Downpour.com

While there were plenty of issues with version 3, like the fact that it still used the iPhone 5 screen layout in 2017, this update fixed some of these issues but made others worse. I still can't use the time-skipping controls on my Bluetooth headset for example. And on the subject of time skipping, there is a new bug that makes it impossible to play audio in the background without it randomly skipping back several minutes at a time. This is the last straw for me. The app has become unusable. I will finish listening to my Downpour audiobooks on another device, and then switch back to Audible. It's a shame, because Audible's market dominance was what made me choose to use Downpour in the first place.

I love downpour because, unlike audible, they give me ownership of the files I download. No DRM means I can play them on any player, and feel safe in backing up. The files are mine. Also, good selection, and good prices. Unfortunately the app is broken. How did it get past testing? I press play, and the app crashes. Close, restart, play, crash. Close, restart, play, crash. Close, restart, play, crash. ... But it's not a worry. When I get to my laptop I will download the mp3s, add them to my MP3 player of choice, and delete the downpour app. This is unlike audible, where if there is a problem with their app or iTunes synchronisation, I lose the ability to hear my audiobooks. --- Update 14 June 2015 After giving up on the app a long time ago, I re-downloaded it today. It now plays without crashing. However, I have had a bad experience with the first chapters of an audiobook I just purchased. It plays one track, then stops and won't play the next. I delete the next track, re-download it, and it works. On chapter four it now stops half way through the track. Deleting and re-downloading doesn't seem to help. So the conclusion is, still very much broken, at least for me. Just download the MP3s and add to iTunes instead.

Great app, dark.... With sleep timer and sensible options as well as a great library of books. Quality of audio and reliability is excellent. Slightly more expensive than alternatives however, seems some books are 2 credits which is a surprise. I will see how it goes but if they insist on asking for 2 credits.... For a book, may need to reconsider. Try it and see.

I chose this app because I wanted to find a quite obscure non fiction title and they had it. Great choice of books especially non fiction. I love the app it's easy to use - great features like the sleep function and 30second rewind or fastforward, and it looks great. Only one thing- my book chapters have track names (track 1, track 2 etc) instead of chapter titles which is a shame. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars!

Mostly the same books available endlessly. In recent months books that sell for the likes of $29.99 have appeared in 99 Cents deals. Clearly, nobody is minding the store. Hoopla does a much better job of providing new books (for free), and Audible (and sometimes Apple) are better buying options. Blackstone Audio, Downpour’s owner, is flailing.

Can’t even search for an author. The moment I find the one I’m looking for and the collection of work appears…It promptly disappears along with the search bar!

App does not initialize because of a JSON error so I cannot login and access my >200 titles, or search and acquire more. Can provide the full error message. Hope yo can fix.

Absolutely wreaks havoc on my iphone 12 battery. Have been through 3 different iphones with this app and eats the battery on all of them. Simply, why?

It seemed good then it started crashing after launching the app so i don’t know how to feel.

I just made my first purchases. Tried to download them, but the app kept on cycling between 2 different ‘download’ buttons! Then l tried to relay this to customer service via the email link on the purchase confirm, but got an ‘undeliverable message’ response with the reason that l wasn’t on the group’s ‘accepted email list’. What kind of foolishness is this? Unless l get satisfaction l may not stay on this site, which would be a shame for Blackstone as well as me since I’m seriously looking to purchase the $390 Shakespeare set. Your serve, Downpour.