tablets and phones.

+1

jaxtherogue · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2015, 09:48:23 am »

I would get a lot of use out of this as well. Windows 10 Mobile market share will likely never be significant, but Windows 10 will be and given the range of devices Win10 runs on (desktops, laptops, tablets, phone, Xbox) a universal app version of JRemote would make a lot of sense.

jjazdk · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2015, 10:25:30 am »

+1

JRemote for Win10 would push my iPad mini into the garbage bin, I would love to run JRemote on both my Win10 laptop and a Win10 tablet.

Using JRiver as a remote control from another computer is (in my opinion) not even close to JRemote when it comes to usability.

Hellasschmidt · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2015, 05:07:15 am »

Hallo MC Users,

I am a new Member, Bernd is my name and I am using MC for years now.
Since now no problems, nearly perfect.
But: this is the first time I get a Member in a "Club"

like this for a BIG vote:

JREMOTE AS A UNIVERSAL APP !!!!

This would be very helpful for all users, ie. HTPC with a small Touchscreen in use dayover, enegie saving also.
Isnt it easy for the MC-Developers, with the windows 10 Tools from Microsoft?
Thanks for reply
Bernd

3car · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2015, 02:34:07 pm »

Abarth · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:32:39 am »

More than interested!
JRiver could eventually migrate to become a Universal App, and on devices without full license, it could work as a Remote.
W10 / W10 Mobile offers soo much opportunities now, it just hasn't become clear universally (pun intended)

icstm · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2015, 06:10:20 pm »

Abarth · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2016, 03:39:11 am »

No One seems interested to make such an App, it seems. A pity.

glynor · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2016, 03:53:05 pm »

Quote from: Abarth on March 23, 2016, 03:39:11 am

No One seems interested to make such an App, it seems. A pity.

Well, it doesn't help that Microsoft cancelled Project Astoria (the announced Android-porting functionality referred to in the OP of this thread).

Project Ironwood (the iOS porting bridge) does exist, but requires a substantial amount of work for developers to port to Windows apps (basically you still have to rebuild the entire UI, you can just port back-end code). Plus, that won't help with JRemote which is written in C# and is built with Xamarin. In theory the fact that JRemote is written in C# should make it easier to port to Windows, but I don't know what the code looks like, and all UI code would need to be redone entirely, as would anything that touches the Media Playback APIs. That's a massive chunk of what JRemote does.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2016, 05:49:16 pm »

Not only that, but the Windows Phone platform isn't really catching on and user adoption, as far as I know, is actually going down. It seems to me that Microsoft actually wants out of the mobile space, heh.

From a business point of view, it's likely not viable to invest time and money into a platform with an uncertain future. iOS and Android? Yeah, makes sense - those aren't going anywhere. Windows Phone? It could disappear in a blink of an eye.

RoderickGI · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2016, 08:35:33 pm »

I just wish Microsoft would get their act together.

They just seem to fail, fail, fail. Now it looks like they just want to move to a subscription revenue model for all their software, and they seem to have dropped the desire to be in all the Internet of Things, from embedded versions of Windows 10, to Windows Phone 10, to tablets, to full desktop systems.

They are re-organising slowly, but every change I hear about is to the detriment of customers, current and future. Disappointing.

glynor · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2016, 08:39:36 pm »

Quote from: RoderickGI on March 23, 2016, 08:35:33 pm

They are re-organising slowly, but every change I hear about is to the detriment of customers, current and future. Disappointing.

Not entirely.

They open sourced .NET, and just recently announced SQL Server for Linux. Both are, of course, for Azure, but they're also doing some really nice work on their Office Apps. Office for iPad is basically better than Office for Windows now (okay, not quite, but it is really, really quite good).

They're certainly shifting away from the Windows strategy. That's obvious. But, I think that's just accepting reality, to a large degree. Windows 8 was their "chance" and it failed miserably.

syndromeofadown · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2016, 11:49:24 am »

Quote

From a business point of view, it's likely not viable to invest time and money into a platform with an uncertain future. iOS and Android? Yeah, makes sense - those aren't going anywhere. Windows Phone? It could disappear in a blink of an eye.

Universal apps work on phones, tablets and PC's (you don't even need touch screen). There are a couple hundred million windows 10 users, and at 10 bucks per app JRiver can make 2 billion dollars from JRemote. Overnight too, I'm sure.

I would really like JRemote as a Universal app. I have a windows tablet, convertible laptop, and just preordered a Lumia 650 phone. My soon to be replaced work laptop will likely be a convertible as well. I don't use Apple products and am in the process of getting rid of all android products. It would be awesome to be able to keep using JRemote and Gizmo.

glynor · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2016, 02:22:53 pm »

Quote from: syndromeofadown on March 24, 2016, 11:49:24 am

Universal apps work on phones, tablets and PC's (you don't even need touch screen). There are a couple hundred million windows 10 users, and at 10 bucks per app JRiver can make 2 billion dollars from JRemote. Overnight too, I'm sure.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahhahahahahahahhaa! That's hysterical.

Abarth · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2016, 04:37:28 am »

Quote from: glynor on March 24, 2016, 02:22:53 pm

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahhahahahahahahhaa! That's hysterical.

Yeah, of course the JRiver user base is smaller than that.

But I would not dismiss this whole thing:
Full JRiver on one machine, and JRiver Unversal (Remote) App for tablets, notebooks and, yes, even phones in the same network.
Don't underestimate MS with their strategy.

Btw, here an update how they plan to continue:
http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-memo-reveals-shifting-mobile-strategy?utm_medium=slider&utm_campaign=navigation&utm_source=wp

And look at iPad sales tendency, compared to Surface. And how MS was laughed at, when they came with Surface 1.

slerch666 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2016, 09:06:51 am »

Sorry for adding my $.02 to a thread that looks like it had sorta died, but I'd love this as well.

If JRemote was really done with Xamarin, AND written in C#, in theory it would be stupid easy to transfer to a UWP app. This UWP would cover not just Windows 10 Mobile (which is what everyone is making fun of), it would also cover Windows 10 proper. I'd like JRemote from my SP3. I'd love it from my Lumia 950XL as well (stop laughing. Seriously. Stop laughing. I actually like my Windows Phone. And I have a work provided iPhone)

The real issue comes down to support. Does JRiver have enough people to support this app? That is, if it doesn't JUST WORK, and someone has to spend time compiling it, then recompiling it when new versions are available, then also publishing to another store, does JRiver have the people to cover this?

Sure. The forums handle a lot of the grunt work, but there is some work that needs to occur.

I'm all for the +1 here, if it made sense and could be supported properly and wouldn't put an undue burden on the JRiver devs.

glynor · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2016, 09:25:15 am »

Quote from: slerch666 on May 27, 2016, 09:06:51 am

This UWP would cover not just Windows 10 Mobile (which is what everyone is making fun of), it would also cover Windows 10 proper.

Yeah, but MC already runs on Windows 10, and can be used as a full-fledged remote control for any other copy of MC.

I don't see what benefit a universal app would provide other than access to Windows Phone. And Microsoft just fired their whole hardware division, so where are the Windows Phones going to come from next year?

slerch666 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2016, 10:43:43 am »

Quote from: glynor on May 27, 2016, 09:25:15 am

Yeah, but MC already runs on Windows 10, and can be used as a full-fledged remote control for any other copy of MC.

I don't see what benefit a universal app would provide other than access to Windows Phone. And Microsoft just fired their whole hardware division, so where are the Windows Phones going to come from next year?

Yes and no. I'd like the app because it would be more convenient for me personally. But as I said, I see diminishing returns, and wouldn't want to take away from meaningful JRiver development to support my selfishness.

UWP app would probably be a better proposition than the full program on a small screen tablet, which will potentially be running Windows 10 Mobile (what was once known as Windows Phone... which was once known as... Windows Mobile...), not the full version of Win 10. There are manufacturers who will be releasing devices of this type, where a JRemote option would be the only option. Other than RDPing or remoting into a desktop running full Win 10 and JRiver that is, which is a PITA in its own right.

Scaling is, honestly, a huge PITA in JRiver on the Surface Pro 3. It's gotten a ton better, but not where I wish it was. Of course, on cheaper tablets, you wouldn't have scaling issues, since you wouldn't have a higher res screen so no need to scale.

As far as firing the hardware division, they gutted the remains of Nokia. There are still rumors of a Surface Phone (or Windows 10 Mobile device) swirling, and there are a small hand full of manufacturers that will release budget Windows Phones. And the other unknown is Windows Mobile on tablets.

But again, I know. Some amount of work, even if it's just 2 hours of work (probably more), for some unknown payback, if any payback at all.

RD James · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2016, 12:13:07 pm »

Let's not pretend that using the desktop version of JRiver is a good experience on a high DPI touchscreen device compared to JRemote on an iPad. The two are worlds apart.
I would love to see work done on either having better touch support or porting JRemote to the Windows Store.

Quote from: slerch666 on May 27, 2016, 10:43:43 am

Scaling is, honestly, a huge PITA in JRiver on the Surface Pro 3. It's gotten a ton better, but not where I wish it was. Of course, on cheaper tablets, you wouldn't have scaling issues, since you wouldn't have a higher res screen so no need to scale.

I agree. I get the impression that JRiver consider the scaling implementation "done" but nothing looks quite right unless the program is running at 100% scale.
To me it feels like they did a quick fix that looks "close enough" which I don't think results in a good experience.
From what I remember, there were more issues on OSX too but I don't use Apple now.

Abarth · « **Reply #21 on:** May 27, 2016, 04:41:04 pm »

Quote from: glynor on May 27, 2016, 09:25:15 am

Yeah, but MC already runs on Windows 10, and can be used as a full-fledged remote control for any other copy of MC.
[...]

Full-fledget ... exactly ... and that's not what one wants on a tablet, to browse through media. JRiver is really feature-loaded, and a lighter app for slave devices would be appreciated.

And:

Quote

Q: Can I install on more than one computer?
A: Yes, if it is the same operating system or if you have a Master License that works with all three operating systems. During the two-week period after you have purchased or restored, you can use the Install Key you received to activate the program on your other computers. You may use a single license for all you computers, within reason.

What i I get a tablet half a year later? It's just not practicable.
I stay by this: A "light" universal app would be great. And it could be coded with Xamarin, using the same code base for Android, iOS and W10.

Abarth · « **Reply #22 on:** May 27, 2016, 04:44:01 pm »

Quote from: Abarth on May 27, 2016, 04:41:04 pm

Full-fledget ... exactly ... and that's not what one wants on a tablet, to browse through media. JRiver is really feature-loaded, and a lighter app for slave devices would be appreciated.

And:
What if I get a tablet half a year later? It's just not practicable.
I stand by this: A "light" universal app would be great. And it could be coded with Xamarin, using the same code base for Android, iOS and W10.

blgentry · « **Reply #23 on:** May 27, 2016, 06:21:00 pm »

Abarth,

Regarding licensing: It's sort of confusing, but here's the deal:

A. You can license up to 10 machines per year with a single purchase of MC. These machines must be "within reason", which means your computers in your household, etc. "Fair use".
B. The two week period thing is for the license file you get each time you do a restore. With that ONE file, you can license multiple computers. But the file itself expires in two weeks. The licenses GRANTED by that file are good forever.
C. You can get new license files any time you want, up to 10 times a year, within reason. These files are good for two weeks, as above in B.
D. Your license grants you use of MC on whichever platforms you purchase. A windows license works on (almost) any version of Windows. A Mac license on (almost) any version of Mac. A Master license works on any supported OS.

Brian.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #24 on:** May 27, 2016, 06:25:05 pm »

Also if you ever use all 10 of your restores, you can post a topic here on the forums and an admin will reset the count for you.

JimH · « **Reply #25 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:17:01 pm »

Quote from: blgentry on May 27, 2016, 06:21:00 pm

A. You can license up to 10 machines per year with a single purchase of MC. These machines must be "within reason", which means your computers in your household, etc. "Fair use".

Not quite. The 10 per year part is related to restores. With each restore you get an Install Key. The Install Key only lasts 14 days, but it could be used on a lot of machines. We trust that you will do the right thing.

This page explains: http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Restoring_a_License

jackd7630 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2016, 08:08:03 pm »

Hilton · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2016, 04:12:32 am »

A Pretty Face........ that looks and works like JRemote

If your going to do the development anyway, just combine Pretty Face with the things we like about JRemote.

I'd rather get a fully fledged MC with JRemote type functionality and UI than JRemote hacked into windows.

Abarth · « **Reply #28 on:** September 07, 2016, 03:22:47 am »

Seems that no developer outside of JRiver, nor JRiver itself are even considering to do something on a UWP App basis. It's a bit disappointing, as such an app would work on Tablets, Phones, XBOX, and it would avoid an installation of the fully featured and definitely not touch optimized JRiver x86 Program (apart the fact that it could not be installed on Xbox and Phones btw).
I'm sure development of such a thing would pay off.

JimH · « **Reply #29 on:** September 07, 2016, 07:10:55 am »

It would be worth trying Panel.

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Author Topic: JRemote as a Windows "Universal App"? (Read 19936 times)