Sky Go Discussions

[riand0]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your posts around Sky Go, please see below further information on the points you have raised:

As some of you have suggested in the past there are over 300 Android smartphones in the market – all with varying versions of the operating system, different components, screen sizes and resolutions.  This variation in device specification and the complexity of the Sky Go app means that it is not currently possible to build something generic that will work across all Android devices. With this in mind and to deliver the app to as many Sky customers as possible, we have taken the decision to build for the most current versions of Android handsets – v2.2 and v2.3.  These are the operating systems that our seven listed handsets use and our research has shown that these handsets cover at least 60% of the Android handsets out there enabling us to deliver Sky Go to a good proportion of our customer base.  We appreciate that the lack of availability on tablets and earlier versions of the Android operating system could be frustrating for some customers, but we are continually working on the Android version of Sky Go and to deliver updated versions.

Regarding the difference between Sky in the UK and other Sky businesses in Europe; as we have stated previously, the day to day running and technical development of these companies are not connected in any way.  Our products and services are developed and delivered in line with the UK market; therefore the devices we have chosen to launch on are the most popular based on sales volumes in the UK.

The number of devices you are able to register has been an on-going cause for discussion on the Forum and I’d like to address that again.  We are required to fulfil certain contractual obligations with our 3rd party content providers; this includes limitations on the number of devices our customers can watch their content on.  This is in place to protect distribution of content and fraudulent use.  
To minimise the impact of the device limits we have tried our best to ensure that our customers are able to access Sky Go on a wide range of devices which will soon include 10 smartphone models; iPod touch, iPad 1 & 2, laptops, PCs, Macs and the Xbox 360 as well as being able to change one of their registered devices every month.  

From time to time you will find that specific shows or movies will be unavailable to view on Sky Go.  This is due to contractual obligations we have with certain 3rd party content providers.  We are constantly reviewing and re-negotiating our contracts with our partners in order to bring you more content and will continue to bring you updates as and when they become available.

Kind Regards
Ryan

[microcat36]

---

The number of devices you are able to register has been an on-going cause for discussion on the Forum and I’d like to address that again.  We are required to fulfil certain contractual obligations with our 3rd party content providers; this includes limitations on the number of devices our customers can watch their content on.  This is in place to protect distribution of content and fraudulent use.  
To minimise the impact of the device limits we have tried our best to ensure that our customers are able to access Sky Go on a wide range of devices which will soon include 10 smartphone models; iPod touch, iPad 1 & 2, laptops, PCs, Macs and the Xbox 360 as well as being able to change one of their registered devices every month. 

---

Was it Sky or the 3rd party content providers who asked for the limitations to be put in place, why only one change as people are being penalised through no fault of their own due to bugs in the Sky Go software that have been there since it's introduction and don't tell me the 3rd party content providers asked for only one change a month draconian policy to be implemented, this is purely a Sky policy .

Sky are just hiding behind blaming everyone else for problems of their own creation, sorry riand0 but you have written lots but said mostly nothing, the quicker youview is up and running for me the better as i am sick of Sky's condensing attitude to it's loyal customers.

[paul1360]

rian,

Thank you for taking the time to try and give us a bit more information, Although I beg to differ with some things you have said like before long android 4 OS will be out soon which will mean most of  the products will have the same OS. I am a bit amazed that other players that are around seem to work on all the android OS + apple IOS and Sky Go don't.

As for the devices me personally am ok with being only 2 but I also understand why people in this day & age want more and don't understand why sky can't see it but that's up to sky. Why sky will not allow more devices to be set higher and still only allow the use of 2 at any 1 time is beyond me.

As for the number of changes I'm sorry but I have to agree with microcat36 that the limit of 1 change per month only is nothing what so ever to do with 3rd party content providers but a sky policy. The reason I say this is because when sky go went live there was no problem as the number was unlimited subject to FUP and it stayed that way until 20th Oct 2011 and then Sarah W told us that it has changed to what it is now due to it being abused by a few people and so the rest of us has had to suffer because of these few. So you telling us something else now is a bit fishy and because of that do you need to wonder why your loyal customers are so upset.

iechyd da

[microcat36]

---

Hi upNdown,

I just heard back this minute.

Sky Go Android will not support ice cream sandwich when it is launched, however there are plans to develop the App to support it.

Sorry I couldn't give you the information you were looking for.

Thanks

Samantha-K
Sky Knowledge Advisor

---

Do Sky want to try and explain this

[paul1360]

I'm on tender hooks here waiting for the answer to this 1»»»»»»»is thinking who sky can blame for this mess that have not been blamed yet. There are not many left as the list is long and has been well used. This is going to be an  for sky if it's true.

iechyd da

[Malcolm-M]

Hi all, at launch Sky Go will be supported on the most commonly used Android operating systems 2.2 and 2.3 (approximately 85% of the market) and will be available on the seven most popular Android smartphones in the UK (see table below for supported device list at launch)*.

We are working hard to ensure we can support further Android devices, as well as the latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system (V4.0) but there are a number of technical considerations.  Content protection across all Sky Go devices is one of our top priorities and the DRM used to secure our content rights is of the highest industry standard. As Android is an open source platform all Sky Go releases are required to undergo rigorous testing and development when a variation of any operating system or new handset is launched.  As a result, operating system updates (either from your Network Operator or from the device manufacturer) may require a significant amount of work before Sky Go can support them.

We are also looking to support Android tablets in the future, but the lack of market penetration and the challenge of securing content rights for this device means that it is not currently on our immediate product release roadmap.  We will continue to review this position and bring you any updates as and when available.

Please note that if existing Sky Go users with V2.2 or 2.3 choose to upgrade to V4.0 they will not be able to stream content through the Sky Go app until the operating system can be fully supported.  In order to ensure that our rights' contracts are fully upheld we are also unable to support any Android devices that have been rooted.

* Android Smartphone device list supported at launch

HTC Desire

HTC Desire S

HTC Desire HD

HTC Incredible S

HTC Sensation

Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung Galaxy S2

[paul1360]

Malcolm-M,

Wow ok thank you for your post and for clearing up some points. So what you are saying then is anybody who have the phones need to turn their auto update of if they want to use the sky go app for android. Not sure that will go down very well. The time it's taken to release the app is beyond and then to you will have change this ney on from the start I'm lost for words. Where you got your numbers from i don't know as HTC phones are the 4th most used in the uk as from nov 2011. sony & nokia are ahead of them.

So once again people with tablets will miss out odd that since you made sure apple tabs were included and don't start on their next to nothing mzrket share in the uk.

Also it seems a bit unfair to your customers that if their phone/device is rooted you will not allow them to use the app, where as ipad's that have been jailbreaked is ok to use.

FYI

As of 26/01/2012 android market share in the uk has now risen to over 40% where as Apple's share has dropped to 52% and they can't get enough android tabs into the country fast enough alas this means that apple products are increasing as unsold.

iechyd da

[KingfisherUK]

So let's get this straight. To get Sky(No)Go on Android:

a) I must have one of only 7 handsets (not tablets) on the market, most of which are already end of life from the manufacturer perspective.

b) I cannot run the latest version of the MANUFACTURER supplied software/OS when they release it

c) I cannot root my device

So basically you're telling me what phone to get, what software to run on it and what I can and can't do with my device.

Since when did Apple own Sky?

Edit: Done some checking, it appears that with most providers, only the Desire S, Sensation and Galaxy S2 are "current" models available on new contracts. So that's less than HALF the supported models are available to new customers wanting Android. Nice forward thinking there.

[paul1360]

kingfisher,

now now i know you love sky really  As for your post yes sky is telling you what phones they will have an app for so you need to go and buy 1 before they release the app, Ah problem as ICS is just about to be released before sky sends the app out and best of all the money you just paid for your  new phone was wasted as the app will no longer work on your OS. Good or what, as i've already said whatever person set things up this way should be sacked as it's stupid beyond words. Yep no rooted devices but jailbreaked ipads are ok.

As for the checks you carried out you know they're correct and i do but sky will not. look at the figures in the post and then look at my a bit of a diff.

here we go again fun and games around the corner.

iechyd da

[microcat36]

Absolute farce yet Sky still try to defend their position on this, it's a total joke now.

Do you honestly believe your customers are dumb enough to swallow this or is it's just a case of keep on kicking them in the teeth till they can't take any more.

[KingfisherUK]

I do actually own an HTC Desire so I was pleased it is on the supported list.

However, when I saw that rooted devices won't be supported I was gutted. But we do now have a reasonably honest answer from Sky.

The "problem" is nothing to do with Android or hardware versions, it is ALL about DRM. They are terrified that if you have a rooted, modified or non-standard device you could bypass the DRM.

I'm sorry Sky, but determined and/or knowledgable people will ALWAYS find a way round DRM. Average people just want the service to work as advertised.

[android+fan]

all this thread tells me is skys total lack of understanding of customer base and android in general.You seem to give lots of information without actually answering any questions.So to help you along and try to make you aware why your proposed android release is ridiculous here goes My phone is a HTC desireHD,its on contract and my contract is up in April.The phone is rooted .My tablet is the ASUS epd transfomerand despite your comment" , but the lack of market penetration" android tablets are taking off big style .So my choices are keep my 18 month old phone and unroot it to use sky go,keep it unroot it and refuse its update to ICS to use it,or change my phone to a new model that neither the hardware or software (ICS) is supported.In fact sky could not have made a more user unfreindly app if they had set about with that aim.In short you have created an app that hardware wise is about 12 months out of date,software wise will be obselete on those devices listed by about May if owners upgrade there phones software.If i was synical would say its a way of releaseing an app for android while not impacting on apple.Netflix sure you are aware of them have launched in the UK,and release and android app that provides similar service across a wide range of android devices and softwares despite no doubt having the same so called DRM issues.To finish if 2 of you are going to post at least get your stories straight one says 60% coverage the other says 85% is it any wonder we dont trust anything you say

[KingfisherUK]

Completely agree about handsets. I've had my Desire for over 18 months and my contract is up in June. Admittedly, I'm happy to keep the Desire as, with a custom ROM, it performs perfectly for what I want and much better than stock. Also, by the summer any new phone will almost certainly come with ICS anyway. Why should I have to limit the capabilities of MY device (not Sky's equipment, ie. Sky box) to be able to use Sky's service(s).

I also have an Advent Vega tablet running a custom HoneyComb ROM. Took Sky about 6 months to get the Sky News app to work properly on HoneyComb, so I do wonder about the development team. (I digress).

I've seen plenty of apps that REQUIRE root to run. I don't think I've come across one yet that WON'T run with root access enabled. Root allows more to be done with the phone, not less.

As for DRM and licensing issues, surely BBC (iPlayer), Netflix and ITV Player all have licensing to deal with, yet their apps work.

Oh, to clarify the percentages: The seven phones that are to be blessed with the SkyGo app account for 60% of all handsets "out there". Android 2.2 (Froyo) & 2.3 (Gingerbread) account for the OS on 85% of all devices "out there".

[paul1360]

Just been thinking about something a few people have said about XDAdevelopers ( something like that ) on how after a couple of days after Sky release this app the xda guys will have it working on tabs and other phones.I know nothing about these people but if that is true how embarrassing will that be for Sky?

iechyd da

[schmike74]

I dont think it's case of it wont work on rooted phones, it's a case of it wont be supported from sky. That's obvious guys! the app is designed to work on certain devices with certain os, this applies to iphones as well as android handsets, if you modify this os in anyway then sky cant guarantee it will work and nor do they have the troubleshooting guides to help customers. I dont understand why you're all annoyed by this. This goes for any app on any device, the same as jailbreaking an iphone. Once the iphone is jailbroken if any apps dont work you wont get much help for troubleshooting so this is not android users being disadvantaged. You'll probably find it will run fine on custom roms.

Paul the xda guys wont have it working, what they'll do is offer the apk for download having stripped it of any drm so you'll be able to install it on any android device. They wont have modified the app to work on phones/tablets sky have been unable to. It's like I said on another thread here, the app will probably work on a number of other devices than those listed by sky but sky can't guarantee it will work 100%. The thing is any bugs you experience when downloaded from xda you'll be happy to accept as you've downloaded it from a 3rd party website but had you downloaded it from the android market then you'd be on here complaining about the poor quality app. Due to this it's only being launched for a select number of devices. Thats one of the main reasons if I'm honest I've stayed with my iPhone and have given up after a matter of weeks with android phones. The majority of apps are released for all handsets running os ver xxx and above but they are just so buggy! I have never had an app crash on my iphone but my android apps used to crash regularly. That is one of the problems with an open source os which is constantly being updated and a huge amount of different spec devices.