roflharrison

Google Labs “Listen” updated

This app has had frequent updates over the last few weeks and is taking shape as a winner. My major gripes with prior versions were unreliable downloads, CPU usage and general interface problems.

Version 1.0.3 remedies all of these problems and more, here is the changelog:

• Files are downloaded while they are streaming.
• Downloaded files can be resumed if interrupted.
• Once removed, downloaded files will no longer automatically download.*
• Active episode no longer mysteriously vanishes from My Queue when another is played.
• Reduced CPU usage while in play screen.
• Show the “Add” feed menu item in the Home screen to make it more visible.
• Add skip forward 30 seconds, back 7 seconds.
• Add user-agent on media download requests: Google-Listen/VERSION (DEVICE BUILD)
• The cache is now pruned after every download, not just settings change and startup.
• Added a confirm dialog when unsubscribing from a feed.
• Added a context menu to mark episodes listened or not listened.
* Unfortunately this change required a modification to the cache database, so cached files will be removed after upgrading.

So far so good, I have managed to download, queue and listen to a few casts in a row and am satisfied it isn’t making my Hero chug!

Tags: Android, google labs, listen, podcast