Jasmine YouTube Client Review – A gem of a YouTube client
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Morrissey Exchange Pty Ltd
Version #: 1.0.3
Date Released: 2012-10-26
Developer: Jasmine Support
Price: Free
User Rating:
Loading...
When Apple removed the built in Youtube app Google was quick to fill it with a new app that was in most ways an improvement over the original. While this was going on, a small time developer by the name of Jason Morrissey had released a third party Youtube client known as Jasmine. Jasmine, named after his daughter, touted many features that were unseen on the official clients. Auto background audio when you left the app, skip forward and back buttons, but since then, it appears Google has not taken kindly to these advanced features, and has had them removed. Is Jasmine still a good app to get, or has this gem been shoved into a bag, never to be appreciated again?
Jason’s claim to fame on the iOS is his Readit client called Alien Blue which makes navigating and following threads on Readit a breeze. For those who use Alien Blue, Jasmine will feel right at home. The interface is responsive and intuitive with the items that are most used right up in front with the exception of the subscription feed. This is buried under the subscriptions and while the official client has this list right out in front, it would be nice to have the option to bring it to the front page if you want.
Jasmine is a full featured client that gives you commenting and control over your playlists. Videos are played in the usual iOS player and not within the Jasmine interface when in portrait mode like Google’s app. While the audio does not keep playing when you leave the app anymore, you can still activate the audio from the multitasking drawer.
It is unfortunate that Jasmine suffers under the whim of Google when it comes to features that are not standard. Perhaps in the future the developer will be able to innovate in other ways to make Jasmine even more unique. As it stands, the biggest way Jasmine excels over the standard client is with its parenting controls. This is an IAP that is really there to give users a way to support the app is they want to. The parenting controls let you filter certain playlists as well as restrict content that can be searched for. Even if you don’t have a need for parenting controls, Jasmine is a free alternative to the standard client and one that you may find a better fit for you.
Quick Take
Value:High
Would I Buy Again:Yes
Learning Curve:Easy
Who Is It For:Users that want an alternative to Google's client
What I Like:Better controls over video quality. Parental controls.
What I Don't Like:Some of its earlier features were taken away by Google.
Final Statement:For a gem of a Youtube client, try Jasmine.
ipad ? Retina iPad ? iPhone 5 Ready ?
Features:
- Smooth and responsive interface
- Night theme & dimming support for browsing in low light
- Full support for managing playlists
- Remembers your position when returning to long videos
- Parental Controls to curate content and restrict video discovery (PRO)
- Browse and discover channels
- Post comments and replies
- Aggressive filtering for comment spam and channel promotions
- Supports AirPlay
- Share videos via Twitter & Facebook
Screenshots
Article By Nathan Kline
Nathan has been an avid Apple user and advocate since the days of the Apple ][. He has always sought to find new ways to make use of technology to assist his daily life. As a paramedic in southern California Nathan brings his familiarity with technology to the field, and at whatsoniphone.com he brings his critical thinking to he analysis of apps and news. You has also written app reviews for the mobile app site Smokinapps.com.
nathan-kline has written 110 awesome app reviews.
