# Kernel — Chapter summaries, read aloud

> Chapter summaries, read aloud (iPhone/iPad app by Joshua Trommel.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernel/id6792376485 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Joshua Trommel](https://appshunter.io/developer/6779522177)
- Category: Books
- Price: $0.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-08-10
- Data updated: 2026-10-31

## What is Kernel?

Chapter summaries of the books you read.

You finish a book and a month later you remember one idea. Kernel keeps the rest. Every chapter, in plain words, readable in a minute.

Open a book and see its chapters. Open a chapter and read it, or press Listen and hear it explained by two hosts while each word lights up as it is read.

Your summaries are yours. They live in your account, sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web, and deleting your account deletes all of it.

Sign in with Apple or email. Share any summary with a link.

## Is Kernel safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Kernel.

## Is Kernel legit?

Kernel appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Kernel is 65 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.


## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.0 — 2026-10-30

Bookrank is now Kernel. A new gold look and our own typeface, a short welcome for first-time readers, and one narrator who explains each chapter. After you update, sign in once. If you use email, reset your password once.

### 1.2.1 — 2026-10-21

Fixes a bug where switching books mid-listen could save the wrong book's chapter into another book.

### 1.2.0 — 2026-10-11

Your Goodreads shelves live under your summaries now: currently reading, read, and want to read, folded, newest first, with your stars and the month. A mini player on every screen keeps pause, speed and chapter controls one tap away, and says which voice is speaking. Natural voices work again from the app. Mac: a three column window, books, chapters, text.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-10-05

Every book now gets a cover. Missing ones are found and saved for you. Plus a daily review nudge, an Appearance setting, search, and steadier Listen.

### 1.0.5 — 2026-10-03

Search your summaries by title or by anything in the text. Export everything as markdown files. Listen keeps playing with the screen locked, in natural voices, and the page follows the word being read through long paragraphs. Link your Goodreads profile to see your photo, favorite genres and the books you have read but not summarized. Your shelf and covers work offline. A new navy and amber look.

## Apps similar to Kernel

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Rafım: AI Bookshelf Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rafm-ai-bookshelf-tracker/id6762799028) | — | Free | Books |
| [Audiobooks HQ - audio books](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiobooks-hq-audio-books/id632306630) | 4.6 (6,809) | Free | Books |
| [NetGalley Shelf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgalley-shelf/id1499581600) | 2.1 (87) | Free | Books |

## More apps by Joshua Trommel

- [Epiphany](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epiphany/id6779522175)
- [Talli](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talli/id6782366555)
- [Notate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notate/id6782604262)
- [NYC Survive](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-survive/id6782618198)
- [Lexly](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lexly/id6783501611)
- [Thinkpond](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinkpond/id6785162492)

All apps by Joshua Trommel: https://appshunter.io/developer/6779522177

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-31.*