Filed under: Audio, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Podcasting, Open Source
Songbird enters beta (perhaps too soon?)
by Amber Rhea Sep 30th 2006 at 1:46PM
Songbird, the Mozilla-based desktop media player that's been in alpha since last year, has finally moved to beta status - or, as the Songbird crew is calling it, "test flight." Version 0.2 is available for download for Mac, Windows, and Linux.Songbird, as we've mentioned before, is a combination media player and web browser that can connect to almost any audio or video content on the web. When I first heard about it several months ago, it was available only for Windows. Enamored with the cute little farting bird icon, I sighed, bookmarked Songbirdnest.com, and hoped that one day it would be available for Mac.
That day has come, and I eagerly downloaded the "test flight" tonight. I'm sad to say I was a bit disappointed. I'm trying not to be overly judgmental; this is still a beta version, after all. But aside from the web browsing features, I really didn't have much luck at all with Songbird. When I tried to scan for audio files on my computer, Songbird insisted there was "no media to add!" When I tried to import an iTunes playlist, I received a cryptic error message. Sometimes the 'cancel' button on dialog boxes wouldn't work. And the interface for subscribing to podcasts has me flummoxed; I entered the URL of a podcast feed, but instead Songbird just took me to the URL via its built-in browser.
I still have high hopes for Songbird. If done right, it could be the next big thing in desktop media. It's open source, built on Mozilla's XULRunner platform, touts support for practically every media format out there - and don't forget the absolutely adorable mascot!
So, what are your thoughts about Songbird? If anyone has had a more positive experience, I would be very interested to hear about it.
Update: Songbird developer Nivi points out that this actually isn't a beta release, it's a pre-beta release. Thanks, Nivi!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Rich said 3:05PM on 9-30-2006
Not a very original design and look. Seems to be ripping off iTunes in the present design.
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Fuzz said 5:43PM on 9-30-2006
I think its great, i really dont feel like using itunes, so its a great altrenative.
I have no problems with it on my macbook
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tkm625 said 5:43PM on 9-30-2006
the program works much better on linux and windows than it does mac, currently. they did rip the main design off of itunes, but the main itunes design is essentially one of the best designs there are. it's simple, clean, intuitive, so why would you bother changing something that has no problems? also, this is a beta .2, not a beta 1.0 or something of the sort. it's still in very early production, so things not working are to be expected. you also might want to retry the install, as the laid-back company forgot to update the mac ppc version. it's now updated and all, so check it out.
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Phil said 5:43PM on 9-30-2006
I've tried the Songbird nightly os x builds on and off and always ended up not impressed with it. The biggest problem I ran into was nearly all the songs I'd add to the library would have all their data rewritten in some unreadable Asian font. Hard to select songs when you can't read anything.
Sounds great when you read about it, not much to talk about after using it though.
I'll stick to iTunes for now.
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Nivi said 5:43PM on 9-30-2006
Hi Amber,
Thanks for trying Songbird. This release isn't a beta, it is a pre-release of 0.2. We will release a beta when we get close to 1.0.
Sorry you had problems, lots of people use it without problems, but others like you do have problems. That is the nature of releasing a product before it is at 1.0.
If you want to see what Songbird can do check out this screencast: http://songbirdnest.com/screencast
Thanks for hanging in there!
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Olf said 5:53PM on 9-30-2006
Hmmm... I think you've got it wrong here, Amber. A pre-version 0.2 is not a beta. I too can't wait to see the final v1.0. I've got no doubt what so ever that it'll wipe the competition off the table. The fact that it is so open will lead to LOADS of plugins so that you can get exactly what you want from it. Can't wait.
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Amber Rhea said 5:54PM on 9-30-2006
That's right, Olf; I've updated the post.
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mig said 5:49PM on 10-03-2006
Well, to back up Nivi, it's not even a "pre-Beta" release.
This is our 0.2 version -- where we wandered off from our 0.1 developement and spent WAY too much time cleaning things up to be able to run on Mac and Linux.
This means we still have, let's say, 8 more major releases till we're at a 1.0 version.
We don't want anyone to misunderstand what we're publishing here, and we still don't expect most people to switch from their current media player.
This is a long marathon development effort, not a short sprint to a handfull of features.
Thanks for your interest, however.
mig
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Patrick said 9:55AM on 10-05-2006
I haven't tested it yet, but I think like all mozilla-engine based programs it will be a memory hog.
The same with Firefox and Democracy Player, the eat up all your RAM in no time. Sure I have 1.5GB, but I don't want a program to use 500MB on idle, just for doing nothing.
Greetings
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I need answers!! said 7:10PM on 10-06-2006
Ok.. Can anyone mail me if they can tell me:
Does Songbird for Mac allow me to organize a
Sony mp3 walkman on it? specifically NW-A3000.
Or does anyone know of a software that allows it?
Pleas help, thanx.
Antilluminati@googlemail.com
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