Kinoma Play – one app for all your media and social networking
Kinoma Play
There are many applications for Windows Mobile that claim to be an all-in-one media app, but most of them leave a lot to be desired. Some have multiple functions, but lack graphical allure. Others have beautiful GUIs, but are missing basic functionality. There is one app, however, that developers and designers should follow by example. Kinoma Play is mistakenly known to some as just another capable media player, but it’s actually quite a powerful all-in-one app. In fact, some wouldn’t hesitate to call it the best all-in-one media application for Windows Mobile. I would have to concur and here’s why.
Kinoma Play’s interface is stunning. Throughout the app, you will find smooth animations and nice looking menus to go along with many great features. All the screens and apps within Kinoma Play have kinetic scrolling or a bounce back response, much like the iPhone. Powered by your device’s accelerometer, the screen even rotates when you turn it. The home screen has big, finger friendly icons and a cool sliding panel scheme that’s customizable. By tapping and holding on an icon, you’re able to move it anywhere you want on that screen. In addition, you can change the background of the home screen. Speaking of customizing, Kinoma allows you to download and add different apps, or widgets, to the home screen; so you’re not restricted to what comes preloaded on Kinoma Play.
To enjoy the full Kinoma experience, you will want to install the advanced settings app first. This will let you set the X button to close, choose file associations, pick which folders you want scanned for content and more. Other apps available for download include: an app store, audible, box.net, FaceBook, Twitter, Flickr, Picasa, Flights, Google Reader, News (RSS reader), iDisk, Kinoma Guide, last.fm, Live365, Orb, SHOUTcast, Start, Yelp, and Youtube. To get a quick preview of what you’re able to do with Kinoma, I recommend getting started with the search function and Kinoma Guide. The search and Kinoma guide are easy ways to search for content and they supply quick links to several of Kinoma’s features. Yes, all this in one application and that’s not even including the core features.
Kinoma Apps
Video Player
The traditional media features of Kinoma Play are first rate. The music player, video player and picture viewer alone are superb enough to make this app complete. The picture album has sliding transitions with one touch zooming, picture rotations, panning and the capability to do slideshows. The video player can play your stored TV shows, movies, personal clips and streaming videos. The music player can play just about anything and manages your songs by title, artists, albums and genres. It has all the features expected out of an advanced music player like shuffle, repeat and album art. You can slide up/down to adjust volume and flick left/right to change songs, making this player very finger friendly. The ability to continue playing songs while using other apps is a nice touch too. That’s not all; Kinoma has extended photo, audio and video features as well.
Flickr
Picture viewing doesn’t stop at the built in photo album. You can access your Flickr and Picasa accounts, as well as search Bing, Yahoo and Google images. For YouTube fanatics, you can login to your YouTube account to view your subscriptions, favorites, friends, messages and more. Search for clips by most viewed, top rated or by genres just like the real web client. One of the best aspects of Kinoma is the access it gives you to streaming music and radio. You can listen to songs or talk radio through SHOUTcast, TUNED and Live365. You can also stream thousands of on-demand podcasts. If you like audio books, Kinoma can give you access to a premium service in Audible, which brings downloadable audio books right to your device.
The days of having to use separate dedicated apps for your favorite social networking sites are over. Kinoma brings Twitter and Facebook right to the palm of your hand. 
With the fantastic Twitter app, you can update your status, get direct messages, search public timelines, select who to follow and see who’s following you. It really feels like you’re tweeting right from your computer. The Facebook app lets you update your status and view your friends’ statuses. You can also share pics, browse your friends’ pics and view their details. By using the YouTube client in conjunction with the Facebook app, you can let friends know what you’re watching.
Another excellent feature is the extensive menu pod system. No matter what screen you’re on or what app you’re in, you can open a menu that gives you several useful options. At some moments, you can send/share information by using Kinoma’s menu pod. Sharing is caring, so why not use Kinoma to share what you’re viewing or listening to with your friends? While viewing pics, listening to songs or watching video, you can share the activity with friends by text, email, Flickr and YouTube. Even update your Twitter Status and Facebook feed with info on what song you’re currently listening to.
If you’re running out of storage, try expanding your device’s storage by signing up with Orb, iDisk and Box.net. Then get a hold of your documents, images and music by connecting to your computer or online accounts via Kinoma Play. Orb is free and Box.net offers 1GB of free cloud storage, so these can go a long way in enhancing the Kinoma Play experience.
Do you like to keep up with current events? Search and add your favorite RSS feeds or access your Google Reader account. There’s no excuse not to keep up with the latest news with these apps. Another overlooked feature that’s simple, but very useful, is the flights app. It allows you to check for delays and statuses of flights quickly and easily. If you don’t see an app in Kinoma that you want, check out Kinoma’s built-in appstore. You can check out Windows Mobile freeware, buy apps, view screenshots or YouTube video demos before you buy and even download free trials.
Shortcuts
Kinoma’s layout can be customized by adding and moving icons to the home screen. You can choose from all the great apps Kinoma provides or you can also integrate it with shortcuts of other apps you have installed on your phone. By using the Start app, you can add quick links to your favorite apps onto your home screen. It’s almost as if you never have to leave Kinoma Play’s interface. This would clearly be a great options for adding much needed programs like GoogleMaps and Bing. Although, Kinoma has its own business search app. With Yelp, you can use your device’s built-in GPS to search for nearby business.
Let’s recap what Kinoma has to offer. Kinoma Play integrates with your existing accounts from Audible, Box, Facebook, Flickr, Last.fm, Live365, MobileMe, iDisk, Orb, Picasa, Twitter and YouTube. It gives you quick access to news and other media content without having to use a web browser. Finally, it provides the best experience for listening to music, watching videos and viewing pictures.
As expected with any full featured program, there are slight bumps in the road every now and then, but nothing to write home about. The big question remains, is this app worth its price tag? Because the Kinoma team decided to expand on the app’s core functions and make it a true all-in-one app, you will find yourself using some of your other apps less and less. Kinoma Play can reduce time spent navigating on slow web browsers, replace your Facebook & Twitter apps and give you access to multiple online services you never thought possible. All of these features in one application is what makes Kinoma Play a must have app for Windows Mobile; so yes, it’s definitely worth it.
Still not convinced? Have a look at a video walkthrough of Kinoma Play running on the Toshiba TG01…
Note: You can download a free version with limited features from Kinoma’s website. Also check out the TrialPay section for a great deal.
Pros:
- Great interface (customizable, nice animations/transitions)
- Finger friendly
- Excellent music & video player
- Fantastic photo viewer
- Huge assortment of extra apps
- Replaces many stand alone apps like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc
- Fairly easy to use
- Share info with others
- Integration with other apps and web clients
Cons:
- Price tag
- Can be a little slow when exiting certain apps
With iPhone there is an app for this and an another app for that, with Windows Mobile and Kinoma Play there is one app for all of that…
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9 Responses to “Kinoma Play – one app for all your media and social networking”
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When does it stop….hopefully never ever
Great Review… Love the site but you guys should review more apps
Kinoma Play is a great program (as noted above in the review). Don't let the price tag steer you away though. I signed up for some thing through TrialPlay, and ended up getting Kinoma for only $7. Depends on the offer you pick of course, but cancel it as soon as you get your serial!
Kinoma Play is a great program (as noted above in the review). Don't let the price tag steer you away though. I signed up for some thing through TrialPlay, and ended up getting Kinoma for only $7. Depends on the offer you pick of course, but cancel it as soon as you get your serial!
I use both Picassa and Flickr for sharing photos over the internet but i use Flickr more often than Picassa..:;
…….. ow yea!?