HTML5 tag on Android for PhoneGap application

PhoneGap is a software development framework by Adobe System, which is used to develop mobile applications. PhoneGap produces apps for all popular mobile OS platforms such as iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile OS etc.

HTML5 Audio support is not consistent across different devices due to codec licensing issues and OS implementation. For playing MP3 files, this can be handled by using PhoneGap's Media class that provides reliable audio programming across all platforms.

Using PhoneGap Media Class

The Media class provides audio recording and playback functionality. Here's how to implement basic audio playback:

// Create Media object
var my_media = new Media(src, onSuccess, onError, onStatus);

// Play audio
my_media.play();

// Pause audio
my_media.pause();

// Stop audio
my_media.stop();

// Release resources
my_media.release();

Example: Playing MP3 File

document.addEventListener('deviceready', onDeviceReady, false);

function onDeviceReady() {
    // Audio file path
    var src = '/assets/audio/sample.mp3';
    
    // Create Media instance
    var media = new Media(src, 
        // Success callback
        function() {
            console.log("Audio playback finished");
        },
        // Error callback
        function(err) {
            console.log("Audio error: " + err.message);
        }
    );
    
    // Play the audio
    media.play();
}

Low Latency Audio Plugin

For applications requiring audio preloading and polyphony (layering multiple sounds), you can use the LowLatencyAudio PhoneGap native plugin. This plugin is particularly useful for games and interactive applications.

// Preload audio file
window.plugins.LowLatencyAudio.preloadFX('click', 'sounds/click.mp3', 
    function(msg) {
        console.log('Audio preloaded: ' + msg);
    }, 
    function(msg) {
        console.log('Error: ' + msg);
    }
);

// Play preloaded audio
window.plugins.LowLatencyAudio.play('click');

Key Considerations

When implementing audio in PhoneGap applications:

• Test audio formats across target devices for compatibility
• Use appropriate file formats (MP3, OGG, WAV) based on platform support
• Handle audio interruptions (incoming calls, notifications)
• Always release Media resources to prevent memory leaks

Conclusion

PhoneGap's Media class provides a reliable cross-platform solution for audio playback, while the LowLatencyAudio plugin offers enhanced features for interactive applications requiring immediate audio response.