Booktrack App Review: Interactive Reading on iPhone and iPad

Reading your favourite e-book on iPhone or iPad has just become a lot more exciting with Booktrack. This app was founded by a New Zealander and has revolutionised the e-book experience.

Booktrack synchronizes music and sound effects to match the story you are reading. For example when reading about a boy running through the forest, the reader can hear everything from the leaves rustling to the bees buzzing. The App has the ability to sense the speed at which you are reading by recognising when you turn each page. This technology makes the sounds happen at the right time for the reader.

Some people think that listening to music while reading is distracting, but the Booktracks are synchronised so well, it enhances the experience. There are some similar apps out there but this one has a real ‘Kiwi’ influence. All of the software development is completed in Auckland.

To get the best experience headphones are essential, the music and sounds are so well synchronised, it is very easy to get lost in the story. The tempo of the music rises and falls depending on the situation in the story. The reader can chose from a number of guides, which displays where the app is currently up to.

With just a simple tap on the screen, the story pauses and the viewer can change the following settings. Clockwise from the top left-hand corner:

• Go back to the home screen
• View the contents page of the book
• Share the book via social media
• Add a bookmark to a page
• Tool settings- edit the speed
• Audio settings- edit volume of different effects
• Font settings- edit font type, size, and colour

Co-founder Mark Cameron is Originally from Auckland and Booktrack is now based in New York City.

Booktrack is available in the ITunes App Store as well as on Windows and Android platforms, just search “Booktrack”. Some of the Booktracks are free but the average price per book is $2.