iOS 4 adds direct access to iTunes library, iPhone DJ apps about to get crazy

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.

[uberbadgadget Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:18PM]

@rmbrown09
LOL - so true. I dont get why people keep saying that.

"Android has had this for months. iPhone is finally catching up." blah blah blah

[BenThereDidThat Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:19PM]

@rmbrown09 Sorry, let me rephrase. The iPhone is getting what Android has had the ability to do (not talking apps, talking the ability to create them due to being way more open-source) for no fewer than 9 months.

[someToast Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:32PM]

@BenThereDidThat Rephrase again.

[R3DB71ND Posted Jul 9th 2010 2:47PM]

@BenThereDidThat

What's the use of having the API features if there are no apps that use it well. Android may have a superior API, but the very best apps run on iOS.

If Android had better apps I'd switch without hesitation.

[bluboi917 Posted Jul 8th 2010 8:44PM]

iOS4 because it's good to be King. Keep the hate coming, Droiddrones.

[JonnyB Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:03PM]

@HAL2000
Your mom SUCKS:]

[clarinetJWD Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:18PM]

My first thought was Audiosurf.

[iucidium Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:29PM]

@HAL2000 You suckophile

[Chefgon Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:30PM]

I keep hearing about new iPhone features that I'm shocked weren't included before. Using the competition full time I tend to just assume that iPhone can do everything Android can do outside of the few well-publicized limitations.

[Funkendoodles Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:43PM]

@Chefgon I keep thinking the same about Android, me being a long time iPhone user. Gee, Android phones can do Layr augmented reality? Voice dialing? Voice commands? Crazy!

[Funkendoodles Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:52AM]

@Chefgon You can't even pair an Evo with a Bluetooth keyboard and expect it to work, since the Bluetooth HID drivers messes with Sense UI. Gotta get a Dell and Android 2.2 to use a Bluetooth keyboard! iOS already does this. Amazing all the things Android can't do.

[hey buddy Posted Jul 9th 2010 3:50AM]

@Chefgon Yeah, I was shocked when I found out 2.2 finally removed the app storage limit. And more shocked when I saw how few Android phones are getting it immediately - Google should be on manufacturer's asses to push Froyo out to phones.

[Funkendoodles Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:15PM]

@hey buddy Google is too busy implementing it's app kill switch to blanket OTA remove any app it deems evil. So much for open sorce freedom!

[Blippy0524 Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:33PM]

What is this app called?

[system22 Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:34PM]

ok lets play a little game! lets see how many iphone haters chime in and say how android has done this first, better, or that the iphone has a problem with something completely irrelevant to the post while simultaneously letting you know they will stick with whatever non iphone they got as if you actually cared or asked, and insult you for having a difference in taste . 123 go!

[soypancho Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:39PM]

Hey! An iOS article! How does everyone feel about Android? :/

[system22 Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:40PM]

@soypancho HA! exactly :)

[kenny goo Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:52PM]

Give me an app that'll let me use two iPads as two turntable and an iPhone in the middle to cross fade back and forth and I might have to sell my first born and get on that.

[Damaga Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:52PM]

Finally.

[Stu L Tissimus Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:57PM]

Audiosurf developer said that this API was the only thing holding him bak from making an iOS port. So hopefully now it'll happen.

[ApeEvolution Posted Jul 8th 2010 9:57PM]

the t-pain app has done that since 3.0 at least

[iPodPhone Posted Jul 8th 2010 10:55PM]

That was a core feature of iPhone Os 3 No?

I-Am-T-Pain has been doing it since 3.1 .

Longtime!!!

[Eddy120876 Posted Jul 8th 2010 11:03PM]

I can't wait for Mix r

[zakk99 Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:06AM]

what do you call about that IPHONE 4 case??? that black one... what is it called?...

[Scrtcwlvl Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:31AM]

So.... does this mean we can bring back Tap Tap? The good version?
Also - Audiosurf anyone?

[Funkendoodles Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:35AM]

@drkow19 Good luck using a bluetooth keyboard with your open source Android phone if you have Sense UI. Oops. It doesn't work does it? So much for open source freedom of Android.

[miki4242 Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:42AM]

"Apple didn't allow Apple didn't allow Apple didn't allow..."

Hey DJ, give that broken record a thump will ya?


"BTW, that pic, that's not what a real turntable looks like, those kids havent seen a working one in their lifetime."

"Jobs says you mustn't not look at the pic in a mirror."

"MC Jobs rocks the party...hee hoow!"

[katharine Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:47AM]

Has anybody any info on or used this site to buy from

[url=http://www.volumerates.com]http://www.volumerates.com

[/url]

Hope this is in right forum

Thanks in advance for any help

[katharine Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:49AM]

http://www.volumerates.com

[hey buddy Posted Jul 9th 2010 3:46AM]

@UptownDonkey I'm not down on Android so please don't assume I'm slamming it, but I agree, Android has the "open" mindset so firmly on it's sleeve that I think people also tend to expect the apps to be free. Devs are on the iOS heavily because there is a large customer base. Android will also continue to grow, but the wide range of handsets it's on might also work against it in the eyes of devs who want to create a premium app.

[Nate Dogg Posted Jul 9th 2010 3:54AM]

Completely off topic, does anyone know if it is now possible with ios4 to write an app so that I can use my iPhone as a keyboard for a ps3? That's what the world really needs.

[Maybach Posted Jul 9th 2010 6:41AM]

The I Am T-Pain app let me do this before iOS 4.

[HektikLyfe Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:43PM]

@Maybach Playing in the background is another thing entirely. Other DJ apps let you scratch "on top of" tracks playing but you never could do things with them like...filter out vocals etc...

Which technically, is now possible if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully this will make way for an awesome EQ app!

[zakk99 Posted Jul 9th 2010 8:02AM]

what do you call about that IPHONE 4 case??? that black one... what is it called?...
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[cburris52001 Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:43AM]

I want my downloaded Rhapsody tracks to play in iPod!

[Funkendoodles Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:18PM]

@cburris52001 What, are you like 2 years old? Do you even know what an iPod is?

[cburris52001 Posted Jul 9th 2010 2:37PM]

@Funkendoodles Yes stupid. Rhapsody has an app for the iPhone, you can save music to it, so you dont have to stream it. BUT it only works in the Rhapsody app, I want those songs to be playable in the iPod app on my phone. Do you always comment on things that you have no knowledge of?

[infamous1 Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:35PM]

misleading title..

[HektikLyfe Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:41PM]

@infamous1 How so? iPhone DJ apps now have the potential to scratch iTunes library tracks instead of "on top of."

[infamous1 Posted Jul 9th 2010 6:27PM]

@HektikLyfe

I wouldn't consider my phones 'iPod' to be my iTunes library.. my iTunes library is on my computer..

further in the post it refers to it as 'iPod library' (correct), so like i said, misleading title, and u fail

[HektikLyfe Posted Jul 9th 2010 1:40PM]

I wouldn't pay $5 for this app but I would for Audiosurf! C'mon Invisible Handlebar jump on it!

[max2020 Posted Jul 9th 2010 2:48PM]

@HAL2000 You don't deserve your name. PERIOD

[spacemonkey086 Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:31PM]

yes!!!!

[vdrumpro Posted Jul 10th 2010 1:39PM]

@drkow19 Hah you're not serious right? have you tried these apps? Audio apps are FAR FAR FARRRRR behind on android.. I'd be happy enough to see beatmaker on android.. it's not ENTIRELY dependent on genuine multi-touch or zero lag the iphone offers.. (but it certainly helps..) There's a good collection of nice-try's that resemble the apps we saw come from the jailbreak community very early on with the iphone.. hope--but nothing really workable yet. Nothing that transforms the device into a highly responsive midi-controller or MPC.. etc.. I think there's 1 metronome app that doesn't use the androids jerky clock cycles though so it MOSTLY keeps time.. Windows mobile actually still offers more useful music apps..(loves me some milkytracker) heck, matter of fact.. my old palms still get used for for midi-sysex dumps and a awesome little app called beatpad from minimusic that if you connect to your roland or other digital drums, gives you instant backing percussion, quick bassline backing tracks using the internal synth of the drum module (that mostly gets wasted on built-in cheesy practice tracks..it's a ROLAND SYNTH hiding in that TD12 brain.. the 303 sounds are top notch..)

pfft.. hell.. can I get a good stereo recording app on android even? give me SOMETHING I can do with this warm little shiny paperweight while we're breakin' off beats on our breaktime... surely it could be as useful as a zoom H2 if it wanted..

[mackenziepricee Posted Jul 11th 2010 11:18PM]

@HighestRanked2
Why? My Zune HD can already do this.
Lay off the Kool-Aid, iOS sucks.

[Ascencii Posted Jul 13th 2010 5:33PM]

If you're into these DJ apps, you might like our portable speaker product. It's called the WOWee One. You can check out a video about it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjttlrbmqJg&feature=related. We're going to post videos of us soon using looptastic on the iPad.