Amazing with audiobookshelf
Works really really well. Had zero issues with self hosts audiobokshelf. Just pay up and enjoy unlimited downloads on your iPhone.
One of my most-used apps
For starters, let me be clear that this app doesnβt actually host any audiobooks. It is for connecting to a Jellyfin and/or AudioBookShelf service that you already have set up. If youβre not sure what that means, this app probably isnβt for you, (or maybe you just googled it and found a new project!) Either way, donβt expect this to connect to a paid service like Audible, because that is not what itβs designed to do.
With that being said, if you already have an audiobook/podcast server ready to go, this is one of the best audiobook apps I have found. I have used several, and this one has basically everything I could want. It automatically syncs listen history to my server, allows me to download books for offline listening (handy for when Iβm at work or have spotty data coverage), and has a lot of configurable options to really make the app your own. Everything from adjusting which playback speeds are available, to how far the reverse/fast-forward buttons jump.
Because of this app, my audiobook activity has skyrocketed. I went from ~10 hours of listening per month to over 80. In the car, doing chores, running errands, etc⦠All of them have this app open now.
The dev is responsive on Discord, and has been working on a complete 2.0 rework (currently in beta on TestFlight, as of me writing this) that adds a feature I have been anticipating. The current AppStore version is a solid 4.5 stars, while the current beta version is a solid 5.
It also has an Apple Watch version, though I havenβt used it so I canβt really comment on that. But I wanted to note it, since I know lots of people prefer using their watch for things like listening while working out.
With that being said, if you already have an audiobook/podcast server ready to go, this is one of the best audiobook apps I have found. I have used several, and this one has basically everything I could want. It automatically syncs listen history to my server, allows me to download books for offline listening (handy for when Iβm at work or have spotty data coverage), and has a lot of configurable options to really make the app your own. Everything from adjusting which playback speeds are available, to how far the reverse/fast-forward buttons jump.
Because of this app, my audiobook activity has skyrocketed. I went from ~10 hours of listening per month to over 80. In the car, doing chores, running errands, etc⦠All of them have this app open now.
The dev is responsive on Discord, and has been working on a complete 2.0 rework (currently in beta on TestFlight, as of me writing this) that adds a feature I have been anticipating. The current AppStore version is a solid 4.5 stars, while the current beta version is a solid 5.
It also has an Apple Watch version, though I havenβt used it so I canβt really comment on that. But I wanted to note it, since I know lots of people prefer using their watch for things like listening while working out.
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Great
Works much better than the official Audiobookshelf app.
Great When it Works
Like the title says, itβs great when it works, but every other week I run into a playback issue whether when streaming a book or playing one that Iβve downloaded to my device. I have to delete and reinstall the app to clear it; that usually works so to restore playback. Using it with audiobookshelf.
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Good but buggy
Clean interface and good audiobookshelf integration. Really struggling with the app retaining positions accurately on my 17 Pro though. The βgo back x seconds after interruptionβ setting does whatever it wants regardless of my setting, and if I pause from the lock screen widget the playtime continues incrementing even though audio starts. Ending a timer from my Apple Watch while a book is playing seems to cause a random increment of 1-5 minutes. This is all with a downloaded local book, so not even a connectivity concern with my audiobookshelf server. Iβll be looking for another option despite paying for this one - keeping accurate positions, always, is my highest priority requirement for an audiobook player.
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