Let’s Talk About The Apps

I’m not happy

As you may or may not know, the official RSE Freestyle Radio apps are now available for iOS and Android. The iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store. The Android app is currently in closed testing. If you would like to become a tester for the Android app, please send me an email at rhoq@rsefreestyleradio.com

To be completely honest, I am not happy with either version of the app. The developer did their part, which was offered as a free service with my hosting package through Citrus 3. It is what it is. At the most basic level, both apps work. You will be able to play RSE Freestyle Radio, but that is pretty much all these apps do in their current states.

I have decided to take over the development of the apps myself. Before you ask, I have zero experience with app development for either platform and I have very limited experience with coding in general. I know it sounds crazy and I know it won’t be easy, but I am at least going to give it a try.

I am pushing 50 and I’ve become a creature of habit, especially over these last few (post-Covid) years. I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I would normally dismiss or have someone else do for me. For instance, 2 weeks ago, my car radio died. I hopped on Amazon and bought a new one. Nothing special - an Android head unit by a no-name Chinese brand. I watched a few instructional videos on YouTube for installation of similar radios in my car. I was able to install the radio myself when I received it the next morning. It was fairly easy. Now, it certainly helped that this radio was made specifically for my car, so it wasn’t as big of a project as it might have been if I had needed to install a full aftermarket kit. But still, it was something that I normally wouldn’t have done myself. Trivial, but since I don’t consider myself to be good with my hands, I feel accomplished. Up next - replacing the speakers in my car. I’ve watched videos. Removing the door panels looks like it will be a complicated mess. The speakers will be delivered tomorrow and I plan to do the install on Friday.

Anyways, back to my original point: I am not happy with the apps and I don’t think my vision for them will ever come to fruition unless I take the reins. What do I want for the apps? First and foremost, I want them to utilize the metadata supplied by the stream. It pisses me off every time I see incorrect cover art because the apps are scraping the internet for a match, which is wrong more often than it is correct. I have proper cover art for most of the content playing on RSE Freestyle Radio (scans of the actual cover art, 12” single label, or a custom cover I made when one isn’t available) and this is what the app should be displaying.

I want the apps to utilize the basic functions of iOS and Android like lock screen controls. I want them to support Apple Car Play and Android Auto. I also want the Apple app to work with tvOS. Lofty goals and I may fail in spectacular fashion, but at least I’ll be able to say that I tried. I’ve already begun my research and everything on my wish list is doable. I have the basics of the code I will need to accomplish it all. It’s learning how to put it all together that will be the challenge.

But it’s a challenge I am ready to accept.