This is a video app review of “SuperTube”, brought to you by the developer Fast Code. Version 1.3 was used for this review.

SuperTube is a YouTube viewer, similar in function to LazyTube. I will compare the two together quite often, as they seem to be direct competitors. SuperTube’s main difference is that it has the ability to download videos to your phone for offline viewing.

After the break, we’ll look at the included features and review the app.

From the developer:

The basic functions:

• Stream 720P, 360P videos from YouTube
• Download YouTube videos, and supports resume broken downloads
• Search all videos by relevance, published date, view count and rating
• Support Multi-Language (English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese) and Multi-region function
• Login YouTube account to view subscription and favorites
• Supports full-screen mode to watch videos
• Nearby video: view the videos near your location
• Like, Dislike button and Comment
• Share on Facebook and Twitter

Version 1.3 changes –

• Custom background
• Browse the videos with low quality
• Optimize the function of playing the video in HQ and HD by 3G connection
• Shortcut to SuperTube within the Zune Hub

All users of trial and full version can browse the videos in HQ and HD for free. Trial version contains advertisement, and limits users to download 3 videos successfully. Full version removes all advertisements, and allows users to download the videos without limit.

SuperTube has changed its UI considerably since the last couple releases. To be honest, it seems like they really tried to mimic the LazyTube interface. I can’t blame them, as it is an excellent interface.
The problem is, it doesn’t quite work as well. Nearly all the options to tweak your searches are available, but not terribly finger friendly. The pop up screen to change the time criteria leaves the “1 month” option unclickable.

Logging in with your YouTube account gives you all the features you need, including the ability to like/unlike, view your subscribed and favorited videos, and comment on videos. You can share videos with anyone through Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and Email.

The download feature definitely works. You can download at 360P or 720P if available. No in between “HQ” option is available. After a video is downloaded, you’ll need to click the back button several times to get to the main menu, swipe to the downloaded section, and then find your video to watch. This is very inconvenient. No, you cannot download videos in the background while typing an email or playing a game, but this is a limitation of Windows Phone 7. The developer can add this feature once Mango is released. Downloading can occur while browsing within the app, and even while watching a different video, which is convenient. Download resuming is supported.

Streaming or playing downloaded versions of 360P videos works great. However, a major issue occurs with playing 720P videos. It’s just plain choppy. Is it watchable? Yes, but it’s not terribly enjoyable. This is a huge problem. The developer has stated that video smoothness was improved, but I haven’t noticed any performance improvement.

Bottom Line:

Positives:

• Ability to download videos for offline viewing
• Full account options, including viewing subscriptions, favorites, commenting, and liking videos
• Decent performance while navigating within the app
• Download resuming is supported, if you need to leave the app for any reason

Negatives:

• Choppy 720P video
• A sometimes illogical user interface experience
• User interface not polished, with some lack of finger friendliness and an unclickable option
• No landscape support

Score: 6/10

Links:

SuperTube ($1.29 with Free Trial)