App Profile: Nebula.

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Rating: 2/5

Overall, I like Nebula and the platform’s creators. However, I’m running into a few issues with the iOS app that are fairly irritating. 1. The app logs you out if your device is connected to a wifi network that cannot access Nebula servers, such as wifi networks aboard planes used for in flight entertainment or free messaging. This makes it impossible to use the app while still being able to receive messages on a plane. 2. Controls for media that is being displayed on a seperate device via Google Cast are difficult to locate. In other apps, while your device is casting, the current queue and pause/play controls are still where they may be when you are watching the media on your device. However, Nebula returns you to the home screen after beginning a cast, and puts the controls behind a non-obvious cast button. It would be much more intuitive to have a Picture-in-Picture-like display of the thumbnail of the current video, with controls overlayed above it, and the ability to easily manage the upcoming queue, similar to other apps that support Google Cast. I really like the concept of Nebula, but it would be a lot more useful if these issues were fixed. Thank you!

ThePyroChemist

Rating: 4/5

I love this platform and what it’s about, I really do. Letting creators make what they want to make, without having to worry about the restrictions present on so many other platforms, it really leads to some high quality stuff. There is a level of care and value that I just haven’t gotten from any other service. However, I have one very big issue, and it’s recurring. See, I download nearly all of my videos onto my iPad ahead of time; I’m without signal/data more often than not. Being able to download the content and watch later is crucial for me. However, on 3 separate occasions, my downloaded videos just outright disappear. I am not running low on space on the iPad, and I am given absolutely no information as to why this happens, before or after. If I could only have videos downloaded for a certain amount of time, I could understand that. If I could only download so many, I get it. Yet, I have been given no reason whatsoever for this behavior by the app. If it were to be fixed, I’d gladly give 5 stars, because I love everything else. But when I open the app expecting my downloads to be there, when I’m away from the internet for several says at a time, and the downloads are empty, it’s nearly frustrating enough to make me want to delete the app altogether.

Cajun IT Guy

Rating: 5/5

I was one of the first people to subscribe to and download the Nebula app on iOS. The app was decent, but missed a few features I had come to rely on in YT. Notably, these were background listening and the ability to minimize the video window to find other content without closing. I’m happy to say, the background listening feature has been added, and although I’m still waiting for the minimized window, it’s not something that forces me to use the YT app (and continue paying for YT Premium, which I’m going to do regardless). I also like to scroll the comment section from time to time, but I understand the decision by the creators/devs to decide against or delay implementing that feature due to the technical, creative or even legal complexity and liability that may entail. One more thing: I’ve noticed a huge increase in the responsiveness of the app since last using it. So I say well done devs and creators, for banding together with a vision for increased freedom and ownership in your careers. I can personally say that the risk you took and all the hard work done will always be rewarded by me and all others who appreciate such displays of intelligence and character.