New Mobile Apps Now Available
Friday evening, just before Midnight, we uploaded the “Private Beta Testing” version of our new Roots mobile and tablet apps to Google Play and the Apple App Store. They are now available for download by searching for “The Roots FM”.
Big Changes Bring Big Results: We are using a new streaming provider that delivers much improved audio stream quality to our mobile application. In the past, some of you have been frustrated by stream dropouts while driving around town. This was caused by varying cell signal strength depending on how far you were from the cell towers. Many stations combat this challenge by providing a stream with audio quality 75% lower than ours. That can help, but it reduces audio quality, a compromise we refuse to make.
Our solution lets your device automatically choose between three Roots streams, optimized to deliver different bit rates that match the signal quality reaching your device. The result is fewer dropouts and improved audio quality. I tested this myself by walking a course around Clayton and University City. I logged every spot where the signal dropped, and then retested the course with our new app. It worked perfectly, and I noticed the stream sounded even better. The stream switching worked perfectly, and the dropouts were gone. This is another Roots first for St. Louis. We also tested the app in Europe, where a vacationing Roots member said it worked perfectly and sounded even better.
Mobile App for Music & Editorial: This app is quite different from other mobile apps you have seen. The editorial information you see on the mobile app comes directly from our website. It transfers automatically within minutes of posting, and its design is then optimized for mobile. We are looking for more content for our website and mobile apps. Interested ?
We Saved the Best for Last: Remember how your TV viewing changed forever when DVRs came onto the scene? Our On Demand Archive is about to do the same thing for the Roots. Now you can listen to every Roots program on YOUR schedule, just by clicking the show icon right here on this app. We have fast-forward and rewind; now you can even email a show streaming link to a friend. It also works with Apple CarPlay & Google CarPlay.