DBSTalk First Look: Android App

**Stuart Sweet** · 12-10-09, 07:15 AM

I just couldn't wait to show you this exclusive first look at the Android application for DIRECTV!

I know that this is not a full "First Look" document, but please enjoy this "first peek" at this new mobile app!

Thanks to all who participated in this first look.

Please note that FTC rules about online reviews may apply to this thread. Feel free to send me a message with any questions.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 07:05 PM

The latest mobile applications from DIRECTV will soon be available in their respective markets and available for download directly to your device. These applications will let you accomplish remote scheduling of all your DIRECTV DVRs at home or away as easy as making a call or browsing the web.

Similar to the earlier DIRECT mobile application for the iPhone, these appplications let you schedule recordings of single programs or entire series with just a few simple operations. You can connect via WiFi or 3G on Sprint or Verizon Wireless, depending on which device and network you are using.

Searching for a desired program to record can be done via the program name, or by browsing by channels or by date and time. When you find the program you want to record, you can select whether you want to record a single episode or the entire series and record it to any or all of your DVRs.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 07:20 PM

The first screen you will see when you start the application after downloading and installing to your device is the login screen shown here. As you see, if you already have created an online account at DIRECTV.COM, you can simply log in and begin setting up the application for your preferences. Setup is accomplished on the settings screen also shown here. If you have not yet created an online account, you can either create an online account by going to the link shown on the login page now or browse program listings as a guest. (Note: These screenshots were taken from the application for the Android, but the screens on the application for the Palm look very similar.)

mhayes70 · 01-25-10, 07:31 PM

RECORDING SHOWS AND SERIES

Recording a show or series is simple. After selecting the desired program
from your search or browse results, you will be brought to a screen
providing an episode description along with the option to record the
episode and/or series. Selecting a recording option will then display the
options available for the recording. You can select one or more available
DVR'S and THEN set the recording and deletion priorities. THE DVR FRIENDLY NAMES ARE SETUP ON YOUR DIRECTV ACCOUNT AT DIRECTV.COM. UPON COMPLETION You will receive a confirmation upon successful submission of your recording.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 07:51 PM

After you are logged in, the first screen you will come to is the Home screen shown here. As you can see, there are options to Search for Shows, Browse by Channel, or Browse by Date & Time.

Pressing the menu key will popup the options shown in the second screenshot. Home will let you return to this screen from any other screen in the application, Search will open the screen to let you Search for Shows, Browse will open a screen to let you choose between Browse by Channels or Browse by Date & Time, and Settings will take you to the Settings screen previously shown.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 08:17 PM

If you choose to Search for Shows, you will see the search screen where you can input the name of the show you are looking for. For example, if you search for "chopped", you might get something like the second screen below. All of those programs have the word "chopped" either in the title or in the description of the show. If you do not see the program you are looking for, you can use the back key to go back to the search screen and be more specific in your input. In this case, however, we were looking for the Food Network program "Chopped", which is shown so we select it. You will then see a screen with all the episodes of "Chopped" currently listed in the guide. You may note at the top of that screen you can sort that listing either by Date or by Channel.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 09:09 PM

If you choose to Browse by Channel, you will get a listing of channels as shown in the first two screenshots. Notice that you can choose a tab at the top to show them sorted either alphabetically or numerically. Clicking on the menu button in this screen gives an additional option to "Jump" in the menu as shown in the third screenshot. This is a feature unique to the Android application and allows you to jump to a specific range of channels, either alphabetically or numerically, depending on which listing you are on when you choose "Jump." An example of the "Jump" screen is shown in screenshot 4.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 10:07 PM

Browsing by Date & Time works very similar to Browsing by Channel. You will first see the screen to select the date you want. You can use the plus or minus keys to select or you can select the field itself and type the input directly. After the date is selected, you will get the next screen to select the time, which works the same way as the date selection. Once the time is input, you will see a channel selection screen. The time frame you selected in the previous screen is shown at the top. Notice the arrows which will let you move the time in half-hour increments. Pressing menu on this screen will also give you the "Jump" option previously discussed.

Smuuth · 01-25-10, 10:34 PM

Of course, the final step (and the real fun of this application) is to be able to record the program you just saw advertised or a program you remembered you wanted to see when you are not at home to set the DVR. Once you have found the program from the previous steps and selected it, you can select record the series or record the single episode as shown in the first screen. You will then see the screen to select your Receiver, set the recording priority, and select the keep options you want for the recording. When you click on the Receiver selection, you will see a drop-down for your own receivers where you can select any or all of your receivers to record. For Priority, you can select Record if Possible or Definitely Record, and you have the option to set Keep Until Disk Is Full or Until You Delete. Once you have set the options you want and clicked on the green record button, you will see the screen telling you your recording has been scheduled successfully.

MIAMI1683 · 01-26-10, 08:35 PM

Nice work here guys. Excellent like always.

jasonki32 · 01-26-10, 08:45 PM

Great work!

JimMariner · 01-26-10, 08:59 PM

Excellent Work DBS !!! Can't wait to start putting it to use. !!!

Mark L · 01-26-10, 09:00 PM

Just downloaded the app and tried twice to record a show and got the following message:

"DIRECTV Application encountered Technical Difficulty. Please Try again...."

Ughh I was excited when I saw this on Twitter too

Grydlok · 01-26-10, 10:08 PM

So will this work on 1.5,1.6,2.0, or 2.1?

crendall · 01-26-10, 10:15 PM

Works great on my Motorola Droid!

joshjr · 01-26-10, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crendall

Works great on my Motorola Droid!

Only worked on my Droid with the 2nd tab. The first tab would not work no matter what show I set to record.

iotp · 01-26-10, 11:15 PM

How about BLACKBERRY ?? Geez man.

packfan909 · 01-26-10, 11:39 PM

Works on my HTC Hero running 1.5.

CJTE · 01-27-10, 01:31 AM

That looks super duper!

Quote:

Originally Posted by iotp

How about BLACKBERRY ?? Geez man.

Where is that, anyway...!? My curve is getting bummed out.

Jish · 01-27-10, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark L

Just downloaded the app and tried twice to record a show and got the following message:

"DIRECTV Application encountered Technical Difficulty. Please Try again...."

Ditto on my Droid