See that works for my iPhone users, but not my android users. Not to mention I don’t cherish the idea of having them spend another $5 to get full functionality.
Well $5 seemed like a bargain to me. In fact I sent the guy a few more dollars. He’s doing all this by himself and is very responsive so I figure if I don’t support it, it just won’t happen. And he’s a really nice guy.
If he makes an Android version I’d certainly be willing to drop a paltry $5 for his work (I spend more on stupider things). I’ve been starting to get into Android development and have tossed around the idea of making a similar app, but sadly don’t have the knowledge to really make it happen just yet.
I use Android, I would definitely drop more than $5 on an Android app akin to Prologue.
Lately, I’ve been using Emby to sync audiobooks to my phone, and either Voice Audiobook Player or Sirin (which play locally stored files) to play them, by pointing either app to the folder Emby syncs the files to.
A month ago he had this to say on his redit channel
I’ve actually been thinking about a possible Android port a bit recently. At this point the main deterrent is my lack of familiarity with the platform (I’ve used android for maybe 5 minutes total). I think you’d agree that to make a nice, native feeling app requires a fair bit of experience with the platform in question.
Some of my (very unorganised) thoughts so far:
- Open sourcing the port could help cover the gaps in my knowledge of / experience with Android
- How to monetise? Donations? Not sure I’d feel great about taking money from the community if I wasn’t doing the lion’s share of the work.
- Most of the swift codebase should be relatively easy to port to kotlin (networking, database etc). View layer will need to be entirely rewritten.
Anyway, I’ll keep thinking on it. Who knows, maybe Plex will add native support for audiobooks and Prologue won’t be needed?
Oh yeah, it’s not a bad price, I’ve already unlocked it myself. I just know that several of my family have already paid for the plex app unlock (which isn’t necessary for me). So it sucks for them to have to buy another app unlock just for audiobooks.
And androids are just out of luck.
Bottom line, plex just needs to add audiobook support. Maybe someday they’ll listen.
Right you are.
Similar to Prologue, there was once an app called emBook that did for Emby what Prologue does for Plex. I’ve never used emBook, and only briefly tinkered with Emby. But, in reading up on emBook, I came across this comment from Inrego, the emBook developer:
[17 July 2019]: I’m also going to look into adding support for Plex server. So for now, the scope of my project is just making an app for smoother audiobook playback, with the features you’d expect from an audiobook player.
…
Therefore, I thought it was fitting to give the project a new name. You’ll hear from me when I have more info to share. It’s still very early in development.
…
I know I’ve been gone a long time. Lots of that time has been spent developing apps at work, so now I have much more experience in developing stable cross-platform apps.
From the sounds of it, Inrego’s working on making a version compatible with Plex, and making it cross platform. Sounds promising.
This is Great, We are so close! Plex is Amazing at collecting Audiobooks (as ‘music albums’ with all files for a single book posted in one selected folder) There are a couple features functional in the Podcast section that audiobooks would greatly benefit from, but I understand why they are not included in the music media library type functionality.
I am so Excited for the day when my Audiobook library will have the improved track progress along with the notation of if/when I played or listened to the book, or book sections. (as with movies, TV shows, and Podcast) I see the basic features utilized and can see this as a simple combine for functionality feature. (added benefits… Use the Audiobook media library type to organize podcasts or other lengthy audio files, set a goal to listen to every … audio recording and track progress without having to make a “movie”* of the audio (*convert audio to movie file with adding pictures and ALLOT A LOT and LOTS of WORK!!!) )
THANK YOU
“I am so excited … that … I can almost taste it”
Hopefully the plex development team will implement audiobook support, without need for 3rd party software.
This is probably exactly why they don’t put more effort into adding audiobooks. With their business model it doesn’t benefit them financially to add the feature. They don’t get anymore money for it and as a developer, I don’t like to work for free either. I’d gladly pay $5… probably even $50 if it worked really well. But right now, the only money they get is if you upgrade to share your library. I’m still scratching my head on that one and how they actually stay in business.
Except that the software is not all-encompassing for media consumption without audiobook support. And chasing the almighty dollar shouldn’t be the only motivation to improve the software.
Also, it was their choice to offer Lifetime Passes.
And unfortunately none of that is a reason to build it in as all lifetime pass members paid the money when the product didn’t support audio books so having it must not have been a deal breaker.
They gain no money by doing it and unless they can tie it into a paid Audible link (ala tidal), I don’t see them doing it unfortunately.
Plex Pass’ main draw is, I think, Local Sync. I don’t think “they gain no money” by offering a function that literally only one other media server software offers (that being Booksonic—and Booksonic is terrible.)
Emby’s music functionality doesn’t even hold a candle to Plex’s, nevermind Emby’s laughable token attempt at audiobook support. So for Plex to offer something that no one else offers would, I think, not gain them “no money”. Especially when I’ve read umpteen recent articles that audiobooks are currently the fastest growing media format.
They would only make no money if everyone already bought a Lifetime Pass and they neither had people on monthly/annually nor had new users adopting the software.
Well I just use Prologue and listen to books on my PLEX server that way.
I do not have Plex pass and I currently have no use for Plex pass. The only feature I would use would be local sync for audiobooks. But Plex doesn’t support audiobooks at the moment, so I still use smart audiobook player on Android.
If they made any actual effort into supporting audiobooks, I would buy Plex pass.
For me too!
I would buy a Lifetime PlexPass when there is a real audiobook support.
Please Plex developers, make i happen soon!
Longtime Lifetime PLEX Pass member.
I use for Movies, TV, Music, and would love my Audio books on there. Otherwise I have to repurchase on Audible
Longtime PlexPass Member. +1 on Audiobook support.
Emby has it - I think it is time Plex gets it.
Audiobook support would be amazing! There isn’t currently a good way to sync audiobooks (and especially audiobook progress) with PC on Android. Would happily buy a lifetime PlexPass when this is implemented.
