Connect to TVersity App Promises DLNA / UPNP Streaming to Your PlayBook

 

FileArchiveHaven has released a TVersity client for the popular TVersity server that many people use. In case you don’t know TVersity is a free server to install on your PC that lets you stream video to devices like the Xbox, PS3, and now the PlayBook. TVersity is a DLNA compliant sharing server in other words and this new “Connect to TVersity” app lets you stream videos, audio, and pictures to your PlayBook. The crazy part is that this PlayBook app is not limited to use to TVersity and actually works with any standard web based DLNA server. The only benefit of TVersity server is that it pre-converts videos to make sure they are playable on the PlayBook due to compatible video types.

Sounds cool right? With Connect to TVersity and your TVersity server setup you can:

• Stream Audio files
• Stream Video Files
• Stream Photos
• UPNP / DLNA
• Supports Subtitles

I have not had a chance to try out this app yet since I have not been home but I will definitely be checking it out. Send us screenshots to our tip line if you get it working! Let us know what you think of Connect to TVersity if you pick it up in App World for $1.99. They also confirm that they have tested it on PlayBook Beta OS 2.0 and it works!

PS: I have had limited success in the past getting the PlayBook to simply work with TVersity without a client by just going to http://<tversity ip address>:<port>/flashlib/ but hopefully this is better!

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Spotify Releases Preview Beta for BlackBerry

Spotify made a big splash on the streaming music scene when they came to the US after some nice success in Europe. Now they have just released a public beta preview of their BlackBerry app. You need to be a premium Spotify subscriber to use their mobile apps. This preview has some interesting limitations including only working on GSM network devices and has only been officially approved for the Bold 9780, 9700, 9300, 9000, and 8520. Definitely an odd selection of devices but its nice to see that it is in progress.

You can read more about the release on their site or forums or simply download the preview from your BlackBerry.

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RIM Removing Streaming Apps from App World in the Middle East

A developer of popular BlackBerry apps, Shane, let me know that he was contacted by RIM with an interesting issue with his apps. According to RIM streaming applications are not permitted for sale in the Middle East. They are removing availability of streaming apps in App World for users in the Middle East for all currently approved apps and new apps.

The list of Middle east countries banned from streaming apps is: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen

I have never heard of such a restriction where streaming apps are not allowed in the Middle East. It makes me wonder if RIM Legal is pulling some CYA or if this is an actual restriction imposed by other stores. RIM flagged Shane’s police scanner apps but it makes me wonder what RIM means by “Streaming Applications.” I wonder if Nobex and other streaming radio apps are included. This is why I think it is a slippery slope for RIM to only allow BlackBerry PlayBook apps through App World. That is an Apple strategy that just helps enforce censorship since everything is centralized.

Let us know if you figure out any more!

Here is the email RIM is sending out:

Dear Mr X,

 

This email is to inform you that any streaming applications, including police scanners, are not permitted for sale in the Middle East. Please remove the following countries from any future application submissions of this type. The applicable changes are currently being made to the applications as they are approved. Please note this will not happen moving forward.

 

Also, if we have missed the country restriction on any applicable applications please make the necessary changes or feel free to inform us.

 

List of Middle East countries:

- Bahrain

- Egypt

- Jordan

- Kuwait

- Lebanon

- Oman

- Pakistan

- Qatar

- Saudi Arabia

- United Arab Emirates

- Yemen

 

 

Thank you for your continued interest in BlackBerry App World.

 

Regards,

BlackBerry App World Team

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