By:
The Online Reporter
Publish Date: May 08, 2009
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The difference between a mobile Web site and an app just got a bit
blurrier thanks to AirKast.
The mobile media company recently put out a TuneKast iPhone “app”
that looks and acts more like an Internet interface. The company
calls the service both an app and a delivery platform, though
TuneKast isn’t something a user must download from Apple’s App Store.
Users point their browser at the correct Web address for the service
and station they want to access through the TuneKast system, and can
then stream music from an associated webcast of a terrestrial radio
station. For some stations, the interface gives information and
something to look at on the phone, but for others it shows a
relatively empty background.
The reason this blurs the fine line between app and Web site is
because of how it will be used. By simply having a simple and mostly
clear background and by hosting a station’s stream in the browser,
TuneKast lets users stream the radio station while they do other
things with the device. It drops to the background and allows users
other functionality – something few of its competitors offer.
TuneKast also offers some on-demand content and keeps a record of
recently played songs. The record can be used to find lyrics,
purchase music and share with friends. TuneKast can also link to
YouTube videos.
The service is funded by advertising and the vast majority of ads
seem to be for movies.
The main interface offers more options and features than most radio
apps — the mostly blank interface occurs when a station is selected —
and a standalone application is expected in coming months based upon
this main screen. Hopefully the new app will take advantage of the
updates to the iPhone that allow apps to work in the background.
