Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Overdrive Media Console iPhone Application Feedback

I just installed the Overdrive Media Console iPhone Application on my iPod Touch and it installed beautifully. When I launched the application I thought I could browse for titles within the console, but you must first find a library that has Overdrive and then browse/search for titles on their customized Overdrive website. Luckily, I knew the URL to where my library's Overdrive website is hosted because the console doesn't provide an easy-to-find "Find my Library" link in their help pages. Once you find your library's Overdrive website and then some titles, you are asked to login to access your cart.

I browsed for iPod-compatible titles and found a few; however, I received an "Unexpected Error" regarding formats when trying to add the titles to my cart. I went back to browsing only MP3 titles and found one that seemed interesting. This time it worked like a charm! I was able to download sections of the book and it played flawlessly.

I would give this app four out of five stars. It isn't a huge deal, but it would be nice if you could search for and download titles within the application similar to Stanza and other apps. Also, I know the app is for eAudiobooks only, but Overdrive also includes EPUB, PDF, and other formats and it would be nice if those formats were supported too. All in all, this is a wonderful app!

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post. I downloaded this app for my iphone. It doesn't multitask which it makes it impossible to do other things while listening to a book. I hate that. The downloads also time-out when your screen turns off so you have to babysit the downloads. I hate that too. I give it 2.97 stars.

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  2. Yes, I agree with everything you say. And after using it for a while I'd like to change my rating to a 3.5. However, I am lazy and probably won't make the change. ;) Thanks for your comment.

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  3. I checked out 3 WMA format books and tried to download them directly to my iPhone via iTunes. Drama: I can see my iPhone is holding more files, but I have no idea where to access them. The books don't show up anywhere in my iTunes either.

    Then I tried doing everything on my iPhone and the ODM app opened up on its own just like I expected, but sadly the app doesn't support WMA files.

    So I basically have 3 audiobooks checked out for my trip to the caribbean that I can't even return early.

    Luckily, I left myself 1 last check out option. Here's what I'm going to do now that I'm more experienced:

    Step 1: Search for mp3 ONLY audio books on my public library's website on my desktop because its easier to navigate than my phone.

    Step 2: Once I find an mp3 title I'll go to the same website on my phone and search the title.

    Step 3: Put in my library card #, pin, press download and viola! the ODM app will take over from there.


    It's easy if you do it exactly the one way they intended for it to work. Unfortunately, they need to expanded the usability of their app for WMA and searching book titles via the app.

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  4. I agree! I'd like to see the app support WMA files.

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  5. If the iPhone app is difficult to use or understand then chances are the user will move on to another application that is simple to understand and easy to use.

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