SuperTube – Video App Review

May 2, 2011 | By KennyB123

This is a video app review of “SuperTube”, brought to you by the developer Fast Code. Version 1.3 was used for this review.

SuperTube is a YouTube viewer, similar in function to LazyTube. I will compare the two together quite often, as they seem to be direct competitors. SuperTube’s main difference is that it has the ability to download videos to your phone for offline viewing.

After the break, we’ll look at the included features and review the app.

From the developer:

The basic functions:

Stream 720P, 360P videos from YouTube

Download YouTube videos, and supports resume broken downloads

Search all videos by relevance, published date, view count and rating

Support Multi-Language (English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese) and Multi-region function

Login YouTube account to view subscription and favorites

Supports full-screen mode to watch videos

Nearby video: view the videos near your location

Like, Dislike button and Comment

Share on Facebook and Twitter

Version 1.3 changes -

Custom background

Browse the videos with low quality

Optimize the function of playing the video in HQ and HD by 3G connection

Shortcut to SuperTube within the Zune Hub

All users of trial and full version can browse the videos in HQ and HD for free. Trial version contains advertisement, and limits users to download 3 videos successfully. Full version removes all advertisements, and allows users to download the videos without limit.

SuperTube has changed its UI considerably since the last couple releases. To be honest, it seems like they really tried to mimic the LazyTube interface. I can’t blame them, as it is an excellent interface.
The problem is, it doesn’t quite work as well. Nearly all the options to tweak your searches are available, but not terribly finger friendly. The pop up screen to change the time criteria leaves the “1 month” option unclickable.

Logging in with your YouTube account gives you all the features you need, including the ability to like/unlike, view your subscribed and favorited videos, and comment on videos. You can share videos with anyone through Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and Email.

The download feature definitely works. You can download at 360P or 720P if available. No in between “HQ” option is available. After a video is downloaded, you’ll need to click the back button several times to get to the main menu, swipe to the downloaded section, and then find your video to watch. This is very inconvenient. No, you cannot download videos in the background while typing an email or playing a game, but this is a limitation of Windows Phone 7. The developer can add this feature once Mango is released. Downloading can occur while browsing within the app, and even while watching a different video, which is convenient. Download resuming is supported.

Streaming or playing downloaded versions of 360P videos works great. However, a major issue occurs with playing 720P videos. It’s just plain choppy. Is it watchable? Yes, but it’s not terribly enjoyable. This is a huge problem. The developer has stated that video smoothness was improved, but I haven’t noticed any performance improvement.

Bottom Line:

Positives:

Ability to download videos for offline viewing
Full account options, including viewing subscriptions, favorites, commenting, and liking videos
Decent performance while navigating within the app
Download resuming is supported, if you need to leave the app for any reason

Negatives:

Choppy 720P video
A sometimes illogical user interface experience
User interface not polished, with some lack of finger friendliness and an unclickable option
No landscape support

Score: 6/10

Links:

SuperTube ($1.29 with Free Trial)

About Ken B.

Ken has been an avid fan of technology since the dawn of the 8086 chip. He owned a Sony Clie in the early 2000's, and jumped onto Windows Mobile 5 with the Motorola Q in 2006. Since then he has owned an HTC Touch Pro, an HTC HD2, and now owns a Samsung Focus.

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Tagged apps, marketplace, review, software, windows phone 7

Sina

Wow, that was too harsh…It is an excellent app to watch YouTube videos, and the choppyness only occurs on videos that have 1080p versions too… a problem that Youtube has, and not much apps can do about.

Pierre s

Yes, I would say it's not an objective review.
I own both apps, LazyTube and SuperTube, and I find SuperTube far better.
Suggest that SuperTube copied the LazyTube UI is ridiculous. They are absolutely different.

KennyB1234

I'm curious, what does Supertube do better while comparing features?

jackboo

I have tried Lazytube and SuperTube. I have bought the SuperTube. It is much better than Lazytube.
Lazytube claimed they can stream videos in HQ. Actually, their HQ is equal to 360P. The 480P is the FLV format. The WP7 devices and iphone don’t supports FLV up to now. HQ is just a word games,You have been cheated.Lazytube filtered a lot of music and videos, you can compare their app with SuperTube. You will find out the truth.
When I stream the video using Lazytube, it always lags. SupetTube 1.0 also has this issue. But SuperTube 1.3 has fixed this issue, and you can stream the 720P video for free.

http://twitter.com/moonmantweets @moonmantweets

LazyTube is better.
Pierre singer

You say "SuperTube tried to mimic the LazyTube interface. I can’t blame them, as it is an excellent interface.
The problem is, it doesn’t quite work as well. "
Actually I do not agree. Firstly, I find the two UI very different. Secondly, I definitely prefer the SuperTube UI, whih I find more logical and convenient.
I like the ability to change the background.
I definitely prefere SuperTube

The only thing that cause problems is the pop-up message (360P / 720P). Its position varies (top or bottom of the screen), and the white background is not beautiful. Black would be better.
KennyB1234

Wow, there's definitely a loyal following for both apps!

I don't find the UI's very different, but to each his own. I did battle between a 6 or a 7. A few minor improvements would have easily raised the score.

I'm sure the developer will continue to polish the app in the future.
Keith Orville

Lazytube is playing catch-up and is the inferior product at the moment. Supertube is the choice if you want to watch youtube on WP7.
Zulu

A the review is a bit harsh. Valid negatives but a 6/10? Really. It's the best youtube app out on any mobile device. HD downloading and streaming are a killer options. I'd agree that choppiness is a massive negative but it's much better since the update.

PS: When you say that the background can't be found, have you even looked at the 3 icons down the bottom. The settings button then swipe across. You can select any picture as the back ground.

Also why not talk about the bing integration? A lot of the app was missed. I think the UI is very well done and metro-esque. A better review is need i'm afraid.

KennyB1234

I see the background feature now. I definitely missed that. My apologies.

Can you explain what the Bing integration does? I checked it out right now, and I get a map of the world. The Previous or Next buttons don't seem to do anything.

pierre s

The Bing integration allows you to watch any YouTube nearby. I can see all the videos made nearby on a Bing map.

SuperTube has of course still some weaknesses at this stage, but mainly it has some features that lazytube does not have. Very honestly this app deserved a reasonable 8/10… 6/10 is not serious, especially if you did not fully tested the app.
Zulu

Sure. It shows nearby youtube videos that have been uploaded. Also things like pinch to increase or decrease the volume. This is a great article if you want more info http://windowsphonedaily.blogspot.com/2011/04/imp….

1.3 basically added viedo hub integration (Which is slightly buggy i might add) and the background picture.

I thought you review was just a tad harsh. It's be no means perfect but IMO better than a 6/10. Any way your entitled to your opinion and thanks for at least doing a review.
Pierre S

Bing integration allows you to watch on a Bing map all YouTube nearby.

Of course SuperTube has still some weaknesses at this stage. But mainly it has some great features that Lazytube currently does not have.
Sorry but your 6/10 rating is not realistic and definitely unfair. Especially if you did not fully tested the app.
Very honestly this app deserves a reasonable 8/10.

Pierre S

[sorry for my repost above]

Jean sanspeur

This a totally biaised review. Difficult to justify it reasonably.
Both apps are good, but SuperTube remains superior.

How is it possible that the author pretends he cannot change the background. It is so easy. Did he even try. Really.

Why the author neglected to mention the great Bing integration, which allows to watch any YouTube nearby? Strange.
Also, SuperTube is available in different languages. The French version is perfect.

Mainly LazyTube does not respect the Metro style. SuperTube does and has a sober and elegant UI.
jabtano

I'm pretty happy with the U Tube from HTC, works well for me.

Pierre S

Yes, it's great. Unfortunately not everybody can have it.

Steve

i haven't ventured into either of these apps yet, but the choice for me would be clear: SuperTube, so i can download videos for offline viewing. it's as simple as that. i'm sorry but if it's the ONLY app available with this feature, a 6/10 review seems awfully biased.
harold

I have no problem with his rating.. Like he said everyone is going to have an opinion… I personally like the HTC APP and found no reason to download another…. I have seen them all and personally I like the way HTC look and operates better. The other may offer a little bit more but I don't need all that it is overkill to me. I am not interested in downloading youtube videos.
http://twitter.com/MaulerX @MaulerX

LOL at this review. Did you get paid off by the LazyTube developer?? Seriously, SuperTube is the better app. In fact, the download feature alone makes this the better app. 720p videos that are downloaded play pretty darn smooth to me. Customize background, Bing integration etc…. 6/10 seems extremely biased.