WBUR

There is some great functionality upgrades in new update, such as not auto-pausing when switching Bluetooth source, and holding in cache programs once they conclude. My biggest complaints are bugs in the skip back and ahead functions, and it’s energy consumption. Frequently I hit back 10 seconds to repeat something and it brings me to a completely different part of the show. Also, streaming live, on wifi or network, just rips through my fairly new, healthy battery, about 25% of battery per hour. That said, I love NPR, WBUR, and the ability to pause and rewind live programming has transformed my morning ritual.

*** Edit: issues resolved- thank you! Previous 2 star review: Loved the old app and much preferred it over my other 2 NPR apps. Wish I had never updated. Now it freezes every time I try to use the 15 second rewind or pause buttons, then I need to close the app, then re-open and have to listen to the opening plea for money over and over again. Really frustrating!

The version that came out about May 15, 2023 works about as well as the version from years ago, which is very good. It was disturbing to hear the on-air people recommending the new app, which was Much Worse As other reviewers recently wrote, the older version was much better. I am really sorry I updated and I wish I could go back. I can’t find the sleep function, if it is still there. It is especially bad to hear the start-up underwriting announcement yet again after a brief interruption when I am listening to a story. (Yes, I can go back, unlike the GBH app.) Trying to locate the right place in a program is much harder in the new app. Too hard! Why? Why did I trust the on-air advice to update? Who thought this was better?