Review: PocketTunes

If you have a Treo 600, then this is your best bet when it comes to adding and MP3 player. Treo 650 owners should consider this as a solid alernative to RealPlayer. Read why in our review.

Review: PocketTunes

Ratings:
By: Christopher Meinck

Looking to extend the features of your Treo? PocketTunes for Palm OS by NormSoft is a robust audio application for the Treo. It turns your Treo into a portable MP3 player and streaming audio device. There is a basic version and deluxe version available.

iTreo not iPod

With the addition of PocketTunes, you'll be enjoying MP3's on your Treo in no time. Simply add files to your SD card and locate them in PocketTunes. You can listen to music through the Treo's built-in speaker or though stereo headphones specifically made for the Treo. PocketTunes allows you to create playlists (Gym, Commuting, etc) and a convenient shuffle feature. Moving MP3's via a USB port can be time consuming and the lack of an iTunes type sync makes the iPod the clear choice when looking for strictly an MP3 player. However, that's not why people buy Treo's. They purchase Treo's so they can carry one device and do more with that device. PocketTunes and the Treo are just another shining example of the many functions of the Treo.

Personlize With Skins

One of the fun features of PocketTunes are the available skins. For years, desktop MP3 players have had skins to customize the look and feel of your audio player. PocketTunes is no different. You can find freeware skins or purchase skins . There is even a very well designed iTunes skin. Simply select Tools > Choose Skin and select from the variety of skins installed on your Treo. For my money, the included Hi-Fi skin was perfect. Not only does it look great, but the buttons are easy to see and operate. You can either use the touch screen or the 5 way directional. PocketTunes fully supports the 5 way Treo navigation. Up and down handles your volume while left and right shuffles songs. The center button pauses and plays. Very simple and nicely integrated.

Sounds Good

There is a built-in equalizer in PocketTunes that allows for 8 presets. PocketTunes does not come with any presets. This would have been nice to provide various settings (Acoustic, Spoken Word, etc). You can rename the presets, so a little trial and error will get you the EQ settings you need. If you don't feel comfortable with EQ settings, you can check out iTunes settings for various music genres and copy the settings on PocketTunes. This might be an easy way to get good settings with minimum effort.

Streaming Audio

This is simply one of the features that wowed me. It's available only in the deluxe version and makes the deluxe version the way to go. PocketTunes has support for Shoutcast internet radio. So, you can choose from a variety of music types and stream audio right to your Treo! The easiest way to do this is to access TreoMobile via your Treo's web browser and select Music: Shoutcast Links. Currently, we've set up 8 categories including 80's music, Alternative, Pop, Country, Metal, Jazz, Rap and my favorite Sports Talk. Each category has a links to Treo friendly streaming music (under 64kbps). Select a link and Blazer will ask you download. Hit Yes and you will be prompted to Open. This will launch PocketTunes and will begin the audio stream. Switching to the PocketTunes application will continue the stream and provide you with details on the broadcast. As of this writing, I'm listening to Firehouse "Don't Treat Me Bad" on Hair Band Radio. If you have suggestions for new streams, please send them to us with your PocketTunes Shoutcast request. We'll do our best to include these in TreoMobile.com. Update: As pointed by a reader, you will not be able to receive calls while streaming since this is akin to using the data connection.

Support For Others

There are countless applications that require the use of MP3 player and have chosen to support PocketTunes. If you own one of these applications , than PocketTunes will be a worthy additon. For example, the excellent ringtone manager CallFilter (see Everything Treo review) requires PocketTunes to play MP3 ringtones.

Treo 650

While the Treo 650 comes with RealPlayer, we have not had the opportunity to evaluate this application. It does not offer the streaming capabilities of PocketTunes, so if this feature is important then PocketTunes is your answer.

Overall

The Treo 600 does not come standard with an MP3 application. With robust MP3 capability, integration with countless 3rd party applications, streaming audio using Shoutcast and the ability to skin your player, Everything Treo recommends PocketTunes as an essential application for Treo owners. The basic version retails for $14.95 and the deluxe version runs $27.95. Click here for more information. NOTE: The trial version does not allow for streaming audio. The only way to get streaming audio is to puchase the deluxe version. Treo 650 owners looking for streaming audio should consider PocketTunes as an addition to their RealPlayer.

Pocket Tunes Deluxe retails for $34.95. Pocket Tunes Basic retails for $14.95.