Quick Impressions: SuperTube v1.5

We've talked at length about SuperTube and its claim as the first 720p YouTube player for Windows Phone. But since then LazyWorm's YouTube apps have caught up in most features and beat SuperTube in design. Well Fast Code, the developers behind the project, are firing back with their latest v1.5 update. Highlights include a redesigned player with new playback controls, the ability to run videos under the lock screen, and the ability to watch and comment on videos simultaneously. Here's the full changelog from Fast Code themselves:

• Web video player has been redone, and add small screens model that allows you to write comments while streaming videos.
• The performance of video player was optimized completely, the video in 720P can be played smoothly. And the buffering indicator was added.
• Users can switch to full screen mode in 16:9 or 4:3.
• The sounds of the videos will be run on the lock screen after you set to run under lock-screen.
• After adjusting the sound, saves your sound settings until you close the program.
• Local video player adds ‘play all’ option.
• After playing all downloaded videos once, the sounds of the videos will be run on the lock screen
• It can play next video automatically.

We just took the update for a quick spin and we have to admit that the 720p is smoother with less artifacting. It's far from perfect and nowhere near the fluid playback of native 720p videos, but it's a step in the right direction. Besides that, many areas of the app have been redesigned with nicer graphics and icons. The ability to comment and watch is good so far, but it's slower than LazyWorm's implementation as of right now. One advantage it has is by showing the video in the same window as comments so you can still watch and comment, which LazyWorm's apps currently cannot do.

Fast Code has also released SuperTube Lite which is ad-supported and seems to be fully functional. Fast Code appears to be taking LazyWorm's strategy head on by offering HD video in a free version while the only HD-streaming app of theirs, LazyTube, remains a paid app. We still feel LazyWorm has done a better job thus far, but Fast Code is quickly catching up. Check out the full and lite versions of the apps by clicking on the tiles below.

SuperTube Fast Code $1.29 + Trial Version 1.5

SuperTube Lite Fast Code FREE Version 1.5