Reviews of KQED: Bay Area Culture & News

By: KQED App

List of user reviews and ratings for KQED: Bay Area Culture & News

Total ratings

4.73 (Rating count: 824)

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Review summary

Users appreciate the app's consolidation of KQED programs and the availability of live streaming. However, multiple reviews highlight significant issues with frequent stream interruptions, app crashes, unreliable media controls, and intrusive repeated sponsor messages that disrupt listening. The app struggles with network switching, often replaying ads and cutting out content, which greatly frustrates users. While recent updates have added features without complicating usage, the live streaming and ad management need improvement to deliver a consistent and enjoyable listening experience.

Pros

App consolidates all favorite KQED programs in one place.
Live radio streaming is available directly through the app.
Recent updates added more features without complicating basic listening.
Ability to set app to open directly to live radio stream for quick access.

Cons

Frequent interruptions and cutting off of live stream audio during playback.
App often crashes or stops playing unexpectedly.
Sponsored messages and ads play repeatedly, disrupting listening experience.
App does not handle network changes smoothly, causing replays of sponsor messages and cutting audio.
Media controls are unreliable; e.g., play button may not function properly.
Timeline navigation and rewind features are inaccurate or buggy.
Bluetooth disconnections and audio pausing when notifications arrive.

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 2.90

All time rating average: 4.73

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55% (11)

Date	Author	Comment
2024-09-13	An*****	Recently (Summer 2024?), I have had to take a couple more steps to listen (deny running in the background, whatever that implies, sans ability to make the choice permanent). Also, an extra step is needed to get to an episode description. I would love to be able to copy the text, for notes.
Recently (Summer 2024?), I have had to take a couple more steps to listen (deny running in the background, whatever that implies, sans ability to make the choice permanent). Also, an extra step is needed to get to an episode description. I would love to be able to copy the text, for notes.
2024-07-19	Ma*****	I listen to kqed every morning before work and wish I could listen more! Most info is available on their website though, so if I hear that an interesting show is at a time when I can't listen, I visit the website later on my laptop. I rarely use the app on my phone - it takes too long to find the news I want.
I listen to kqed every morning before work and wish I could listen more! Most info is available on their website though, so if I hear that an interesting show is at a time when I can't listen, I visit the website later on my laptop. I rarely use the app on my phone - it takes too long to find the news I want.
2024-07-18	Ca*****	They've added a lot more functionality to the app since my first review. I haven't had any streaming issues or bugs as a result, which is great. And if all you want from the app is to listen to live radio, you can still do that easily. If you go to settings, then display, and set "Listen" as the page the app opens to, then live radio will be a single click away after starting the app. Overall, excellent job adding new stuff without complicating the simple activity of listening to the radio.
They've added a lot more functionality to the app since my first review. I haven't had any streaming issues or bugs as a result, which is great. And if all you want from the app is to listen to live radio, you can still do that easily. If you go to settings, then display, and set "Listen" as the page the app opens to, then live radio will be a single click away after starting the app. Overall, excellent job adding new stuff without complicating the simple activity of listening to the radio.
2024-04-25	Ja*****	Live streaming in the latest version STILL doesn't work right. The "back" icon says it goes back 10 secs while only going 2 or 3. Navigating via the timeline is also still a mess. I paused Forum for several mins, then started again. When the 11am show started, the screen changed to that title and showed a 0:00 timeline despite still playing Forum. When I tried to navigate, it stopped playing Forum and jumped to the next show. All my other streaming apps work fine. Why can't you get this right??
Live streaming in the latest version STILL doesn't work right. The "back" icon says it goes back 10 secs while only going 2 or 3. Navigating via the timeline is also still a mess. I paused Forum for several mins, then started again. When the 11am show started, the screen changed to that title and showed a 0:00 timeline despite still playing Forum. When I tried to navigate, it stopped playing Forum and jumped to the next show. All my other streaming apps work fine. Why can't you get this right??
2024-01-19	Yu*****	1/19/24 Update: still poorly engineered, nothing against KQED but the app is terrible on my Pixel 7 Pro. Constantly cutting off, disconnects from Bluetooth speaker, if I get a text message email It disrupts the stream. I've been streaming for the past hour and it's cut off almost every few minutes. I love KQED, I'm a sustaining member but I'm upset that I can't even stream it from my phone.
1/19/24 Update: still poorly engineered, nothing against KQED but the app is terrible on my Pixel 7 Pro. Constantly cutting off, disconnects from Bluetooth speaker, if I get a text message email It disrupts the stream. I've been streaming for the past hour and it's cut off almost every few minutes. I love KQED, I'm a sustaining member but I'm upset that I can't even stream it from my phone.
2024-01-10	To*****	I like this app, it has all my favorite KQED programs in one place. There is one problem with the app on Android. When I'm listening to a live stream and I receive a SMS notification on my phone that has sound, the app pauses and I have to manually restart the playback directly from the app. The media control from the KQED app has a play button, but that doesn't work.
I like this app, it has all my favorite KQED programs in one place. There is one problem with the app on Android. When I'm listening to a live stream and I receive a SMS notification on my phone that has sound, the app pauses and I have to manually restart the playback directly from the app. The media control from the KQED app has a play button, but that doesn't work.
2023-08-04	St*****	Ever since version 5.0.0 , I have had the feed drop off randomly and had spotty coverage. I go on aptoid and install specifically the 5.0 version. I suspect it's because they are trying to add commercials to the app itself or gather more information on me, and it's interfering with proper function. Also, it should be said that I had turned off automatic updates to prevent kqed from updating.
Ever since version 5.0.0 , I have had the feed drop off randomly and had spotty coverage. I go on aptoid and install specifically the 5.0 version. I suspect it's because they are trying to add commercials to the app itself or gather more information on me, and it's interfering with proper function. Also, it should be said that I had turned off automatic updates to prevent kqed from updating.
2023-06-12	Er*****	This app was really bad. The live stream would stop every few minutes, so I switched to using a different radio app because it was so frustrating. After approximately 6 months, I gave this kqed app a second chance, and it's much better now, but it still crashes occasionally. Usually once per listen, and It's still annoying so I'm going back to the other app.
This app was really bad. The live stream would stop every few minutes, so I switched to using a different radio app because it was so frustrating. After approximately 6 months, I gave this kqed app a second chance, and it's much better now, but it still crashes occasionally. Usually once per listen, and It's still annoying so I'm going back to the other app.
2023-06-06	Lu*****	Too much advertising and other annoncements every time you open it. Buffering issues are frequent and I'm on fiber optic. Far too many issues, I have to drop to 1 star. This app continues to disappoint every time I use it . Money for everything but an online presence that functions. Buffering issues continue on every platform. Continues to be plagued by buffering issues. They can build a new headquarters but can't fix issues like this. Fix it if you want support.
Too much advertising and other annoncements every time you open it. Buffering issues are frequent and I'm on fiber optic. Far too many issues, I have to drop to 1 star. This app continues to disappoint every time I use it . Money for everything but an online presence that functions. Buffering issues continue on every platform. Continues to be plagued by buffering issues. They can build a new headquarters but can't fix issues like this. Fix it if you want support.
2023-03-24	Ro*****	I have uninstalled this app for two reasons. One, is the sponsorship message in the beginning every show that I play causes me to miss out on part of the conversations and sometimes they're important parts of the conversations. Two and more importantly, The Apple just stop playing the show randomly for no reason at all. I've cleared the cache on the app many times. Nothing helps. It is extremely irritating that this is still continuing. Fix the app.
I have uninstalled this app for two reasons. One, is the sponsorship message in the beginning every show that I play causes me to miss out on part of the conversations and sometimes they're important parts of the conversations. Two and more importantly, The Apple just stop playing the show randomly for no reason at all. I've cleared the cache on the app many times. Nothing helps. It is extremely irritating that this is still continuing. Fix the app.