Recommended Posts

On 6/30/2016 at 6:15 AM, Raphaël G. said:

Thanks!

 

I started development of Dopamine Mobile when Microsoft still seemed to care about their platform. Right now I have mixed feelings. I love UWP, but I don't want my work to be a waste of time. I don't like java, but there is Xamarin, which is now free, and allows creating Android apps using C#. So, my plans might change I don't know yet. Good news is I developed Dopamine in C# instead of VB. So the code is not lost. 

Reading the Microsoft tea leaves is always difficult and then the market and technology can change in ways that surprise them as well.

 

Only Satya knows if he wants to kill Windows Phone but based on everything he is doing, it makes sense to me to take his words for the moment as a 1 to 1 match with his intentions. He will release a premium phone and a couple of others every year aimed at the business market and will wait to see if he can jump on a sea change when something new comes along. If he kills Windows Phone completely then they are out of that opportunity essentially forever. The UWP programming model matches this strategy by including the Windows Phone as just one more device target. 

 

And in theory you can add Xbox if you do UWP and from what I can see your player would eclipse the thing that Microsoft currently provides.

 

Your app on Hololens would be a faun adventure as well but I can't see many people using it but I never visualized an augmented reality music player before and all sorts of groovy things start popping into my head...

 

 

Bug report, the critical one. 

 

1. Open Dopamine

2. Play an album

3. Click on the "pause" button

4. Dopamine plays next song in queue instead of pausing the song

 

Edit : did clean install. fix the problem

Edited by Tejoenardo
40 minutes ago, Tejoenardo said:

Bug report, the critical one. 

 

1. Open Dopamine

2. Play an album

3. Click on the "pause" button

4. Dopamine plays next song in queue instead of pausing the song

 

Edit : did clean install. fix the problem

Can not duplicate ... If that helps any...

9 hours ago, Zlip792 said:

I think you have the option to disable progress bar in the taskbar from the settings. If that's what you mean from progress bar.

Oh I see. :v

 

So,

fullscreen-only when on tablet mode, UI gets bugged when you try Mini player on tablet mode

drag-and-drop support! (drop selection, drop folder?)

+ Right-click now playing > add to playlist/create new playlist

And it's a perfect music player. (will wait if dev have plans to make it a 'media' player, it seriously looks good) 

11 hours ago, Fiere said:

Oh I see. :v

 

So,

fullscreen-only when on tablet mode, UI gets bugged when you try Mini player on tablet mode

drag-and-drop support! (drop selection, drop folder?)

+ Right-click now playing > add to playlist/create new playlist

And it's a perfect music player. (will wait if dev have plans to make it a 'media' player, it seriously looks good) 

Could you send me a screenshot of buggy UI in tablet mode? :) I wish I had a tablet to test it out.

Currently no plans to make it a media player yet. I got my hands full with audio.

Just now, Raphaël G. said:

Could you send me a screenshot of buggy UI in tablet mode? :) I wish I had a tablet to test it out.

Currently no plans to make it a media player yet. I got my hands full with audio.

It's just buggy when you try the 'mini player' while in tablet mode (doesn't require tablet or touchscreen monitor to enable :rofl:). Sorry I can't provide screenshots, I'm on a W7 device.

 

 

5 hours ago, Fiere said:

It's just buggy when you try the 'mini player' while in tablet mode (doesn't require tablet or touchscreen monitor to enable :rofl:). Sorry I can't provide screenshots, I'm on a W7 device.

 

 

Oh dear, I see what you mean. I never tried tablet mode before. Thanks. I'll check if I can do something about that.

  • 2 weeks later...
On 02/07/2016 at 9:15 PM, dakn said:

Well done! I'm still using Dopamine as my main/only player and loving it.

 

Regarding UWP, as an owner of a Surface and Lumia 950, I personally wouldn't use another player on my phone other than Groove as it does the job just fine for my usage, but I would really love to have Dopamine on my Surface.

Maybe if that means we get both then I would definitely give it a try on my phone and try to help you find any issues.

 

Someone has attempted to make a Zune like player in UWP but it isn't up to Dopamine standards - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/apps/bloom-music-player/9nblggh4ls1s

Thanks for the link!

I love Dopamine, truly. It's the best looking music player since Zune.

The mini player = awesome. Yes there are still one or two bugs in v1 (mostly around album art), and one or two small things I'm not keen on (those tiny alphabet buttons.. not good for touch!) but it's still phenomenal.

 

But for me, the future is a UWP app. I want the same app on all of my devices. I want to be able to play music on my Surface when I hit the power button. I've drank the Kool-aid.

 

Bloom is an interesting start, and it follows the same Zune/Dopamine design elements which is nice, and whilst Raphael's design is just loads better, I just want UWP apps in my future, so I'll be following the development of that app keenly now as well.

 

Though if Raph has time and effort to push his UWP (please not just mobile!) app, I'll stick around (and yes, good software should be rewarded financially)

Hi everyone,

 

I've decided to take a big step, and open source Dopamine. Mostly because I want to improve both feature wise and code wise (I still have a lot to learn).

I've opened a project on GitHub (no code yet, but it will be uploaded in a few weeks). Issues are already there, so you can keep track of what has already been requested and which bugs I'm currently tracking:

 

https://github.com/raphaelgodart/Dopamine/issues

19 hours ago, ZipZapRap said:

:o

was not expecting that!

good luck mate, may the force be with you

Genuine question, as I have no experience with open sourcing my own software: you think it's not a good idea?

 

Multiple reasons lead to this decision:

 

- Dopamine has gone out of control. I'm getting more feature requests (quite good ones) than I can handle + I got several developers offering their help

- I want to learn and improve my code. Some structures that I spend quite some time to figure out, could use some improvements. Maybe in the future, I won't have to spent so much time figuring out stuff, if there's 3rd party help

- I needed a tool to make bug and feature request tracking public. GitHub is the ideal place for that. By the way, I changed the GitHub link; https://github.com/digimezzo/Dopamine

 

However, there is also a downside: I don't want my project to lead its own life. Someone grabbing my code and releasing its own version is one of my biggest fears. I guess I'll have to find out the hard way.

From someone that has been part of several big Minecraft related projects in the past (Libigot, Spoutcraft/Spout, currently Sponge). Open Source helps greatly with big projects simply because others can contribute to your work, point out flaws in the design, etc.

 

Of course you'll always run the risk of someone forking your code (if you put up your code) and taking it down a different path.. but that isn't a bad thing! Some people have different ideals about how a piece of code/software should run or act.

 

Great project. Would love to be able to use it but I primarily use Google Music so it wouldn't really help me heh.

5 hours ago, ZipZapRap said:

No no. I don't think it's good or bad, I just wasn't expecting it. And I really mean, good luck! Your reasons are not mine to judge, I just wish you the best of luck, that's all.

Ah great :) Thanks! I appreciate it.

5 hours ago, Grinch said:

From someone that has been part of several big Minecraft related projects in the past (Libigot, Spoutcraft/Spout, currently Sponge). Open Source helps greatly with big projects simply because others can contribute to your work, point out flaws in the design, etc.

 

Of course you'll always run the risk of someone forking your code (if you put up your code) and taking it down a different path.. but that isn't a bad thing! Some people have different ideals about how a piece of code/software should run or act.

 

Great project. Would love to be able to use it but I primarily use Google Music so it wouldn't really help me heh.

Thanks for your feedback. It's very helpful. other people's contributions and pointing out flaws in my design is exactly what I'm looking for. My code will be available. I'm looking forward to how things will go from here.

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Posts

    • Cuktech 10 Ultra charger review: big display, four ports, 110W total power by Taras Buria Cuktech recently announced a couple of Ultra-branded chargers, including a desktop 300W charger, which I reviewed a few weeks ago. For those who do need that much (or who do not want to spend that much on a charger), Cuktech also offers the 10 Ultra, a traditional wall charger with similar features. Four ports, a big display, and up to 110W of power output. After using it for a few weeks, here are my impressions. Disclaimer: Cuktech provided the review unit without any editorial input or pre-approval. Like the 30 Ultra, the 10 Ultra arrived in a box made of nice cardboard with quality print all over it. Inside, besides the charger, you will find a 240W 6A charger, which, this time, is fully braided. While Cuktech always bundles high-power cables with its chargers and power banks, they are usually regular and unassuming. This time, the cable is much nicer, matching the charger's $59.99 price tag. The charger itself measures 67 x 76 x 33 mm or 2.6 x 3.0 x 1.3 inches and weighs about 250 grams. Considering the charger has four ports and a big display, I would say the compact size is quite impressive, albeit a little hefty. The overall design is similar to other chargers from the manufacturer, minus the chrome Cuktech logo next to the four ports. The Cuktech 10 Ultra has retractable prongs for better portability. Its front side is covered with piano black plastic housing two elements: a capacitive button with backlight and a quite large display for various charging stats. Ports are downward-facing, and I have mixed feelings about such a design. It is not the most convenient when you frequently connect and disconnect cables. It makes you bend over to find the right port to connect, and it is a no-go with outlets mounted closer to the floor. On the bright side, design like this eliminates clutter and sagging, especially when using four cables at once. Plus, you get plenty of space for a big display. Ports include two high-speed USB Type-C ports, one Type-C for less demanding devices, and one classic USB Type-A. The first two ports deliver full 100W, while the third is capped at 45W. As for the Type-A port, its maximum output is 18W. In total, the charger delivers 110W of power, but in my testing, I managed to squeeze 117W when charging two power banks and a tablet. Quite impressive. Type-C1 Type-C2 Type-C3 Type-A Single-port 100W 100W 45W 18W Two ports 80W 20W - - Three ports 65W 20W 20W - Four ports 65W 20W 10W 10W The charger can detect handshake protocols and balance power across all four ports according to each device's needs. As such, power is not limited to the values in the table above. You can have two ports charging at 55W, three ports at 45W + 20W, and more. For some reason, Cuktech is not listing the supported protocols, but a quick test showed that it is compatible with PD3.0, PPS, QC5, DCP, and UFCS. When you connect a compatible device, the charger automatically detects its charging standard and displays it on the screen, for example, Apple 6A or Samsung 3A. Speaking of the screen. The main highlight of the 10 Ultra is its 1.57-inch display with a maximum brightness of 700 nits and 160-degree viewing angles. The display takes up most of the front, and it shows various charging-related information, including total output power, current temperature, power distribution across ports with watts, volts, and amps, a screensaver, and more. You can toggle between the different views by tapping the button, and holding it changes the screen orientation (portrait or horizontal, plus flipped) according to your socket position. The screen is very nice. It is sharp, vivid, and the fonts are easy to read. As for settings, you can change the following: Keep the screen on or off Lock the screen orientation (hold the button to change the screen orientation) Keep the USB Type-A port on Toggle power modes The charger has three power modes: AI: standard mode that automatically allocates power to each connected device. Power Priority: prioritizes power for high-demand devices, such as laptops or power banks. Balanced: splits power evenly across connected devices according to their needs I was skeptical at first, but after testing a few devices in different modes, I can see the benefit of these three modes. The most useful is power priority, which gives the first Type-C port more power. When I was charging a 100W power bank (port 1) alongside a 140W power bank (port 2), Power Priority split the total output about 75-30. Balanced mode, as the name suggests, splits the total output between the two ports more or less equally. As for AI mode, the charger uses its brain to detect which device needs more power. In my testing, it figured out that the 140W power needs a bit more juice. As I said, I expected this to be more of a gimmick, but the three built-in modes turned out quite useful. For example, you can prioritize your laptop while giving other ports a little less power, but still enough to charge at acceptable speeds. Unfortunately, unlike the 30 Ultra, this charger cannot display the battery level of the device being charged. This small feature turned out to be very useful when I was testing the 30 Ultra, as it allowed me to see my phone's battery level without picking it up. Like other Cuktech chargers I tested, the 10 Ultra one proved itself reliable and well-made. It uses Gallium nitride semiconductor technology to reduce the charger's size and improve efficiency. It is also better at dissipating heat, but I have to say that when charging two power banks at 117W total, the charger got hotter than what I would call comfortable (hold it for a few seconds, and you start feeling a burning sensation at your fingertips). However, the built-in thermal indicator remained below the temperature threshold, with the screen reassuring that the device operated at "High performance" (I tested it in a 21 °C / 69 °F room). Overall, the Cuktech 10 Ultra is a solid choice. If you need four ports and you like to nerd out on various stats, it is a very easy recommendation. It will take care of your laptop, phone, tablet, and power bank without breaking a sweat, plus the build, material, and cable quality are top-notch. The mode switcher is handy when charging different devices with different power needs, too. I cannot say a display is a must-have in a charger, especially when it makes you more conscious about where to plug it, but it is a neat addition if you have a socket at your table or bed level, so that you can actually use the display and its features. The more important fact is that despite its size and quality, the display does not make the charger that much more expensive than similarly powerful chargers from competitors. Plus, you can save 10% on the 10 Ultra with a promo code on Amazon. Buy Cuktech 10 Ultra charger - $53.99 on Amazon with a promo code As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Last week I was investigating an issue with contacts and tried using the new Outlook. In the real (Classic) Outlook, you can easily go to any Outlook folder and present it in a Table View, then customize the columns to show/sort any field, which was exactly what I needed. But of course, the new Outlook doesn't have this feature at all. I gave up. Oh, and can we possibly stop claiming the new Outlook has PST support? What it really has is the ability to use the real Outlook in the background to pretend to have PST support. There is no PST support without the real Outlook installed.
    • Honestly just before Panos left it started to feel like MS just wasnt interested in them so they were being less innovative with them, and then when he DID leave for Amazon its kind of clear the direction is gone. It felt like Panos had both goals and drive, and a vision, but it felt like no matter what his title/department was the Surface devices never had the full interest of the rest of management and he was just pushing a bolder up a hill that MS was adding dirt to as he went.
    • A roguelike and a 4X strategy game are free to claim on the Epic Games Store by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe The final leg of the Epic Games Store's mystery giveaways promotion just landed, and it brought along two more games to keep. Last week's Lonestar and Calico giveaways have now been replaced with copies of Rogue Waters and Songs of Conquest to claim for PC gamers. As always, the game is yours to add permanently to your Epic Games Store library within the next seven days. Diving into the games, Songs of Conquest is developed by Lavapotion. This is a turn-based 4X strategy experience that has players making tough decisions and participating in tactical combat while also managing their kingdom. "Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown," explains the developer. "Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking – seize it." Meanwhile, Rogue Waters comes from developer Ice Code Games. This rogue-lite experience has you taking the role of Captain Cutter as he commands his ship and crew through procedurally generated encounters. You'll be recruiting and training crew, use sea creatures, and battle with other ships and pirates. "Set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate caught in a deadly struggle for power and vengeance," adds the developer. "Navigate dangerous waters, unleash mythical sea creatures, and outwit enemies as you chase legendary treasure and confront dark secrets." The newly available Rogue Waters and Songs of Conquest giveaways on the Epic Games Store are set to run until June 11, giving PC gamers seven days to claim the latest offer. Once this closes out, a new freebie will take its place on the same day, which is slated to be Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks. Don't forget that mobile gamers can check out the Epic Game Store's weekly giveaways on Android and iOS to grab a freebie there as well.
    • Still using Classic Outlook? Microsoft highlights 15 reasons to switch to New Outlook by Usama Jawad As many of you may know, Microsoft has been trying to get customers to ditch Classic Outlook in favor of New Outlook for quite some time now. To that end, it has added numerous capabilities to the latter, including PST features, and it is working on several more, such as a unified inbox. However, customer response has been a bit lukewarm so far, with many considering the New Outlook to be "hot garbage". Now, Microsoft has highlighted 15 features that users can leverage in New Outlook in yet another attempt to get customers to migrate. Although not all of the 15 capabilities are exclusive to New Outlook, in fact, most of them are available in Classic Outlook as well. But Microsoft hopes that this combination of familiar and fresh features will be able to attract existing users as well as new ones. For ease of readability, we have summarized the 15 features below: Pin an email: This makes it easier to track important emails Snooze an email: You can temporarily snooze an email thread for a specific time frame until it becomes relevant again. This can be very useful in scenarios where you don't feel like actively following a thread or simply want to follow up on a later date Add multiple categories at the same time: You can assign multiple categories to an email through a single, simplified interface Sweep: As the name implies, you can define automated move processes on your inbox to declutter it, rather than cleaning it up manually Schedule send: Does exactly what it says on the tin, and can be useful when accommodating recipients in different timezones Simplified folder sharing: The sharing process has been simplified so permissions are automatically applied on parent folders Follow a meeting: This is an RSVP option that lets people know that you won't be able to join the meeting but would still like to access a recap Save calendar views: You can save different views for the calendar based on different workflows Improved meeting tracking: Organizers have more controls in viewing meeting responses, such as the ability to sort and download them. Typically useful when there is a large audience Meeting recap: The Outlook Calendar surfaces a meeting recap with recordings, transcripts, and shared files Filtered views: Allows you to declutter your Calendar so that it's easier to scan and schedule Change a recurring event: Users can modify future events of a series of meetings while preserving the configuration of previous ones Rename your email account: This labeling makes it easier to identify multiple accounts in Outlook Modern themes: Exactly what the name says, plus Dark Mode Keyboard shortcuts: This facilitates flexible user behavior as customers can choose between Outlook for Windows shortcuts, Outlook for the web, or turn them off completely There you have it. It's a decent list, but it remains to be seen if it will move the needle in a meaningful way for users who are attached to Classic Outlook. Again, a lot of the aforementioned features are already available in Outlook Classic, but for some, native functionality is not present, and people typically resort to workarounds. Microsoft will be hoping that it's primarily those capabilities that get people to finally switch.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Conversation Starter
      mobandz earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Apprentice
      fernan99 went up a rank
      Apprentice
    • One Month Later
      nothanks earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      B2Proxy earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      MadMung0 earned a badge
      One Year In
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      478
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      247
    3. 3
      Skyfrog
      79
    4. 4
      FloatingFatMan
      76
    5. 5
      Michael Scrip
      60
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!