Although there's been
no shortage of
iPhone DJ apps in the past few years, they've remained fairly niche, since Apple didn't allow devs official access to the iPod music library -- mobile DJs needed to upload a second separate music library per app, and that's no fun at all. Looks like that's about to change, though: one of the
1500 new APIs in
iOS 4 provides direct access to the iPod library, meaning music apps of all kinds can play your tracks in any wacky way they want -- including, yes, scratching them. The first app to support the new API in the store is Flare Scratch, which is a relatively simple scratch app -- we just gave it a shot and yes, it does indeed load tracks from the iPod library and let you scratch 'em. There's a bit of a wait when loading up a new track, though, so it's not totally fluid to use in anything but a hey-this-is-fun context, but we're betting we'll see more serious DJ apps hit with smoother transitions soon enough -- and we can't wait to see what devs do once iOS 4 hits the iPad and they've got more room to work with. Video after the break.
posted July 8th 2010 7:43PM
Cool
@ashleythehottiest
More like appalling. Just the point of view of a real DJ :P
@strawe BREAKING: iOS4 Adds Direct Access to Phone Application! Lets users make calls!
@Nilay
"The first app to support the new API in the store is Flare Scratch" I don't quite agree with that. It might be the first DJ'ing app. But iBomber has had it for a while now.
@ashleythehottiest
i thought this was allowing remote access to your entire itrunes collection on your pc... but i guess giving users access to core features is good enough?
@ashleythehottiest
I thought apps could do that already... didn't SquareEnix put out a game that could read the iTunes library database on the phone and generate monsters from it? I think it was called Song Summoner or something like that.
Breaking: Android is still a steaming pile and windows 7 isn't even on the market- iPhone users STILL able to make calls just as well as any other cellphone on the planet, but much more pleasant experience! Wait, what was the troll's point?
@ashleythehottiest
Audiosurf Here we Come!!
@HAL2000
But you cant hold your iPhone in your Left hand!!
@HAL2000
"Wait, what was the troll's point?"
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
@HAL2000
"Wait, what was the troll's point?"
Yeah what was YOUR point?
@who said what There's a difference between the API that Flare Scratch uses and what iBomber uses. Access to the iPod library from within an app came in iOS 3, but it only allowed you to select what songs to listen to from within a third party app. The new API in iOS 4 allows actual manipulation of the songs in the iPod library (such as scratching, cutting, distorting, etc.).
@tariqi Wow talk about being limited. It's about time they open up.
On another note why do I never seem to see links or QR codes for these apps.
@ashleythehottiest
Where's all the "but can I hold it in my left hand" losers???
@panckakes
HOLY CRAP an audiosurf app would be amazing
And my iPhone 4 must be defective... it makes calls just fine no matter how I hold it!
@panckakes
Owning a Zune HD I have to say, AudioSurf is amazing.
@ashleythehottiest
Just imagine the iOS 4 iPad DJ apps. Some of those are very robust already.
Now that apps have direct access to the library, a decent DJ program could be created for the iPad. I'm talking about something like Traktor by Native Instruments - something that has proper BPM and pitch adjustment. You could use the headphone out to monitor, but you would need a second out to the amp/mixer/crowd - maybe someone can utilise the 30 pin connector for this job? The whole Vinyl/CD/digital debate aside, it is an actual possibility.
Also I would like to see alternative Audio players. Winamp with manual sliding equalizer control? Sounds good to me, as I never liked the preset EQ options.
Never though Apple would allow access to the music but now that they do - it is pretty cool!
@ashleythehottiest
Any Mac users have the DJay application?? Hopefully they'll port their masterpiece to Apple's mobile platform. This is one of the main APIs that I've been waiting for.
@JLPicard Having fun beating that dead horse?
Improved DJ apps is apparently newsworthy? Does anyone actually care about this?
Apart from the fact that scratching records is just ruining what real musicians did, only poser tools would do it on a phone.
@Christopher02 When you look at the NO SERVICE text on the Iphone, it looks really good!!!
@insky Owning a PC, I have to say i've known it's amazing for a lot longer than you have :P But it does look like it works pretty well on the Zune HD and I'm sure the developer wouldn't hesitate to bring it to the iPhone.
@ashleythehottiest
Actually it's pretty much tripe. I'm used to vinyl scratching though, but I can see where the average user could get a 2 minute kick from it.
@Sax25
I was wondering the same thing. I always thought it would be really nice for DJs to have a monitor out. But from what I heard before, the audio on the 30 pin connector is the same as the headphone out. Not sure if that ability has changed on the newer models since I heard that.
@ApocalypseGuppy
Haha! Now that is a good trolling comment. You've managed insult Apple fans, a music genre, and DJs all in the same comment! You must always be the life of the party.
@Sax25 The same app dev makes baby scratch for ipad, it has built in mixer and pitch control for both decks.. but dang'd apple hasn't released ios4 for ipad yet--so this feature not supported... (Although, anyone can easily upload tracks through a wifi connection.. or with with a usb connection if jailbroken...) It's pretty awesome IMO for $25.. pricey for an app, but.. that's a slow day of crate digging in the grand scheme of things.. cue play DJ is getting a major update it's already super-sweet. Nothing like these apps on android and will be a long time coming before we see them. It's open-source folks--get to work!
@ApocalypseGuppy
In itself, no - but the big news with this and with the allowing of LED Flashlight apps is that Apple with iOS4 is starting to allow developers have access to more parts of the phone rather than insisting that applications exist within their own little walled garden on the phone. This is a dramatically positive thing for developers and for the future of the iPhone.
What a let down from the title I was expecting iTunes access through wireless
@Original Nosebleed
So I wasn't the only one that thought that.
@Original Nosebleed It is okay, 16,32 models are more than enough for the average user....
Oh how I miss my 1200's
Is it free? if so i will go download it right now
The word "iTunes" in the title had me exciting, i thought it was giving access to the iTunes library on your computer OTA. :(
That would be cool, I liked that feature demonstrated at Google's IO.
@QwaF
Had me excited*
is that k-fed? :)
Am I the only one that on first glimpse, thought it was a HDD platter + head?
@liquidkernel
Same haha
I hope this means that apps (like airsharing) will allow you to add music to your itunes library
@jinp6301 I definitely agree, but sadly I'm fairly sure that this API is read only.
so why can't I wake up to my music with the alarm clock app!!!!???
@jimmygoroar Most any alarm clock app will let you wake to music (since iPhone OS 3.0)
Cool. Hopefully this means that Audiosurf will come out for iOS.
@HighestRanked2
I would argue, but your picture is just tooooo cute...
Serious? It couldn't do that before?
These articles are making a laughing stock of iphone.
@higherdestiny
Haha, seriously.
I had forgotten about some of the more subtle patheticness of the iphone. Everyone complained about multitasking, i completely forgot about this one.
Congrats apple, you've finally moved the walls of your garden a tiny bit farther outward.
I prefer not to be stuck in a box, myself. I'll stick with my Nexus One.
-Taylor
@Taylor Yes Taylor Congratulations. You are happy with a far inferior experience, and that's fine. Not everyone appreciates good wine, good beer, nice cars, nice things in general, and that's ok. Just don't sit here and pretend that because your ford minivan has more cup holders it's a better automobile than a Mercedes, OK?
@higherdestiny i know right, the iphone is so locked down it literally is more useless than a block of wood, everything the iphone can do android was doing 10 years ago
@Taylor Yes Taylor Nexus Last. It's not about who has more garbage (Google always wins) it's about who sells more/makes more money. iPhone > Android in that respect. And all else.
@jckchn
Oh, Steve Jobs cuts you in on all the money Apple makes? No? Then why the hell does it matter? What should matter is how much you enjoy the thing yourself and that you feel you got your money's worth. Apparently no one can think for themselves anymore though.