topic Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users in XPERIA archive

Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

RockPaperSpock — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:13:52 GMT

1) Album: Disappointed that you can't create folders, or move photos. Bizzare limitation. I use File Commander to get around this, is there a better way?

2) Movies: The first movie I tested (self-encoded h.264/aac/mp4) displays in the wrong aspect ratio, more like 4:3 than 16:9. VLC for Android plays the same video just fine. Is this a common issue?

3) Users: So, only tablets get restricted users? Is this ever going to implemented on smartphones?

4) Notifications: I have background data disabled and mobile data disabled permanently as this is a phone without need for mobile data. But now I have those notifications constantly cluttering my lock screen. Any way to permanently dismiss them?

5) Walkman: so, we've reached Android 5 and there's still no support for Album Artist tags? Every compilation album I have, and some single artist albums that have collaborators, list the album artist as whatever the Artist tag for the last song on the album is. Can't this be fixed?

D5803 with Lollipop 5.0.2.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

Uliwooly — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:26:15 GMT

@RockPaperSpock

You will need a file commander

How did you transferred the movie?

I agree that this should be implemented, I'll try to escalate this.

Which notifications? if possible provide screenshots

You sould contact the app developers

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Music/Walkman-Beta-Test/m-p/953659#U953659

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

RockPaperSpock — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:44:27 GMT

"How did you transferred the movie?"

I dragged-and-dropped into the Movies folder using Android File Transfer.

"I agree that this should be implemented, I'll try to escalate this."

Thank you for submitting this as feedback.

"Which notifications? if possible provide screenshots"

I was wrong about one of them, it could be dismissed. But the, "Background data restricted: Touch to remove restriction" is constantly displayed on the Lock Screen. In the following screenshot, it is the top notification:

"You sould contact the app developers"

I was led to believe this was actually a problem with Android, and not an app issue, but I'll post a thread there anyway. Thank you. EDIT: I didn't realise you needed a Google+ account to post there. I have no desire to create one. Could you please submit this question on my behalf? Thank you.

Cheers.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

Uliwooly — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:48:55 GMT

@RockPaperSpock

Will escalate that too. What if you use PCC or Media Go or Bridge (for mac) to transfer the movie?

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

MyAliasIsGary — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:27:06 GMT

@RockPaperSpock wrote:
1) Album: Disappointed that you can't create folders, or move photos. Bizzare limitation. I use File Commander to get around this, is there a better way?
2) Movies: The first movie I tested (self-encoded h.264/aac/mp4) displays in the wrong aspect ratio, more like 4:3 than 16:9. VLC for Android plays the same video just fine. Is this a common issue?
3) Users: So, only tablets get restricted users? Is this ever going to implemented on smartphones?
4) Notifications: I have background data disabled and mobile data disabled permanently as this is a phone without need for mobile data. But now I have those notifications constantly cluttering my lock screen. Any way to permanently dismiss them?
5) Walkman: so, we've reached Android 5 and there's still no support for Album Artist tags? Every compilation album I have, and some single artist albums that have collaborators, list the album artist as whatever the Artist tag for the last song on the album is. Can't this be fixed?
D5803 with Lollipop 5.0.2.

Lollipop 5.0.2

The first thing I noticed is that you're running an older version of the OS.

Current build on my phone is 23.4.A.1.200 (see separate point below about latest build 23.4.A.1.232).

Updating firmware might conceivably resolve app issues (e.g. odd behaviour in movies app), as later firmware almost always has more recent app versions on it. Having older firmware doesn't stop you downloading latest app versions, although they might not run on older firmware (thinking of gingerbread, etc).

Background data

However, disabling your background data may well affect Google play app, which might well affect your ability to update apps:

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1663315?hl=en

I see no reason why you need to turn off background data. You can switch off your mobile data connection and that will stop data use. If you are concerned about items syncing in background, you can disable auto sync by going into settings / accounts / menu / uncheck "auto-sync accounts".

Some apps may also update through the Sony What's New app. You'll need to check that app's settings to turn off auto updating (same goes for Google Play), if that's what you want to have control over.

So, you can dismiss notifications regarding your mobile data being off (swype left or right) but background data seemingly can't be dismissed. However, I see no need to turn off background data and it would interfere with google play app updating.

23.4.A.1.232

I've seen disturbing problems with this latest firmware.

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Z2/New-update-23-4-A-1-200/td-p/1039790/page/9

The thread admittedly was on the z2 forum.

I'd steer clear, until it becomes clearer how many users are adversely affected by the .232 update.

I found the earlier firmware - 23.4.A.1.200 - to be ok though.

Music App

This app is in continuous development. I'm on the beta group. I can tell you that current work is being performed on the ability to edit/download album art and tags but it's Work In Progress and certainly isn't a comprehensive tag editor. I'd recommend MP3tag, if you have a windows platform at your disposal. It's an excellent, free app and is comprehensive.

Regards,

Gary

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

Uliwooly — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:31:09 GMT

@RockPaperSpock @MyAliasIsGary

In Android Lollipop, Google has removed support for restricted profiles from devices with a dialer and support for phone calls.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

RockPaperSpock — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:18:40 GMT

@MyAliasIsGary wrote:
@RockPaperSpock wrote:
1) Album: Disappointed that you can't create folders, or move photos. Bizzare limitation. I use File Commander to get around this, is there a better way?
2) Movies: The first movie I tested (self-encoded h.264/aac/mp4) displays in the wrong aspect ratio, more like 4:3 than 16:9. VLC for Android plays the same video just fine. Is this a common issue?
3) Users: So, only tablets get restricted users? Is this ever going to implemented on smartphones?
4) Notifications: I have background data disabled and mobile data disabled permanently as this is a phone without need for mobile data. But now I have those notifications constantly cluttering my lock screen. Any way to permanently dismiss them?
5) Walkman: so, we've reached Android 5 and there's still no support for Album Artist tags? Every compilation album I have, and some single artist albums that have collaborators, list the album artist as whatever the Artist tag for the last song on the album is. Can't this be fixed?
D5803 with Lollipop 5.0.2.
Lollipop 5.0.2
The first thing I noticed is that you're running an older version of the OS.
Current build on my phone is 23.4.A.1.200 (see separate point below about latest build 23.4.A.1.232).
Updating firmware might conceivably resolve app issues (e.g. odd behaviour in movies app), as later firmware almost always has more recent app versions on it. Having older firmware doesn't stop you downloading latest app versions, although they might not run on older firmware (thinking of gingerbread, etc).
Background data
However, disabling your background data may well affect Google play app, which might well affect your ability to update apps:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1663315?hl=en
I see no reason why you need to turn off background data. You can switch off your mobile data connection and that will stop data use. If you are concerned about items syncing in background, you can disable auto sync by going into settings / accounts / menu / uncheck "auto-sync accounts".
Some apps may also update through the Sony What's New app. You'll need to check that app's settings to turn off auto updating (same goes for Google Play), if that's what you want to have control over.
So, you can dismiss notifications regarding your mobile data being off (swype left or right) but background data seemingly can't be dismissed. However, I see no need to turn off background data and it would interfere with google play app updating.
23.4.A.1.232
I've seen disturbing problems with this latest firmware.
http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Z2/New-update-23-4-A-1-200/td-p/1039790/page/9
The thread admittedly was on the z2 forum.
I'd steer clear, until it becomes clearer how many users are adversely affected by the .232 update.
I found the earlier firmware - 23.4.A.1.200 - to be ok though.
Music App
This app is in continuous development. I'm on the beta group. I can tell you that current work is being performed on the ability to edit/download album art and tags but it's Work In Progress and certainly isn't a comprehensive tag editor. I'd recommend MP3tag, if you have a windows platform at your disposal. It's an excellent, free app and is comprehensive.
Regards,
Gary

Sony's forum reply form doesn't make it easy to respond on a line by line basis, as I think is obvious from the replies I've already received, but let me try to answer point-by-point:

@MyAliasIsGary:

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I'm running 5.0.2, which is the version that came on my phone when I bought it. The reason for this is that I don't want to risk losing the ability to record both sides of incoming/outgoing calls without speakerphone using Total Recall. I took a risk buying this phone for this feature in the first place (despite literally months of research and posting questions - getting a clear answer on compatibility was impossible), and I'm reluctant to peform the upgrade to 5.1.1 until I'm confident it won't interfere with this. The devs of both the call recording apps I was considering have both expressed to me the fragility of this function as Android is updated, and I have no reason to doubt them. As things stand, there appears to be no compelling reason to upgrade, especially considering Stagefright still hasn't been completely blocked even in the most recent update.

As for background data&colon; Android scatters settings for important things, such as software updates, between so many apps that I'm going to leave this on. I did my best to disable what I could and still got caught out—and you've just alerted me to the fact that the What's New app has another update option I'll have to disable as soon as I'm done here… Frankly, I think as many barriers between myself and unexpected data usage, as well as unexpected updates and/or data sharing, the better.

Music/Walkman: I was led to believe by the devs of USB Audio Player PRO that the inability of their app, and now I see Sony's default music app, to properly report album artists was an Android OS issue and not down to how tags are used by ay individual app. This has nothing to do with my music being incorrectly tagged (it isn't, as testified to by its use on my iPod, iTunes and iPhones), but rather that Android simply seems to be ignorant of the Album Artist tag entirely. Perhaps you could confirm this conclusion in the beta group, and post back here, as I really have no use for a Google+ account—it's up to you.

I will get around to updating some of the stock apps individually, as I do notice they have updates available. But I was not under the impression, having read around, that some of these updates were advisable. The Walkman app update has been particularly slated for its sudden and irrevocable employment of a white theme rather than the purple people were accustomed to, and I think I'm going to avoid it for the time-being. I may update Album, but seeing as it doesn't fix the fundamental Folder Creation issue, I see no immediate reason to.

@@uliwooly:

Thanks for following up on that. I'm sure they have their reasons. Can't off-hand think of what they might be, but I'm sure there must be something. Shame, though.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

Uliwooly — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:27:15 GMT

@RockPaperSpock

In this case you will have to contact Google directly.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

MyAliasIsGary — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 17:27:57 GMT

@RockPaperSpock wrote:
@MyAliasIsGary wrote:
@RockPaperSpock wrote:
1) Album: Disappointed that you can't create folders, or move photos. Bizzare limitation. I use File Commander to get around this, is there a better way?
2) Movies: The first movie I tested (self-encoded h.264/aac/mp4) displays in the wrong aspect ratio, more like 4:3 than 16:9. VLC for Android plays the same video just fine. Is this a common issue?
3) Users: So, only tablets get restricted users? Is this ever going to implemented on smartphones?
4) Notifications: I have background data disabled and mobile data disabled permanently as this is a phone without need for mobile data. But now I have those notifications constantly cluttering my lock screen. Any way to permanently dismiss them?
5) Walkman: so, we've reached Android 5 and there's still no support for Album Artist tags? Every compilation album I have, and some single artist albums that have collaborators, list the album artist as whatever the Artist tag for the last song on the album is. Can't this be fixed?
D5803 with Lollipop 5.0.2.
Lollipop 5.0.2
The first thing I noticed is that you're running an older version of the OS.
Current build on my phone is 23.4.A.1.200 (see separate point below about latest build 23.4.A.1.232).
Updating firmware might conceivably resolve app issues (e.g. odd behaviour in movies app), as later firmware almost always has more recent app versions on it. Having older firmware doesn't stop you downloading latest app versions, although they might not run on older firmware (thinking of gingerbread, etc).
Background data
However, disabling your background data may well affect Google play app, which might well affect your ability to update apps:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1663315?hl=en
I see no reason why you need to turn off background data. You can switch off your mobile data connection and that will stop data use. If you are concerned about items syncing in background, you can disable auto sync by going into settings / accounts / menu / uncheck "auto-sync accounts".
Some apps may also update through the Sony What's New app. You'll need to check that app's settings to turn off auto updating (same goes for Google Play), if that's what you want to have control over.
So, you can dismiss notifications regarding your mobile data being off (swype left or right) but background data seemingly can't be dismissed. However, I see no need to turn off background data and it would interfere with google play app updating.
23.4.A.1.232
I've seen disturbing problems with this latest firmware.
http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Z2/New-update-23-4-A-1-200/td-p/1039790/page/9
The thread admittedly was on the z2 forum.
I'd steer clear, until it becomes clearer how many users are adversely affected by the .232 update.
I found the earlier firmware - 23.4.A.1.200 - to be ok though.
Music App
This app is in continuous development. I'm on the beta group. I can tell you that current work is being performed on the ability to edit/download album art and tags but it's Work In Progress and certainly isn't a comprehensive tag editor. I'd recommend MP3tag, if you have a windows platform at your disposal. It's an excellent, free app and is comprehensive.
Regards,
Gary
Sony's forum reply form doesn't make it easy to respond on a line by line basis, as I think is obvious from the replies I've already received, but let me try to answer point-by-point:
@MyAliasIsGary:
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I'm running 5.0.2, which is the version that came on my phone when I bought it. The reason for this is that I don't want to risk losing the ability to record both sides of incoming/outgoing calls without speakerphone using Total Recall. I took a risk buying this phone for this feature in the first place (despite literally months of research and posting questions - getting a clear answer on compatibility was impossible), and I'm reluctant to peform the upgrade to 5.1.1 until I'm confident it won't interfere with this. The devs of both the call recording apps I was considering have both expressed to me the fragility of this function as Android is updated, and I have no reason to doubt them. As things stand, there appears to be no compelling reason to upgrade, especially considering Stagefright still hasn't been completely blocked even in the most recent update.
As for background data&colon; Android scatters settings for important things, such as software updates, between so many apps that I'm going to leave this on. I did my best to disable what I could and still got caught out—and you've just alerted me to the fact that the What's New app has another update option I'll have to disable as soon as I'm done here… Frankly, I think as many barriers between myself and unexpected data usage, as well as unexpected updates and/or data sharing, the better.
Music/Walkman: I was led to believe by the devs of USB Audio Player PRO that the inability of their app, and now I see Sony's default music app, to properly report album artists was an Android OS issue and not down to how tags are used by ay individual app. This has nothing to do with my music being incorrectly tagged (it isn't, as testified to by its use on my iPod, iTunes and iPhones), but rather that Android simply seems to be ignorant of the Album Artist tag entirely. Perhaps you could confirm this conclusion in the beta group, and post back here, as I really have no use for a Google+ account—it's up to you.
I will get around to updating some of the stock apps individually, as I do notice they have updates available. But I was not under the impression, having read around, that some of these updates were advisable. The Walkman app update has been particularly slated for its sudden and irrevocable employment of a white theme rather than the purple people were accustomed to, and I think I'm going to avoid it for the time-being. I may update Album, but seeing as it doesn't fix the fundamental Folder Creation issue, I see no immediate reason to.
@@uliwooly:
Thanks for following up on that. I'm sure they have their reasons. Can't off-hand think of what they might be, but I'm sure there must be something. Shame, though.

@hi @RockPaperSpock

Lollipop and Total Recall
So the devs have said that upgrading to 5.1.1 will break their app?

I'd have thought it's their responsibility to make their app compatible. I've already had this with an app that I used (sleep as android) - the dev blamed lollipop for not permitting them to enable silent mode. They said this issue affected all 3rd party alarm apps. I tried a 3rd party alarm app, which worked perfectly. Sometimes the methods that apps use for functionality turn out to be cul-de-sacs. It's up to them to come up with better solutions.

I've briefly looked at total recall and can see it's pretty popular - surely though there are other apps that 'work' fine on lollipop?

Also, bear in mind that OS updates fix a multitude of bugs and hopefully bring increased stability & security. Additionally, you might even find that apps that didn't work properly might become more reliable, as system bugs are fixed.

Background data and updates
I think you're overstating the situation somewhat? What's New updates certain Sony apps. This is Sony's choice and particular to Sony (although it's possible other handset manufacturers use similar, non google play distribution methods for their own apps). It's annoying but we're stuck with it. Google Play handles all apps held in google's app repository. Configuring this to your liking will allow you to manage virtually all android app updates (and related data usage from downloading updates, although this won't stop apps possibly making use of a data connection, if, for example, we're talking about a weather app, that has to download current content). System updates are OS related updates. Account syncing manages certain apps that sync in the background. That's 4 locations and literally about 1-2 minute to configure settings to your liking. It also, more importantly, gives you visibility and choice about whether you update an item, which I get the impression is of importance to you. I'm happy to direct you to these specific settings, if that would assist you.

Disabling background data only affects mobile data. You will have to disable auto-updates to apps (and anything else) to prevent them occurring over wifi. If you turn off mobile data, no updates will occur (through that route anyway) because your mobile data is switched off. You really don't need to disable background data (as far as I can see), if your mobile data is switched off. By default I think, OS upgrades (e.g. 5.0.2 to 5.1.1 lollipop) occur automatically over wifi, so if you wish to prevent system updates occurring, you will still need to configure system updates i.e. drill in the settings.

Updates bring stability improvements/bug fixes. They are to be recommended. However, as you say, using the Music app as an example, they can bring functionality changes too. I personally don't like the white theme in the Music app and have seen plenty of people disliking it too. I would not be surprised if alternative themes are made available soon. It's a bit of Marmite choice. Also, I've seen lots of posts on the Music app beta group moaning about theme modifications and other cosmetic alterations. As a dev I think you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

In summary, I would have thought it would be in your interests to go to the 4 sets of settings that I've mentioned and configure accordingly, as turning off background data will not stop stuff updating automatically over wifi. Also, this will give you the control over changes to your system, particularly as you are concerned about OS changes affecting your use of Total Recall.

Album artists
I’m not sure what you’re referring to, in regard to album artists not being reported properly. Mine are reported fine using the Music App. Could you provide more detail?

Regards,

Gary

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

RockPaperSpock — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:14:23 GMT

@MyAliasIsGary:

I must confess I'm not liking your tone. I'm going to do you the courtesy of responding one last time.

1) Given the importance of being able to record calls, and the lack of any compelling reason to upgrade to 5.1.1, I'll stick with 5.0.2 for the timebeing. You cool with that?

2) Given the importance of maintaining a tight rein on my data usage, I'll use any and all features available to limit this wherever possible. Is this acceptable?

3) When listing my music by album on my old Android phone running 4.4.2, using the stock player or USB Audio Player Pro, and also on my current Z3C using the stock player, the artist listed on the line below the album title is _always_ determined by the contents of the Artist tag on the last track of that album. Given this flaw exists across two different device manufacturers (both major players in the Android smartphone field), three different apps and two different versions of Android, and given a dev has openly declared to me in an email that Android is the cause, it's by no means unreasonable for me to conclude that Android is, in fact, the cause.

I'm done with justifying myself to a stranger. I consider this thread closed.

Re: Niggles with Notifications, Album, Music, Movies and Users

MyAliasIsGary — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:46:53 GMT

@RockPaperSpock wrote:
@MyAliasIsGary:
I must confess I'm not liking your tone. I'm going to do you the courtesy of responding one last time.
1) Given the importance of being able to record calls, and the lack of any compelling reason to upgrade to 5.1.1, I'll stick with 5.0.2 for the timebeing. You cool with that?
2) Given the importance of maintaining a tight rein on my data usage, I'll use any and all features available to limit this wherever possible. Is this acceptable?
3) When listing my music by album on my old Android phone running 4.4.2, using the stock player or USB Audio Player Pro, and also on my current Z3C using the stock player, the artist listed on the line below the album title is _always_ determined by the contents of the Artist tag on the last track of that album. Given this flaw exists across two different device manufacturers (both major players in the Android smartphone field), three different apps and two different versions of Android, and given a dev has openly declared to me in an email that Android is the cause, it's by no means unreasonable for me to conclude that Android is, in fact, the cause.
I'm done with justifying myself to a stranger. I consider this thread closed.

Sorry you feel that way.

Was trying to communicate best practice, which is normally to keep system updates as current as possible.

Updating apps runs similarly, although I do check changelogs to know what an update helps with.

I do appreciate wanting to stick with a good product and if Total Recall is that, then fine. However, sometimes circumstances change and you might be forced into using alternatives.

Finally, regarding background data, fair enough. Your choice. I absolutely respect your desire to control your data usage. I am the same. I only turn on data when I require it. However, you are using an additional blanket change, which I believe is unnecessary, if you simply turn off your data connection (as you have done).Turning off background data won't prevent a system update to 5.1.1 (i don't think anyway) or app updates which could occur over wifi (I've tested this and was able to update an app via google play over wifi, even with background data disabled). You made it clear that you were concerned about controlling data usage and updates, as that could bring unwelcome changes or a loss of functionality, hence my advice.

Overall, your messages communicate you want to have good control over changes that could occur to your handset software. Reviewing and configuring the settings I listed will enable you to do this.

Regarding your issues with artist tags, I've just tested what you've described and can't replicate it. I took the last track in a track numbered album and changed the artist tag, both using the Music app and then using external tagging software. Neither of these changes resulted in the album artist being described differently, when viewing by album (at least in the Music app). Perhaps it is a problem with android's media database and/or the Music app. However, as you've not updated them to the latest versions, it's difficult to tell whether the problem is down to using an older version. It is perplexing though that you have a consistent issue with this, over your music library. My only suggestion would be to completely delete all tags in an album, just to test, using software such as mp3tag and re-write them. I've experienced the odd bit of tagging weirdness and the only way I cleared this was to delete all tags (as there are different ID3 tag standards) and start afresh. Given you might be using a USB DAC, perhaps it's an issue with lossless (if you're an audiophile you might be using this)? I've only tested with an MP3 track.

Good luck anyway.

Regards,

Gary

Albums looping despite this option being turned off

RockPaperSpock — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 16:11:15 GMT

Every album I listen to in the stock Music app loops to the first track as soon as the last track finishes. I've confirmed that looping is disabled.

Is this supposed to happen?

Re: Albums looping despite this option being turned off

Uliwooly — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 16:14:23 GMT

@RockPaperSpock

You can disable it, shuffle rw play ff repeat > make sure that the last option its disabled

Re: Albums looping despite this option being turned off

Uliwooly — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 16:49:41 GMT

@RockPaperSpock

Check the forum guidelines http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Welcome/Discussion-guidelines/m-p/349678#U349678

also, you can contact the app developers directly

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Music/Walkman-Beta-Test/m-p/953659#U953659

or Sony directly

http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/contactUs/