Customer Reviews (100)

Felix Mills • 2025-03-25T17:29:14.170Z

has every feature you could want in a audio player app. I've tried several others such as vlc and smart audiobook player. This app has the best features

Allan Richardson • 2025-03-19T22:26:47.216Z

Easiest to use and intuitive directory use.

Martin Pennington • 2025-03-15T23:08:22.752Z

Best in found

Summary of Key Insights

The "Listen Audiobook Player" app enjoys overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with users praising its comprehensive feature set, customization options, and offline functionality. A significant strength is its ability to play DRM-free audiobooks from various sources, including Plex integration and Librivox. However, some users have reported bugs, particularly related to the sleep timer, crashes, and UI changes. The developer is generally perceived as responsive and helpful.

The overall rating is very high, with a strong concentration of 5-star reviews. The app's strengths lie in its functionality and customizability, while its weaknesses are primarily related to occasional bugs and UI preferences.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: High (Estimated at 4.7 based on score distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 79%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 9%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 6%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 1%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 5%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly specified, but reviews span multiple years (from 2016 to 2024), suggesting a long-term usage pattern.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manual assessment of the overall tone (positive, negative, neutral) of each review.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently used words and phrases to determine common themes, issues, and feature requests.
    • Categorization: Grouping reviews based on specific topics (e.g., bugs, UI, features).

Key User Pain Points

  • Bugs/Crashes: Several users report crashes, especially when the app is running in the background or when switching between books. Some users have experienced issues with the sleep timer not functioning correctly.
    • Impact: Significant disruption of the listening experience, potentially leading to frustration and app abandonment.
  • UI Changes: Recent UI updates have been met with mixed reactions. Some users appreciate the new UI, while others dislike the changes, particularly the inability to hide the navigation section or customize the controls.
    • Impact: Reduced user satisfaction for those who preferred the previous UI, potentially leading to negative reviews and churn.
  • SD Card Issues: One user reported that the app unmounts their SD card upon startup, rendering the app unusable.
    • Impact: Complete blockage of app functionality for affected users.
  • Plex Server Enumeration: One user found the app slow to enumerate Plex servers.
    • Impact: Initial setup frustration.
  • Bluetooth control issues: After updates, some users have experienced bluetooth control issues.
    • Impact: Frustration and inconvenience for users who rely on bluetooth controls.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Cloud Support (Google Drive Integration): Several users have requested Google Drive or other cloud storage integration for syncing audiobooks.
  • Notes/Highlighting Function: Users want the ability to add notes and highlight sections within audiobooks for research or reference.
  • More Library View Flexibility: Users want more customization options for the library view, such as changing font size and adding tags (series, author) to the list.
  • Android Auto Improvements: Users want a Library mode in Android Auto to browse books by author, especially for large libraries.
  • Cast Support (Chromecast): Some users have requested Chromecast support.
  • Mark as Read: The ability to mark an audiobook as "read" or listened to.
  • Playlist Feature: A quick playlist feature for organizing audiobooks.
  • Separate Earbud Actions: The ability to bind left and right earbud actions separately (e.g., volume up/down).
  • Infinite Loop: An option for infinite looping of audiobooks.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Feature Set: Users consistently praise the app's extensive features, including variable playback speed, trim silence, pitch control, volume boost, equalizer, bookmarks, sleep timer, and customizable controls.
  • Customization Options: The app offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the experience to their preferences.
  • Offline Functionality: Users appreciate the ability to play DRM-free audiobooks from various sources without being tied to a specific platform.
  • Plex Integration: The Plex integration is a major selling point for many users.
  • Responsive Developer: Users frequently mention the developer's responsiveness to questions and bug reports.
  • No Ads/In-App Purchases: Users appreciate that the app has no advertisements or in-app purchases to unlock features.
  • Support for Multiple Formats: The app supports a wide range of audio formats, including mp3, m4b, m4a, opus, ogg, aac, and flac.
  • Folder-Based Library: The folder-based library system allows users to easily organize their audiobooks.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Crashing Issues: Investigate and fix the reported crashing issues, particularly those occurring in the background or when switching between books.
  • Sleep Timer Bug Fix: Resolve the sleep timer bug that causes the book to continue playing after the timer expires.
  • Bluetooth control issues: Investigate and resolve the reported bluetooth control issues.
  • SD Card Unmounting Issue: Immediately address the issue of the app unmounting the SD card.
  • UI Customization Options: Provide more options for customizing the UI, such as the ability to hide the navigation section and customize controls, to cater to different user preferences.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Cloud Support: Consider adding Google Drive or other cloud storage integration for syncing audiobooks across devices.
  • Enhance Library View Flexibility: Add more customization options for the library view, such as changing font size and adding tags (series, author) to the list.
  • Android Auto Library Mode: Implement a Library mode in Android Auto to browse books by author.
  • Improve Plex Server Enumeration Speed: Optimize the process of enumerating Plex servers to reduce loading time.
  • Notes/Highlighting Function: Add the ability to add notes and highlight sections within audiobooks.

Low Priority:

  • Cast Support (Chromecast): Consider adding Chromecast support.
  • Mark as Read Feature: Implement the ability to mark an audiobook as "read" or listened to.
  • Playlist Feature: Add a quick playlist feature for organizing audiobooks.
  • Separate Earbud Actions: Consider adding the ability to bind left and right earbud actions separately.
  • Infinite Loop: Add an option for infinite looping of audiobooks.
  • New Icon: Consider a new app icon.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Audiobook Social Platform: Create a platform where users can share their audiobook highlights, notes, and reviews.
  • AI-Powered Audiobook Summarizer: Develop an AI tool that summarizes audiobooks and provides key insights.
  • Audiobook Learning Platform: Create a platform that combines audiobooks with interactive learning tools, such as quizzes and flashcards.
  • Cross-Platform Audiobook Management Tool: Develop a tool to manage and sync audiobooks across multiple platforms (e.g., Listen, Audible, Google Play Books).
  • AI-Based Voice Enhancement: Implement AI to dynamically adjust volume levels to improve the listening experience.

Trends and Observations

  • Long-Term User Satisfaction: Many users have been using the app for years and continue to praise its functionality.
  • UI Preferences: Recent UI changes have divided users, highlighting the importance of providing customization options.
  • Developer Responsiveness: The developer's responsiveness is a significant factor in user satisfaction.
  • Plex Integration Popularity: The Plex integration is a key differentiator for the app.
  • International Appeal: The app supports multiple languages, indicating a global user base.

Conclusion

The "Listen Audiobook Player" is a highly regarded app with a strong user base. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive feature set, customization options, offline functionality, and responsive developer. However, addressing the reported bugs and UI concerns is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and preventing churn. Implementing some of the frequently requested features, such as cloud support and a notes function, could further enhance the app's appeal and attract new users. Overall, the app is a solid choice for audiobook enthusiasts, but continuous improvement and responsiveness to user feedback are essential for long-term success.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acmeandroid.listen