Web/Mobile App Critic: PlayStation Vue

One thing that has become very popular in recent years is streaming. So, for my Web/Mobile App Critique I chose to write about the streaming app that I use daily: PlayStation Vue. PlayStation Vue is an internet streaming television service run by Sony. Because of the high cost of cable, my family uses this service as our main form of watching cable television. One of the amazing things about this service is that contrary to what its name implies, you don’t have to have a PlayStation to use this service.

Some of the things that sets this app apart from regular cable television is that this app works on a multitude of devices. I can watch television on this app on my phone, PlayStation, tablet, Amazon Fire stick, and even our television itself. This makes the app very versatile. Another huge thing that sets it apart from cable television is that you can take it with you no matter where you go. For instance, we recently went on vacation out of state and were able to watch our PlayStation Vue in the hotel, at the pool, and even at families houses. While local networks can change when it notices you are in a new zipcode, the rest of your cable channels stay put which means you don't have to worry about missing your favorite games or shows. You just open the app anywhere you are and watch whatever you want! 

Play Station Vue Homepage

The screenshot to the right is of the home page when I open up the PlayStation Vue app on my phone. As you can see, the app has a suggestion that I should watch a life NFL and NCAA football game. These types of suggestions pop up with recommendations based on your viewing history. Above that there is an advertisement for a show. There are then simple options like changing settings, accessing my DVR library, and looking at the guide. 

PlayStation Vue Guide

The guide is extremely access to use. You can scroll both through the different channels, and throughout the different time windows available. Going backwards allows you to replay shows that are on demand and scrolling down will show what is coming on later. This works similarly to a cable guide and is self explanatory and easy to use. 

There are a few improvements that I think that PlayStation Vue could make to improve its app. The first is that their DVR service doesn’t always work well. Sometimes the recordings of shows don’t always work or won’t open up on the app. This usually fixes itself after a day or two, but I wish it was more streamlined. Having a DVR that works is extremely important and I don't think it would take much work to improve it since they already have a basis to work off of. 

Another feature that I believe Playstation Vue could really improve upon is their search function. It can sometimes be extremely difficult to find an upcoming television show. Currently, when searching you have to scroll through the days and hours until you find what you are looking for. I think that adding a functioning search option would create a more user-friendly experience. 

The last improvement I wish for is a better mode for when you don't have access to the internet. Streaming is extremely data heavy and I wish that there was an option to save shows from your DVR list to be watched when not on data. From my initial discussion post in class, this was a rather controversial suggestion. The reason that I wish for this option is that I travel a lot. I wish that I could save shows from my DVR temporarily so that I could watch them while on a long car ride or flying on an airplane. Other services have options where you can save music or even movies for usage when wifi is not available. I think that having this type of option would be extremely helpful.

Overall, I would say that PlayStation Vue is an incredibly easy and functional app to use. It is cheaper than cable, allows you to have sports or movie packages like cable has, and works fairly well. The app works well and other than the search feature is very user-friendly. In fact, my mother-in-law, who can’t figure out her cell phone is capable of navigating the app easily. I feel that for this reason PlayStation Vue is an app that is well worth it. I won’t be getting rid of it anytime soon.