Mangler - Ventrilo for Android! [Exclusive First Look]
There is no official Ventrilo support for Android, or Linux for that matter, despite a project being "in the works" since 2005. But that hasn't stopped the open-source community from developing its own Ventrilo client. And this is exactly what a team of devs have been working on since September, 2009. Dubbed Mangler, Linux's first Ventrilo-capable client was born. Since then, Mangler has made great strides, eventually growing into a full-featured stable Ventrilo substitute for Linux. But, the question remained, would we ever see Mangler on Android? The same developers behind Mangler began to toying with an Android port of its open-source Ventrilo client in December, but after a few roadblocks, and the lack of a UI, the project was put on hold for awhile.
However, the project picked up steam as interest for an Android port in the community grew. And finally, on June 12th, the first alpha for Mangler was released to the public. Truly a monumental occasion! Since June 12th, and tons of bug fixes and feature implementations later, Mangler Android 1.0 alpha 4 was released on July 7th. I have had a chance to play with Mangler Android 1.0alpha 4 for a few days, and let me tell you, for an early alpha, it is was a pleasure to use. The UI is somewhat clunky, which takes getting used to, and the audio quality is a bit tinny. That being said, the latest release is very stable, and once you get the feel of the application, it is easy to navigate. Basic functionality does exist, including opening/disconnecting chats, listing/joining channels, perusing user lists, and a simple "push-to-talk" button (screenshot above). You can't ask more from an open-source Ventrilo client, considering an official client will likely never be released. You will find a few screenshots at the end of the article.
Mangler is self-described by its developers as:
If you're interested in helping out with the Mangler project, check out the original DroidForums post here, or check out Mangler's official webpage
Source Mangler.org
There is no official Ventrilo support for Android, or Linux for that matter, despite a project being "in the works" since 2005. But that hasn't stopped the open-source community from developing its own Ventrilo client. And this is exactly what a team of devs have been working on since September, 2009. Dubbed Mangler, Linux's first Ventrilo-capable client was born. Since then, Mangler has made great strides, eventually growing into a full-featured stable Ventrilo substitute for Linux. But, the question remained, would we ever see Mangler on Android? The same developers behind Mangler began to toying with an Android port of its open-source Ventrilo client in December, but after a few roadblocks, and the lack of a UI, the project was put on hold for awhile.
Mangler UI
However, the project picked up steam as interest for an Android port in the community grew. And finally, on June 12th, the first alpha for Mangler was released to the public. Truly a monumental occasion! Since June 12th, and tons of bug fixes and feature implementations later, Mangler Android 1.0 alpha 4 was released on July 7th. I have had a chance to play with Mangler Android 1.0alpha 4 for a few days, and let me tell you, for an early alpha, it is was a pleasure to use. The UI is somewhat clunky, which takes getting used to, and the audio quality is a bit tinny. That being said, the latest release is very stable, and once you get the feel of the application, it is easy to navigate. Basic functionality does exist, including opening/disconnecting chats, listing/joining channels, perusing user lists, and a simple "push-to-talk" button (screenshot above). You can't ask more from an open-source Ventrilo client, considering an official client will likely never be released. You will find a few screenshots at the end of the article.
Mangler is self-described by its developers as:
Ironically enough, the project's motto is: "No one should use our software… ever." The basis behind this motto is that Ventrilo in essence is not friendly to open-source. Even though Mangler is open-source, it serves to bridge the gap between Ventrilo servers and Linux/Android, thus making it dependent on closed-source protocols. With Mangler, there is no future plans to implement Ventrilo server functionality. Furthermore, there are full 100% open-source alternatives to Ventrilo, which is not the case with Mangler:
So, for those of you looking for a Ventrilo-compatible client for Android, make sure to check out Mangler. Expect to see full functionality on Android soon, as the Linux version is arguably a completely functional client. Whether you are a gamer, or are simply looking for a VoIP client, Mangler for Android may be for you! Do remember, the app is still in alpha, but as i previously stated, is rather stable, and would serve the needs of most people who are simply looking to connect to Ventrilo servers and chat. Mangler should be compatible with most 1.5-2.2 Android phones, with the exception of Samsung phones. If you own a Samsung smartphone (Galaxy S, Moment, Intercept, etc), and are interested in helping out, let the developer know!
If you're interested in helping out with the Mangler project, check out the original DroidForums post here, or check out Mangler's official webpage
Source Mangler.org
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