NicoNicoDouga iPhone Application First Look!
Written by Jeshii on 2009.04.28 – 04:11 -
Finally, after all this time… the NicoDou iPhone/iPod Touch app has finally been released!
After using it, I can safely say it is better than I expected. I guess the wait was worth it after all.
I have a lot to say, but for those of you with limited blog reading time, here are the main points:
1. Views NicoDou videos
2. Shows comments
3. Publishes comments
2. Available on US iTunes Store
3. Runs over Edge, 3G, and WiFi
Remember, you need a NicoDou account to use this app. If you don’t have one, go get one here!
Full review and lots of screen shots after the jump!
Where to start? This program really was worth the wait. From every angle, the app seems to have really had a lot of work put into it. In fact, they also conveniently updated their flash player at the same time the app was released (approved?). I’m guessing they were saving the flash update to go with the app since they share a new design look and some new functions. So rather than thinking of this as just another app, this seems to be a part of their push to move NicoDou to a wider audience.
For those of you who haven’t heard anything about it yet, but are familiar with NicoDou in general, the app is what you would expect; a way to watch NicoDou videos with comments. One thing people were very curious about was whether it would support adding comments.
Click コメントする
Enter your comment
Choose positon, size, and color.
Even on the actual site, people can see your comment!
As you can see, it does let you put in comments, and that’s really the worst thing about the app. It stops the video and opens up a new screen where you can publish the comments. So, what you lose in real time, you gain in function, since you can do all the colors and variations that are normally available as well.
The thing that really surprised me, well, the first thing that really surprised me was that it was freely available on the US iTunes store. I was so worried I would need a Japanese iTunes account to download it. This saved me a lot of worry! So, peoples of the world, can you download it?
Remember, you still need to enter you account info to sign in. This is accomplished by clicking the 設定 (settei, lower right hand corner).
Then click カウント設定
Enter your mail address and password, and hit 確認 in the upper right.
Last, the thing that really surprised me… It works over edge. See, in Japan, the iPhone wasn’t released until the 3G, so they don’t have the 1st gen iPhones to worry about. Even the user interface tells you if you are on 3G or WiFi. And, since I am on really crappy hacked T-Mobile edge, I would pretty sure there would be no way in hell I could watch videos over edge. I was wrong. It works, even over my stupid edge. The YouTube app doesn’t even work over my edge connection! This is the thing that makes me the happiest man on earth. I can now NicoNico wherever and whenever I like. It is a dream come true.
Using it over Edge, which shows as 3G
One last odd thing I noticed was that one of my videos I uploaded “wasn’t available to non-premium users.” I’m not quite sure what that is about, but I’m guessing they restrict unpopular videos for some reason… further research is needed!
Wow. Why aren’t you playing with it, right now?!
Tags: app, app review, Apple, ニコニコ動画, Dwango, edge, gadgets, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone Apps, NicoDou, NicoNicoDouga, screenshots, ss, technology, wifi
Posted in Internet | 5 Comments »
By blaine on Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
NicoDou scares me when I visit the webpage.
When I watch vids and see all those comments flying across the screen, I feel like I might pass out from text overload or something.
I am still kind of trying to navigate around it and make sense of things. Its a good Japanese workout for me.
I have no iPhone so I can’t play. But someday NicoNicoDouga will make sense to me!
By Jeshii on Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
NicoDou is such a good way to work on your speed reading! And you really do get used to it after a while. It used to bug me, but now I love it and can’t live without the comments. Another reason I’m so excited about this iPhone app!
By attilam on Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
I downloaded the app, gave it a quick test and love it!
I agree, it shows that they put a lot of effort into it to make, so it feels like the original as well as an iPhone app at the same time.
I like the comments too, beside the speed reading exercise it also feels like you’re watching the videos with others around
By Suki on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
I can’t get it…. i tried the link and its not available in US store anymore ..;A;
By Jeshii on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534
Since it is no longer on the US store, you can use the above link to show you how to download it from the Japan store with a Japanese account, even without a Japanese credit card.