Tubular finally makes it to public beta

For a fair while, the future of Tubular -- a YouTube-downloading, converting and playback app -- has been in doubt. After a pre-order way back in 2006 to get in on the private beta, the application (and pre-purchasers) haven't really been given the love that they deserve, with the developer seemingly disappearing for swathes of time, giving less than intermittent updates on the Tubular blog.

Today, however, pre-purchasers received an email that a public beta has finally arrived, and that the application will indeed continue to move forward. The developer has committed to fully updating users on the progress of their purchase, and has held up his hands and apologised for the lacking development that pre-purchasers experienced over the last 15 months or so.

While we're pleased to hear that Tubular is still alive (and that customers are going to get the wares they've paid for) we can't help but feel that right now it's entering a particularly busy and well-represented market. With apps such as the long-established TubeSock ($15), CosmoPod and new (free) hard-hitter Tooble leading the pack, Tubular may be alive -- but it looks as though it'll have a struggle ahead of it.

Thanks to all those that sent this in!