New Scaratings

Starting a thread here for those of us using the Android client to keep track of problems/bugs/etc.

I'll try to have semblance of organization with something like:

Confirmed
Unconfirmed
Site Related
WTF

If you see any issues, drop 'em here.

I'll update this post with any new issues added.

Starting the reports here, collected from a few people/places already:

Confirmed

1) Needs to be able to be moved to SD Card due to size of install

2) App causes GPS to run constantly, causing quick battery drain

3) Application is very slow to pick up current location
--Note: This is most likely due to blocked GPS, given Buzztime seems to be doing pretty darned regular checks on "where you are". Witnessed this myself, where I had to walk outside for a clearer view of the sky for it to pick up where I actually was. Waited well over 5 minutes before that.

4) In a lower signal area, the application will boot the player, sometimes mid-game, and say there is a problem with the connection to the location

5) In some cases, the next game will not load, leaving the player in the previous game menu.
--Note: This one is likely due to poor reception, seen it happen twice, on both phones bars were 2 or below.

Unconfirmed

1) Client gives "invalid login or password" while login and password works everywhere else (from Android Marketplace -- two reports)

2) App keeps screen from turning off (from Android Marketplace)
--Note: This is pretty standard functionality for Android, and most Android devices have the ability to turn the screen off from a button should you choose

WTF

1) Needs a logoff key (from Android Marketplace).

2) No question or answer is shown??? (from Android Marketplace)
--**facepalms**

3) Always runs in the background and can't be shut down (from Android Marketplace)
--Both are untrue, and the misconception is across the board for many Android apps

I'll tack on a reply if the same issue is on the iTouch. If someone has an iPhone, you are welcome to share your comparisons.

Confirmed
1) I have the iTouch, which doesn't use an SD card, so can't say if this is a similar issue. Sorry
2) Confirmed on the iTouch. Runs connected all the time, and drains the battery FAST
3) Haven't noticed this on the iTouch, but I've seen it on my HTC EVO Android. When I tested it two days ago in my office, with no widows, it took forever to attempt (and fail) to connect. Note that the iTouch connects via WiFi, and my phone via the cell network.
4) I've had lost connections mid-game with the iTouch, sometimes not able to re-connect to the bar unless I exit the app and go back in.
5) Can't confirm on the iTouch. Anyone with an iPhone confirm this?

Unconfirmed

1) Never had this on the iTouch, and haven't seen it yet on my Android.
2) The screen won't go off on the iTouch either, unless connection to the bar is dropped.

WTF

1) Very much agree that both versions of the app need a logoff and/or exit button
2) It wasn't supposed to show questions. Many comments came out when the iPhone/iTouch app came out. It's obvious why
3) I've seen components run in the background if there is no connect made to a bar, and you don't exit out properly. Not an issue on the iTouch version

Regarding the iPod Touch, I highly doubt most of the problems mentioned above would exist if connecting through WiFi, which the Android version is also able to do, to my understanding.

I just did Android since they have a list of iPod/iPhone issues up on the BT site itself, but keep 'em coming. Good to compare.

Good Morning Players-

My name is Tom, work over here at Buzztime, I joined the board over the summer while doing some work on Hosted Trivia and I work with our Mobile Playmaker application. I know you have some genuine concerns and I will do my best to address these as they come up.

Per some of the comments thus far, let me see if we can start a dialogue about our approach with the way we put the Mobile Playmaker together.



1) Needs to be able to be moved to SD Card due to size of install
Yes we are aware of this desire from many players. As I understand it, this is a newer issue,that was only added to Android phones that are running the 2.2 operating system. Our app was designed to run on the greatest number of phones so we built against the 1.5 OS. It does limit the ability to simply add this functionality but it is something we are investigating and we will report back if we can add this request.

2) App causes GPS to run constantly, causing quick battery drain
For a multitude of technical reasons, we have to run the GPS location services during the game. We would love to minimize this but at this time is an important aspect of how we connect users to the location they are at.

3) Application is very slow to pick up current location
--Note: This is most likely due to blocked GPS, given Buzztime seems to be doing pretty darned regular checks on "where you are". Witnessed this myself, where I had to walk outside for a clearer view of the sky for it to pick up where I actually was. Waited well over 5 minutes before that.
The signal strength from your telecom provider is something we have no control over. We have many reports of users with zippy fast experiences picking up the location in multiple areas and multiple building types. We wish we could grab the 4 major mobile providers and force them to plant cell towers in each of your locations but it's hard to find the ears of a telecom giant.

4) In a lower signal area, the application will boot the player, sometimes mid-game, and say there is a problem with the connection to the location.
Again where are those darn telecom ears? If the signal strength at the location is not where it should be, there is very little we can do.

5) In some cases, the next game will not load, leaving the player in the previous game menu.
--Note: This one is likely due to poor reception, seen it happen twice, on both phones bars were 2 or below.
I can't speak to this specific example, without more insight to what the issue was.

Unconfirmed

1) Client gives "invalid login or password" while login and password works everywhere else (from Android Marketplace -- two reports) In these cases, we are reminding players that these devices are similar to the website and that they are in fact case sensitive.

2) App keeps screen from turning off (from Android Marketplace)
--Note: This is pretty standard functionality for Android, and most Android devices have the ability to turn the screen off from a button should you choose
Well you wouldn't want the darned thing to go to sleep on you in the middle of a game because we went to a commercial. You might miss a question or your turn to make a move in Texas Hold 'Em

WTF

1) Needs a logoff key (from Android Marketplace).
This is the intended design, just so you don't accidentally knock yourself out of the game during a hot streak.

2) No question or answer is shown??? (from Android Marketplace)
--**facepalms**
Really? Facepalms? Save yourself from the red face- this has always been the way our Mobile Playmaker has operated. We designed a game controller essentially, similar to something you might use to play a console or a remote for your television. It's intended purpose is give you the opportunity to play at your local Buzztime location, where you can see the questions and answers on screen.


3) Always runs in the background and can't be shut down (from Android Marketplace)
--Both are untrue, and the misconception is across the board for many Android apps
Finally a win for us, ay? Yes if you don't force stop the app or use a task killer app, it *may* run for a while after you leave a Buzztime location. HOWEVER, Android is a tricky little system that takes what it needs, when it needs it. If it needs more memory, it terminates applications that have been placed in the background. So basically if you leave, close the app, eventually your phone will turn it off for you. Pretty smart stuff huh?

_________________

Trivia Enthusiast and Host of Pub Quizzes/ Live Trivia
Buzztime Product Manager
Regular Host for Buzztime LIVE Trivia

It is running far too often. It does not need to run as much as it does -- in fact, if you turn it off DURING the game, it plays better than if you had it on. See the e-mail I sent you guys directly regarding it and some testing.



Correct. These are under WTF because I consider them idiotic.



The facepalm was at comment from the Marketplace, not directed at Buzztime. I thought it was a highly idiotic question, unless the person downloading it has no exposure whatsoever to the Mobile Playmaker over the last year or so (quite possible).



I think you should just post a public link to garbage collection in Android and the many good articles on why apps run in the background and how they are terminated. Lots of misconception out there.

What??? Problems with Androids? No such thing since they are perfect smart phones.

1. Can't connect to site list server. (Connection failure)

2. The one time I did get it to connect (in Lafayette LA) it showed three locations, however, it said no games available at any of them.

Tom, I'd like to thank you, and Buzztime, for posting here. We appreciate the effort.

If BT gets this thing working as well as a playmaker let me know. Probably about 5 years away on that.

The one time I saw someone using an Iphone they were hitting the answer at the exact same time I was on a playmaker and they were getting 400 - 500 points less than the playmaker.

That will never ever work but speed can be improved. Phone battery life was also a major problem.

Nice idea but not going to work properly for many years.

_________________
BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!

Bud, I was getting about 10 points less if I hit it slow (1000s were fine).

As far battery goes, I dropped about $60 bucks on a heavy-duty battery, figuring I'd pay $60 for my own Playmaker if it were offered. Technically, it should last playing an entire day. I had hoped to use it at least 5 hrs straight and see how it goes, but am sick right now and might not get out this weekend.

For Android, you can often get a LOT of extra juice by turning off a bunch of things that aren't technically necessary but are often on by default. Battery actually will hold up longer than an IPhone (by default, the iPhone will get better battery life, IME anyway).

Keeping in mind this can also be used on tablets, I would not say "not going to work properly for many years." If you look at something like the iPad, that sucker will hold a battery charge for a LONG time playing (have tried this myself).

Only 10 points off from the playmaker? Well that is good news.

Maybe the android is faster than the Iphone? or it has to do with the location wireless network? Not sure how it works.

All I know is what I saw at Hardtimes a few months ago and it wasn't good.

Can you change answers and get the same points as on a playmaker? That was the really bad situation with the guy's Iphone.
He could get 1000s but changing from there was terrible.

Thanks for keeping players updated.

_________________
BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!

There have been a couple of instances where I couldnt change my answers in sufficient time but at other times I could so it may be the network more than the phone.

One problem with the Playmaker app that I got is the buttons are way too close to each other, especially on Spotlight. Thought I pressed 7 on the Flashback round, instead it was 4.

_________________
Mitch (MTCHWF/WLFFLY)

Co-Home Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings Edwardsville, IL and Time Out in St Louis, MO

One of our players has been using his android app for Showdown the last few weeks, pretty much as a necessity due to a dearth of boxes. He reports the same kind of lag issues if he does not get it for 1000, although they are more on the order of 15-100 points off. There have been a couple of times, though, when he tried to switch right after that last clue and ended up with -250 on Countdown Round questions.

He (and I on my iPhone) have had issues with being dropped by the WiFi connection and then having trouble getting back on again. He tried an all-3G game last week, though, and said that he had no problems being dropped. If you have an unlimited data plan, you may want to consider this option.

He also found that battery-drain was an issue, but it seemed to be more of an issue with my iPhone. I went in a couple weeks ago charged up to 100%, and was down around 50% when the game was over.

_________________
Anon
"He may seem like Mr. Rogers but a dark spirit lies beneath."

I used for the first timeit to play Spotlight last Friday, and it was a success. The reduction in lag time on the Date round was tangible. I fully intend to use my phone for Spotlight going forward.

That said, last night when I logged in, and selected Old Town Tavern, I received the message (paraphrased), "this site is not currently connected to the Buzztime network." I immediately tried logging in to some of the other available sites, and all three that I tried let me right in.

I went and checked for internet connectivity, and everything was up. Moments later, the network rankings came up for Topix, confirming this.

Anyone run across this issue? I'm not sure if this issue is really specifically described in this thread, but I suppose I will power cycle everything and reboot the system next time I get the chance.

I see that before but also when I try to login, it claims I can't cause it said that my phone "is on airplaine mode" which is not true.

_________________
Mitch (MTCHWF/WLFFLY)

Co-Home Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings Edwardsville, IL and Time Out in St Louis, MO

Downtown Bar and Grill in Middletown, CT consistently gets this message. But they have not reported since 2/28/2011; I seriously think they are dropping NTN. Based on your post, I suspect that Old Town Tavern was temporarily disconnected from the NTN system when you tried to access it; those things happen. I know Rookies in Cromwell, CT gets disconnected from time to time, for instance.

Personally, even with no lag time, I would prefer to use the standard Playmaker, simply because I can feel the buttons and don't have to look to ensure pressing the right answer. Also, I can take a break by playing Shark Attack on the standard machine. I like my Smart Tab, but I don't see any advantage to using it if a standard Playmaker is available.

-- RWM

_________________
"...It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED...."

Ive gotten that error message. Backed out and got right in on 2nd try. Could be anything.

Who knows what it was, but I've gotten in without issue every time since.

I'd like to see a function to find sites by zip so we could drop in bars across the country.
"Who is that kicking our ass?! Are they hiding in the john?"

I hear ya Pepe.

_________________
Mitch (MTCHWF/WLFFLY)

Co-Home Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings Edwardsville, IL and Time Out in St Louis, MO