NetGalley Shelf

Audiobook seems to take a while to download - longer than other apps - but not too bad. Audio sounds overly distorted when reading at a faster speed (e.g. 1.25x and faster), which can be disconcerting. Also, app tends to freeze when starting a new chapter; the timer keeps going but no sound is heard, and the problem is only fixed when the app is closed and reopened, which is inconvenient (and dangerous when driving). Conveniently, the app does faithfully recall the last location listened to when opened back up. Note: I have an iPhone that has the latest software update (NetGalley recommends 13.0 or later, which I have).

response required

I downloaded this to listen to a review copy of an audio book, but discovered you cannot listen to them sped up without awful distortion (it sounds like a robot or someone talking through a box fan). The audio books also freeze after every chapter, forcing you to close and reopen the app, which completely breaks immersion in the story. Downloading the audio was also a pain. If my screen went to sleep, the download stopped. If I tapped or bumped my screen at all, the download stopped. If the app was minimized or interrupted in any way, the download stopped. It took 20+ min to download one book, and I had to turn my screen to never go to sleep and was unable to use my phone the whole time it was downloading. The only reason to use this app (I use my kindle to read DRCs) was to access the review copy of an audio book, but the app is unusable in the regard. I’m very disappointed!

Audiobooks take an unusually long time to download and do not continue to download in the background, so they monopolize your device for upwards of a half hour until you can use the device or listen to the book. Has options for increased listening speed, but caused an oddly digital sound, even at 1.25, which is unusual as most audiobook and podcast players players can manage that without too much sound distortion. EBooks don’t always save your place, often reopening 5-10 pages behind last read position if you leave the app and return later. Seems to be some sort of delay? Otherwise a pretty convenient app.

I love the idea of the app. I don’t have an issue with the audiobooks like other people have mentioned. I have an iPhone, maybe that’s why. My problem is that I have books on my shelf that go back to 2017! I have long ago provided feedback on those. I can’t get them to go away. The option of pressing down to delete them doesn’t work. It’s a small thing, but it irritates me as it seems like I have more books to review than I do. Being able to sort them out by date of release would be nice and helpful as well.

I am an avid audiobook listener so having an app was lovely. I also had issues with getting the books to download, but once the WiFi connection was sting it seems to load quickly. My problem is that once the audiobooks are playing I have to exit the app after every chapter to get it to play again! I gave the app a 4 star review because I know the stars are important and I think the app has promo side once the bugs get worked out.