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xristy Author

Level 1

26 points

iOS 5 Music.app on iPad doesn't support audiobook chapters

The "new" Music.app on iOS 5 on iPad does not support viewing of Audiobook (.m4b / .aa) chapters and their titles. Nor does it provide for direct selection of chapters. This is a loss of functionality compared with the iPod.app on iOD 4.3 on iPad. The prior app provided a means of viewing the chapters and their titles and the direct selection of a desired chapter.

The current Music.app does provide for the user to tap the fast forward / backward buttons to skip to chapter marks but there is no display of the chapter title for a selection so there;s no useful way to know where one is in the Audiobook. Further, Audiobooks frequently contain 10s of chapters in a segment (usually limited to around 100 MB / segment (track if you prefer) by Audible).

The iPhone (and I presume iPod Touch) version of the Music.app retains the chapter viewing and selection functionality from previous iOS 4.3. Only the iPad version of the app has lost the functionality.

Without viewing of chapters and their titles and direct selection of chapters, Audiobooks in the Music.app are basically unusable on the iPad.

I filed a bug report on this as a regression - since it is functionality that was present (and still is on the iPhone) and is now lost.

iPad 2, iOS 5.0 (9A334)

Posted on Oct 12, 2011 9:47 PM

187 replies

Nov 30, 2011 11:09 PM in response to xristy

I discovered that actually mp3 files work fine (on iphone) without converting to anything. You need just in itune in options choose type of media "audiobook".

xristy Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 30, 2011 11:24 PM in response to alexanderfromfort lee

@alexander: Yes as the thread head states the issue is with the iPad implementation of the Music app. The Music app on the iPhone / iPod Touch seems to work basically as it did on iOS 4.3 - i.e., it's basially usable, although I suppose that some have found some issues with it.

Dec 9, 2011 6:51 AM in response to xristy

Keep sending our frustrations over this functionality stripping to Apple through feedback!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

shartrax

Level 1

33 points

Dec 14, 2011 6:56 AM in response to xristy

This is my most recent posting:

Since your latest operating system update to IOS5, the audiobook chapters are all scrambled on my iPad when playing through Music - it jumps around and nothing I do (even changing the names of 800 chapters to be numerically sequential) makes any difference. This is ONLY happening on the iPad! not on my iTouch or on my iPhone. it's only with my iPad. very frustrating and disappointing!

When anyone asks if I like my iPad - this is something I tell them - and suggest they don't buy one until this is fixed!

Dec 16, 2011 9:43 AM in response to xristy

This is not only a problem with audiobooks but crosses over to Podcast chapters aswel, complete downgrade from every other device that apple has, makes no sense to me, ill be leaving feedback with apple about this and hope it doesnt take them 2 to 3 years to fix the issue.

BlancoB

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2011 5:58 PM in response to xristy

Any idea when Apple is going to fix this problem?

I've given up trying to use my iPad to listen to my podcasts and audiobooks, iPhone seems to work correctly, hopefully they won't screw that up.

xristy Author

Level 1

26 points

Dec 25, 2011 6:31 PM in response to BlancoB

No idea. Apple has yet to acknowledge that there's an issue. I haven't seen any indication in the blogs that any of the new iOS 5.x betas have done anything in this regard.

I have been wondering whether the EULA for iOS 5 and similar software is enforceable when considering such flagrant abuses of the customer.

Essentially while there may be "no warranty express or implied as to merchantabilty or use", it seems none-the-less that there is some sort of an implied contract when a device such as the iPad is sold and provides a particular set of functions and then downstream some alteration of the device by the manufacturer is taken unilaterally that significantly impairs the functionality of the device. Saying that the user doesn't have to upgrade to new versions of the software is not valid since the user is rarely in a position to be aware of the resulting impairment until some sufficient number of users have updated and then reported the loss of functionality. The reduction in funcitonality is not advertised and so there is no notice given.

Essentially, with these sorts of devices the manufacturer is able to summarily revoke the fitness of the device leaving the user with no recourse to claim refund or to revert to an earlier version. It's sort of like buying a hammer and putting it in the toolbox one day after using it to pull some nails and drive some new nails in a fence and then the next day one goes to use the hammer and discovers that over night the manufacturer applied an upgrade that deleted the claw leaving the hammer useless for pulling nails.

Are there any remedies for such a breach of implied contract?

Angelyne

Level 1

6 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:23 PM in response to xristy

All good points. However it's not possible to revert to an earlier version. Once a new version comes out you cannot revert. Even not upgrading is not really an option, as you will be forced to upgrade, if you ever need to do a restore on your device. So not only has the functionality been taken away, but Apple has made it hard or impossible to get it back. This high-handed attitude is very frustrating, to say the least. It makes me question why it is I even support Apple.

Anyway, I found a couple of alternatives. I use Downcast for podcasts, which is actually superior to even the old ipod app. For audiobooks I use Audible, although I know it's not a perfect solution.

ryner

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:31 PM in response to hugothebear

YES !!

Let's keep the pressure on Apple !!

iOS 5 Music.app ........ EPIC FAIL !!!!!!

Keep sending our frustrations over this functionality stripping to Apple through feedback!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

xristy Author

Level 1

26 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:36 PM in response to Angelyne

I stated clearly that it is not possible to revert to an earlier version: "leaving the user with no recourse ... to revert to an earlier version"; and I also addressed the issue of not upgrading. So we are in vehment agreement.

The alternatives as you mention are insufficient to replace the functionality, as discussed in this and other threads. It is essentially not possible by any developer except one with a license for the Audible DRM decoder based on currently available facilties in the Apple SDK that is used by all developers to build software on iOS devices.

I am still looking for actual opinions on what remedies (not inadequate technical partial work-arounds) may be available. Companies such as Apple are holding customers hostage. We pay real money for products that then are modified after the fact to no longer function materially as well as they did when purchased. This is deferred bait-and-switch.

ryner

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:35 PM in response to xristy

iOS 5 Music.app - EPIC FAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!

FIX THIS NOW ... IT MATTERS !!!

Either start again and get it right or simply revert to the earlier version.

This is NOT a step forward but rather 50 steps back !!!

csayce

Level 1

1 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:49 PM in response to xristy

I have an idea those of us that have their iPad still inside their warranty date or have extended warranties why don't we just all start sending our iPads back as faulty if apple doesn't accept that there is an iOS fault then the fault must lay with the iPad and under warranty we have the right to demand that apple fix or replace the broken product if we just keep doing this then I'm sure apple will get the idea as it will start to cost them losses plus if this gets leaked to the media that apple customers are returning their devices because of inaction of apple to support it's customers than again I'm sure apple will be forced to take notice I as of the new year will be sending mine back right away luckily I have the extended warranty and apple care which means that they will send out a replacement first so at no time am I left with out an iPad but trust me I will be returning that one as well and I intend to carry on this each week which is my right too until the product is fixed.

It's an idea just thought if we all do it then that's a lot of iPads being returned apple will notice this.

ryner

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2011 9:54 PM in response to csayce

Now that's one of the BEST ideas I've seen in a long while.

Very nice "out of the box" (pun intended) thinking !!

It might just work !!!

ryner

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2011 10:00 PM in response to xristy

iOS 5 Music.app - EPIC FAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!

csayce wrote:

It's an idea just thought if we all do it then that's a lot of iPads being returned apple will notice this.

ryner replied with:

Now that's one of the BEST ideas I've seen in a long while.

Very nice "out of the box" (pun intended) thinking !!

It might just work !!!

Keep sending our frustrations over this functionality stripping to Apple through feedback!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

csayce

Level 1

1 points

Dec 25, 2011 10:01 PM in response to xristy

I just think it worth a shot instead of all this chatting that's going on let's be proactive carry on sending the iPad feed back faults but also keep sending the iPad back as well I can get a new iPad sent to me every three days it costs me a £600 deposit which is kept in credit until they have the returned iPad then they credit the money back into my account now I will use a credit card to do this which will ultimately cost them time and money to action this as well so they will loose out on all accounts they will notice that this is happening so as I said before its an idea you can follow my idea or not it's you're choosing but if you want some thing done then you really need to be proactive btw merry Christmas and lets hope the new year brings us a better iOS :)

iOS 5 Music.app on iPad doesn't support audiobook chapters