Karaoke Buddy beta

Join the Karaoke Buddy Android app beta!

Hey folks, I need Android users to download and try out the Android app for two weeks. This is a requirement from Google to be able to get on the Google Play store. Thanks a bunch.

  1. You have to join the Google Group for access:
    https://groups.google.com/g/karaoke-buddy-tester

  2.  Join on the web: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.corrado.karaoke_buddy

    Or Join on your Android device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.corrado.karaoke_buddy

What is Karaoke Buddy?

It's an app to bring folks together to sing some songs.

Imagine you are a karaoke fan and you land in a new city, looking for a place to sing on a Tuesday. Or you have that friend who always wants to sing after a couple margaritas. Or your work gathering is winding down and you need a new fun place to go. What do you do?

You could ask around or try to find the events page of some local spots on social media and you might get lucky.

Or you could use Karaoke Buddy. Open it up, find a Karaoke spot nearby, and you are on the way to a great night.

Here's what's ready so far:

  • Karaoke hosts can create their parties via the app. Premium users can create public parties. Anyone can create private ones.

  • Submit your song and the host can approve it.

  • Hosts maintain the song list. They can reorder songs, deny a requested song, or add a song for someone who didn't use the app. The hosts play their music with their existing setup, we don't want to change what's working.

  • Built in sharing to every party: there's a button on the top right for easy access to notify your friends of where you are singing.

  • Tip your host dialog is optional, but available if you would like to encourage singers to tip your host.

The idea is simple, but imagine the possibilities! Push notifications are coming soon, so the host doesn't have to track down whose next.

What should I do in the app?

I created a beta test party that will last for the next few weeks. Join the party, request a song. You can also create private parties. Let me know what you think.

How often should I test?

Every couple days would be great! Google doesn’t tell us much about the details of this process, but they will deny the application to the Google Play Store if they determine the app isn’t ready. So please sign in when you have some time and all feedback is welcome. I will be fixing bugs and pushing updates as needed.

I want to be a premium user!

Premium users are able to create public parties that are visible on the map, but anyone can join parties. Anyone can sign up to Premium via the app. Email mark@corradocode.com for a promo code for a free premium upgrade for the duration of the beta + 12 months after the app goes live for anyone who participates in the beta.

What about iOS?

Find the app in the App Store!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/karaoke-buddy/id6749784825

Key Feature Implementations

This project showcases expertise in implementing the complex features that modern mobile users expect.

  • Real-Time Geolocation & Mapping:

    • Integrates the Google Maps Flutter plugin to display an interactive map of karaoke parties.

    • Utilizes the Geolocator package to access the device's GPS for features like the "My Location" button and the "Nearby Parties" filter, which performs client-side distance calculations.

    • Map markers and info windows are custom-styled to match the app's branding and theme (light/dark mode).

  • Real-Time Data Synchronization:

    • The song queue is powered by a Firestore stream. When a host reorders the list, approves a song, or removes a singer, the changes are reflected instantly on every participant's device without needing a manual refresh. This creates a seamless, interactive experience.

  • Monetization with In-App Purchases:

    • A premium subscription model is implemented, allowing users to unlock the ability to host public parties.

    • The implementation securely validates purchase receipts (e.g., from Apple's App Store or Google Play) using a Cloud Function, which then sets a custom user claim in Firebase Auth. This ensures that a user's "premium" status is a secure, server-authoritative property.

  • Robust User Authentication:

    • Provides a seamless sign-in/sign-up flow with multiple providers, including native integrations for Sign in with Apple (iOS) and Google Sign-In (iOS/Android), handling all necessary token exchanges and security nonces.