National Public Radio today has released their new NPR One app for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1. The app is universal, appearing to use the same code across both platforms. It is also very minimalist, modern, and well done.
NPR One is not your standard public radio app. Instead, it is a new effort by NPR to create a more "personalised" experience based on your preferences. You get a combination of live radio from your local radio station, in addition to suggesting programs. You can also search things you are interested in, and the service will begin to cater to your tastes.
Features include:
- A personalized stream of NPR and local station news and stories
- Skip, rewind, pause and share
- Search for your favorite shows, stations, and podcasts
- International, national, regional and local content
- A simple, intuitive interface
The app does require you to login, but luckily you can do that with either an NPR.org or Microsoft Account. Because of the latter integration, you get the feeling that Microsoft played a role here in the app's development.
NPR One is super clean with just a big play, pause, rewind and skip button. If you find something you like, just tap the "interesting" icon so the service can remember your preferences. You can also share the story through the new Share picker in Windows Phone 8.1.
Audio quality is excellent, and the tutorial, when you first launch the app, is smart. In short, this one of the nicest looking universal apps to come along yet. Both apps also feature a Live Tile to display the latest playing content.
Although Bank of America may be ending support for Windows Phone, the arrival of NPR One to both platforms certainly helps make up for it. The app launched on iOS back in May 2014, but at least it is here now on Windows Phone.
Note: Since NPR is a US-based and publicly funded organization, it is not clear how well the app will work outside of the US. We have been able to install and login from the UK, though, so if you're interested definitely take a look.
Via: Paul Thurrott
