Hey guys, here's an article I wrote about 5 of the greatest floating applications out there which really show off just how good Android is at multitasking. Included are quite a few applications that allow us to browse with multiple windows, have floating notepads/video players/calculators, and it includes a floating instant messaging client which makes talking to friends and whatnot extremely easy and convenient! While it's a pretty big article and provides a good bit of depth over all of the applications I'll sum it up here real quick:
OverSkreen - is an application which allows you to browse multiple tabbed windows to truly allow for full multitasking on the device. The browser hovers over any window which is great for taking notes, reading multiple websites, having Twitter and Facebook open, and just browsing the web in general. (Warning: not currently compatible with Jelly Bean. It is currently in the works by the developer though).
Hovernote - Hovernote is a pretty simple app which allows you to have a floating and resizable note taking window so you can take notes/jot down a quick list. It also features ICS spell check and works great alongside OverSkreen.
LilyPad HD - LilyPad is a seriously great looking floating Instant Messenger. It uses Facebook, MSN, and Google Talk to allow you to chat with friends and family from anywhere on your tablet even with a game or other application open in the background.
Stick It! - Stick it allows you to take the full potential of the 10" on our device and use it to watch YouTube videos, or other videos stored locally on your tablet or SD card. It also allows for background audio and multi-window support (although not at the same time).
The last one is AirCalc - AirCalc is just what it sounds like. It's a floating resizable version of the built in calculator on Android - I find it particularly useful when using SuperNote to take notes or write things down. You can have it open over top and perform the usual math calculations without leaving SuperNote.
Hopefully you guys will find them useful like I have! I use OverSkreen almost every day when remoting into my computer from Splashtop2/THD. As well as having it open to Twitter and Facebook for quick access to both from anywhere in the system. Hopefully you guys will find them useful! You can check out the full article here if you would like some more information.
Overskreen says its not compatible with tf201
Tapatalked!
mythoc said:
Overskreen says its not compatible with tf201
Tapatalked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you currently running JB?
Sent from my GT-N7000
some alternative
Overskreen --> Floating Browser Flux!
Stickit --> Super Video, Floating, & Pop up
non free one
Air Term!
omac_ranger said:
Are you currently running JB?
Sent from my GT-N7000
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, thats reason huh?
Tapatalked!
mythoc said:
yes, thats reason huh?
Tapatalked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely, the developer said that he would have to rebuild and tweak some things before it would be available through the play Store on JB. Some users have said that it works fine if you make a backup then just transfer it however. Like the poster above me said, you could try the other floating browser as well.
Sent from my GT-N7000
mythoc said:
yes, thats reason huh?
Tapatalked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
omac_ranger said:
Most likely, the developer said that he would have to rebuild and tweak some things before it would be available through the play Store on JB. Some uusers have said that it works fine if you make a backup then just transfer it however. Like the poster above me said, you could try the other floating browser as well.
Sent from my GT-N7000
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i have overskreen on my tab on JB and it works great,
but i had it transferred over from ICS so yeah =]
lil-devil said:
well i have overskreen on my tab on JB and it works great,
but i had it transferred over from ICS so yeah =]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good! Another confirmation!
Logcat Extreme
This app is brilliant and the floating window is just awesome.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=scd.lcex
Try super video, its a floating video player
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
abraham.ramirez said:
Try super video, its a floating video player
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been quite a few video players. Does that one also support YouTube playback?
Gotta put a mention in for BS player. Its the best video player for android, plays anything and everyhting i have tried and if you hold the back key while watching a video it becomes a floating video player.
Should, but its been broken on my s2 for a bit. Guess I'll try it a little later.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
omac_ranger said:
There have been quite a few video players. Does that one also support YouTube playback?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that one does support youtube playbak, and it works GREAT! =]
here is another floating app
well a floating keyboard actually
I brought Hover note a while back for University note taking and revision purposes and its great. It also works fine on both my JB nexus 7 and Galaxy s2, Check out my review
Related
seriously, and i mean it.. did you guys have trouble multitasking with youtube?
When you buffer anything inside youtube, and you switch to ANY other app for example browser or calendar or whatever, all the buffer you have done, will gone back to zero !! Wtf!
How stupid this is?? And i wonder why nobody has ever noticed this and complained about it somewhere over the net.
Yes, I have even basic problem with youtube. When I switch to another app, why does the video stop playing? Sometimes, I am only interested in the audio!
Osho
Hi, I'm having same prob and I don't think we can do anything to it ;/
Sent from my GT-I9003 using XDA App
oshogg said:
Yes, I have even basic problem with youtube. When I switch to another app, why does the video stop playing? Sometimes, I am only interested in the audio!
Osho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you mean the video stops playing but audio still play? I dont think so
denis_sianto said:
you mean the video stops playing but audio still play? I dont think so
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the video can continue to play but in the background. For example, on a PC, if I have youtube video playing in a browser tab, and I switch to another browser tab - the video continues to play back. So, I can at least listen to audio (which is useful for music videos).
Thanks,
Osho
I have this problem and it annoys me, as I have very slow internet,so last thing I need is for it to restart again.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
oshogg said:
No, the video can continue to play but in the background. For example, on a PC, if I have youtube video playing in a browser tab, and I switch to another browser tab - the video continues to play back. So, I can at least listen to audio (which is useful for music videos).
Thanks,
Osho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, i know that if in pc, you switch to another tab, youtube would still continue buffering. But this did not happen in tab's youtube. If I buffer any video, and then i switched to browser, then switch back again to youtube, all the buffers would have gone to zero.
Are you 100% sure you dont have this problem with your stock youtube app?
vauxhallastra said:
I have this problem and it annoys me, as I have very slow internet,so last thing I need is for it to restart again.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about p1000 or the new gt with honeycomb?
Don't be fooled into thinking that Android's multitasking is that much more robust than iOS. When you move away from an app, the system sleeps the VM that it is running in to devote clock cycles and memory to your current working application. The only way an app can continue to persist alive in the background is to specifically request to remain alive and working on something with background processes. The YouTube app doesn't do this, so when you move away from it the application sleeps.
The only advantage Android has over iOS in terms of multitasking is the easy ability for an app to run background processes if it so chooses. Fortunately no sane app developer is going to write an app that tries to stay completely active in a non-windowing OS.
sassafras
sassafras_ said:
Don't be fooled into thinking that Android's multitasking is that much more robust than iOS. When you move away from an app, the system sleeps the VM that it is running in to devote clock cycles and memory to your current working application. The only way an app can continue to persist alive in the background is to specifically request to remain alive and working on something with background processes. The YouTube app doesn't do this, so when you move away from it the application sleeps.
The only advantage Android has over iOS in terms of multitasking is the easy ability for an app to run background processes if it so chooses. Fortunately no sane app developer is going to write an app that tries to stay completely active in a non-windowing OS.
sassafras
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, i know it make sense to not write an app that tries to stay completely active in background. But wouldnt it make sense for an app such as youtube that needs a lot of buffer (since not all country in the world have fast mobile connection), to be partially active in background, such as the buffering ability?
I think that make sense! And i still wonder why wouldnt honeycomb developer realize this .
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA App
Be careful, Playbook owners might start feeling smug about their device if they see things like this
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I would also like Youtube to be able to play in the background, just like on a PC. Why not? It can't be too hard to programme either.
Swedish national radio, Sveriges Radio, has a good app that allows you to listen to all their programmes and the app runs smoothly in the background while I surf or do other stuff on the tablet. You'll find it at Google Play (former Market) if you're interested.
An other thing that Youtube on Android does not do is to run playlists. Again, why not?
I can't really see the point in removing great features when you develop a new OS. The goal can't really be to make it worse compared to the PC, can it?
labovski said:
An other thing that Youtube on Android does not do is to run playlists. Again, why not?
If your mostly worried about the playlist feature, it works when running stock browser and you are signed in. All you have to do is tap on the bottom-right corner of the video's preveiw image, afterr tapping, the little '+' shows up
Sent from my GT-P7500R using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A solution would be using OverSkreen (Browser) and just open youtube in a small window.
DICE player for Android plays videos fine, after ICS, but there is no menu button anymore. No way to turn on/off subtitles, or choose subtitle files. Also, there seems to be no way to remove the bottom status bar while playing a video. Has anyone been able to find work-arounds?
This sucks.
Send a mail to the developer so he knows what he need to work on. Hopes its a easy fix for him. Diceplayer have been the best player just because of its many and easy settings when it comes to subtitle and more.
Does anyone find a workaround or it is up to the man behind Diceplayer that needs to fix it.
Start to miss HC more and more.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Andreas527 said:
This sucks.
Send a mail to the developer so he knows what he need to work on. Hopes its a easy fix for him. Diceplayer have been the best player just because of its many and easy settings when it comes to subtitle and more.
Does anyone find a workaround or it is up to the man behind Diceplayer that needs to fix it.
Start to miss HC more and more.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no need to panic, keep in mind all these apps were wrote for either gingerbread/honeycomb.
ICS has just been released (this is the second device)
for apps as popular as the dice player, I'm sure they'll be writing a version (or altering the old one) to play nicely with the new OS, just gotta be patient.
Yeah I know. Everything just need some time.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Andreas527 said:
This sucks.
Send a mail to the developer so he knows what he need to work on. Hopes its a easy fix for him. Diceplayer have been the best player just because of its many and easy settings when it comes to subtitle and more.
Does anyone find a workaround or it is up to the man behind Diceplayer that needs to fix it.
Start to miss HC more and more.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already sent him an email. Have you observed the things I mentioned?
I have the same issues.
I disabled sub menus in dice player this afternoon and I had never even used it before. Poke around a bit., you'll find all the settings
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
csmall said:
I disabled sub menus in dice player this afternoon and I had never even used it before. Poke around a bit., you'll find all the settings
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The settings are only viewable if you open the DICE player app by itself (i.e., not from a file manager). As far as I can tell, those settings are not doing anything.I changed the font size, and it has no effect when I actually play a file.
csmall said:
I disabled sub menus in dice player this afternoon and I had never even used it before. Poke around a bit., you'll find all the settings
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know I can find the settings inside the application.
I talk about the menu/options key that you can access when you are playing a video. And the subtitle size can't be changed. Aside that the video playback works great as usual.
Have mail the developer and told him about the "problem".. So know we just wait.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
just a heads up
this is not specific to dice player.
about 40% of my apps no longer have menu buttons.
there is no alternative that I know of.
they just are not compatible with ICS
ICS is totally sucks. Did live up the all the hypes. I wish I never updated my to ICS. HC was working great for me. After updating to ICS, all kinds of issues...screen flickering very few minutes, some apps totally don't work anymore.....
ICS Feels more like a phone OS. HC felt more for tablets.
Now with ICS there no need for tablets specific apps because the phone app should work. This means that we won't see any apps that take advantage of tablets bigger screen. I still think it would been better if we got one OS för tablets and one for phone. Now we with tablet just will get phone apps because that's the idea with ICS that phone and tablet are the same.
Back to Diceplayer. Just received a mail from the developer and got a test version. Now we have menu button and the subtitle size can now be changed.
The status bar still shows. But that should be a easy fix. He don't have a ICS tablet so it's hard for him to test how it works. But now when he now about it I sure he can work something out.
Really hope he gets a paid version up on market soon, so he will get some $$$
We need to remember that ICS only been out for 1 month. And only runs on 2 device. Remember how long it took for HC to get good support. I am sure that if we just give the developers of apps time to fix and update there apps to support ICS it will become better.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Im confused. I just used diceplayer on ICS and it worked just as before?
Same issue for me.
I tried MoboPlayer and Rockplayer and both work, but don't have sound for some reason. However, at least Rockplayer plays in hardware mode for me now.
BSPlayer lite seems absolutely fine.
Sokonomi said:
Im confused. I just used diceplayer on ICS and it worked just as before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When playing a movie tap the screen and look top right, there should be a menu button there. Now white ICS that is gone. But he is working to fix it asap.
The app works as before just that the menu button is gone and that the status bar don't go black
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Oooh ok now im up to speed, thanks.
I can still select audio/subs when it first starts the video, so its still very usable imho.
Just give it some time I suppose, same as with all other now borked apps.
jimbob1971 said:
Same issue for me.
I tried MoboPlayer and Rockplayer and both work, but don't have sound for some reason. However, at least Rockplayer plays in hardware mode for me now.
BSPlayer lite seems absolutely fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The status bar still shows in BS Player lite.
Got a other test version from the developer of diceplayer. In this everything works like in HC. Can access menu when playing video and the Android status bar goes black as it should.
Haven't heard anything from the developer when he planning to update the app on Android Market. But sure it won't take long.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Andreas527 said:
Got a other test version from the developer of diceplayer. In this everything works like in HC. Can access menu when playing video and the Android status bar goes black as it should.
Haven't heard anything from the developer when he planning to update the app on Android Market. But sure it won't take long.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also got a test version, but it gives me an error: License not allowed, check your time and timezone on the device.
Andreas527 said:
Got a other test version from the developer of diceplayer. In this everything works like in HC. Can access menu when playing video and the Android status bar goes black as it should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have sent an e-mail to the author - the subtitle font size doesn't work under ICS. Font family, color works as expected though.
I came across this app by chance while bored and searching for new apps to play with and wanted to share with the community. If this has been shared before (did not come up in a search for me) my apologies.
While this app is still young and a little rough around the edges, it's still pretty awesome. It allows for a resizable and movable pop up window overlay (that's themeable!!) to play a video as you do other things like surf the web or play a game. Think Picture in Picture on your TV.
It even allows multiple instances of video under a lot of circumstances. Basic but useful multitasking all the way.
https://market.android.com/details?...sImNvbS5teWJveWZyaWVuZGlzYWdlZWsuc3RpY2tpdCJd
It's $1.50 in the android market and definitely provides something that made my iOS friends at work VERY jealous of today. I added some screenshots of it running on my TFP. Video ran very smoothly even with Fruit Ninja playing in the background or multiple tabs.
P.S. It also ran smoothly on my Epic 4G on Gingerbread though it's not as useful on a phone screen!!
Can you resize the video window?
yumms said:
Can you resize the video window?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You can manually resize by dragging the arrow on the bottom right corner or expand by pressing one of the soft buttons on the windows titlebar.
I actually was able to play 2 videos simultaneously on my Epic 4G's 480 x 800 display.
You can also position the window to any part of your desktop if it gets in the way.
Just ran across this yesterday. Pretty awesome!
They also have a nice free calculator app that floats on top too.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
This works great on the prime. Just got it and its cool as a mofo. Eat this apple....lmfao. this'll be great to show off.
dilligaf said:
They also have a nice free calculator app that floats on top too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I set the air calc to search+c and i can pop it up whenever. its great!
Would be cool if you could run apps side by side(Netflix, web browser)
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
very cool, was hoping to find something like this!
Aside from smoothing it out and getting rid of some small glitches I just wish it had the ability to go fullscreen.
Just tested this on my Galaxy S2 and its very impressive !
Great find, i cant wait to try this out when my prime comes back!
Thanks for the heads up! Just got it! Awesome!
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
working perfectly on my galaxy note! Sent a message to the developer to add an"open URL" command.
Ernesto de Bernardis
[from my Galaxy Note]
Interesting to note that the next version of android with the help of Intel will finally have a windowed environment. (didn't say windows, as I don't want to get sued)
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
My house has windows. They can sue that!
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
watching a Movie now as I type this. I think the video format would make a big difference in the quality of play back. My current movie is a MVK (bluRay) file and it's incredibly choppy. But pretty impressive just the same!
It's not using the hardware videodecoder of tegra 3. I hope they can fix it. Because this app is really awesome.
sontin said:
It's not using the hardware videodecoder of tegra 3. I hope they can fix it. Because this app is really awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had great success with 720p mp4's. If this is without hardware decode then I'd love to see what happens if they do eventually add it. Overall I am very pleased with the app and hope that they continue to improve it.
works great! I wonder if this can be done streaming a video from your pc?
I converted some mkvs to mp4s and they play very smoothly on my prime.
I tried playing a .3gp video on my Xperia play and it also played very smoothly.
somebody give this man a medal...extra smooth on the prime
hairdewx said:
I converted some mkvs to mp4s and they play very smoothly on my prime.
I tried playing a .3gp video on my Xperia play and it also played very smoothly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you use to convert it? Any programs i try using (forget the name, derp) either come back unplayable format or really choppy or crap quality from blueray rips.
If i wanted to re-encode the movies i have to the exact resolution of the TF201 for best quality and lowest file size, what do you suggest?
this is just a suggestion for anyone that is having the same issues as me, which is simply constant lag/buffering issues with the stock youtube app. running on what i felt was a fast enough internet connection, i would constantly have buffering issues both on HD and non-HD (a lot more consistently with HD).
after looking for weeks, i found an app called TubeMate (http://goo.gl/mzrZT)
it is currently only available via the amazon app store. it seems to have a few other features besides viewing the videos (like downloading, downloading as mp3, etc..) but all i really care for is being able to stream a video in HD quality w/out looking embarrassed.
hopefully this will help some of you that are also experiencing this issue. if you aren't, well i'm really happy for you.
Since its a free app, upload the apk.
didn't realize DLing from the amazon appstore would be a big deal. but here you go.
demandarin said:
Since its a free app, upload the apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong but when I downloaded it the page said a "paid app free a day". Does that mean its a paid app?
Sent from my Droid X using xda premium
you can get it here for free
http://www.androidfreeware.net/get-youtube-tubemate.html
for the guys involved in this thread so far, are you also experiencing buffering issues with your prime and if so, let us know if TubeMate helps out. i've certainly seen a HUGE improvement with all youtube videos to a point where i only stream HD now.
The app works great and also allows you to download video or save it as an .mp3
I have used this app for years on all my devices and on my prime since I purchased it. Wouldn't use anything else great app
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Is this app optimized for tablets?
Yes it works great on my prime
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
i have installed latest tube mate app but can not download any video. it gives an error.
screen shot is attached.
please help
I use it to download videos, not stream. The UI is rather ugly ;P
Can someone clarify: Is this app a REPLACEMENT app that uses youtube (what I think it is)? Or is it an app that somehow optimizes the native youtube app (what I hope it is)?
irishtexmex said:
Can someone clarify: Is this app a REPLACEMENT app that uses youtube (what I think it is)? Or is it an app that somehow optimizes the native youtube app (what I hope it is)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like an answer to this as well
OstiasMoscas said:
I'd like an answer to this as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's another app that does not optimize the youtube app.
while i love it and still use it, i must put my disclaimer that the issue with the laggy youtube ended up being the Wifi/BT issue. beyond that, it still speeds up buffering better than the stock app.
Colombiano80 said:
it's another app that does not optimize the youtube app.
while i love it and still use it, i must put my disclaimer that the issue with the laggy youtube ended up being the Wifi/BT issue. beyond that, it still speeds up buffering better than the stock app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification
I haven't had any real problems with streaming vids, but I might check it out regardless. Faster buffering is always nice.
Colombiano80 said:
this is just a suggestion for anyone that is having the same issues as me, which is simply constant lag/buffering issues with the stock youtube app. running on what i felt was a fast enough internet connection, i would constantly have buffering issues both on HD and non-HD (a lot more consistently with HD).
after looking for weeks, i found an app called TubeMate (http://goo.gl/mzrZT)
it is currently only available via the amazon app store. it seems to have a few other features besides viewing the videos (like downloading, downloading as mp3, etc..) but all i really care for is being able to stream a video in HD quality w/out looking embarrassed.
hopefully this will help some of you that are also experiencing this issue. if you aren't, well i'm really happy for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, just wanted to thank you for pointing out the app. It's great, love it. I' ve hit the thanks button.
the ui is ugly in this app but it works amazingly faster than stock app. plus it lets you download the videos or you can download them as mp3 to listen in music player. works great. I love the look of stock YouTube app but sick of the buffering on some vids. I have high speed wireless so no reason it should be buffering like that. this app eliminates that basically.
whenever i click to watch a video in tube mate it pops up asking me which player to use - youtube or tubemate- i choose tubemate but then the video doesnt load...anyone else had this problem>?
should be called buffer be gone!!
Gotta say +1000000 for this app, I use Crackle to watch some movies, took away all the buffering, youtube too no more buffering..... excellent app!!!
So i was watching the Galaxy note 10.1 advertisement on youtube and one feature which i thought was really good was the option to open 2 apps side by side like in Windows and dragging stuff from one app to the other
Here is the link. the feature im talking about is at 0:06.
is it possible to have that kinda feature on the Prime?
DAMN IT, why are new people not allowed to post videos?
onskreen does that but it has some limitations.
aopk has a build for that on 'that other forum'
ByzLat said:
So i was watching the Galaxy note 10.1 advertisement on youtube and one feature which i thought was really good was the option to open 2 apps side by side like in Windows and dragging stuff from one app to the other
Here is the link. the feature im talking about is at 0:06.
is it possible to have that kinda feature on the Prime?
DAMN IT, why are new people not allowed to post videos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is it is called over screen it is in Android market
Look for different Floating Apps. There's a few floating video players that work well (I like Superplayer. It's free on the market), there's overskreen, there's hovernotes, there's even floating split keyboard like the iPad has. You can try cornerstone builds, but I hear they're not very stable. Floating apps is your best bet.
Since Samsung headhunted Cyanagen to program for them they seem to have a lot more polished versions of things that are otherwise available on the market. For instance, their camera features the same idea as speedcam however it does it at full resolution. Their floating video player is cleaner, same with the browser.
Now if only i could launch two apps at once in resizable windows so i can play two games at one time
ByzLat said:
So i was watching the Galaxy note 10.1 advertisement on youtube and one feature which i thought was really good was the option to open 2 apps side by side like in Windows and dragging stuff from one app to the other
Here is the link. the feature im talking about is at 0:06.
is it possible to have that kinda feature on the Prime?
DAMN IT, why are new people not allowed to post videos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id seen dat video too.. that wud b my 2nd tablet.. never will i get asus again, though now my prime is great bcoz of the ROM...
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium