SimplyE Negative Reviews

SimplyE App Complaints & User Negative Comments 2024

SimplyE app received 31 complaints, negative comments and reviews by users. Have you ever had a bad experience using SimplyE? Can you share your negative thoughts about simplye?

SimplyE for Negative User Reviews

✓ Missing many basic features of an e-readerA) ability to search for words. This is one of the only advantages e-reading has over paper reading, the fact that a user can quickly index ideas they read through B) ability to scroll through book. Right now navigation controls are at page level or at chapter level. If you want to navigate within a really long chapter you have no choice but to keep tapping incessantly at one side of the page. This is infuriating. C) ability to copy snippets of text. Another major frustration, if I read a particularly good quote I have no choice except to copy it down by hand and retype it to a friend. You should be able to copy 140 chars or so for the purpose of sharing/saving a quote..YwriterctVersion: 2.2.2

✓ Why don’t you understand book pages?I have many issues with this app over the last few years. So I was excited when you finally learned that books are numbered sequentially and not by individual chapter. I was happy when I opened a newly checked out book and found that the book I’m starting to read, which every book seller I looked at told me, is listed as 278 pages. WhooHoo, a nice short book. But, NO. Not SimplyE. You used your inexplicable logic and presented this book as 571 pages!!!!!!!! WHAT!!!!!??????? In what universe do you think this is a good thing? You seem to have no interest in making this a completely pleasant experience because in reading all the negative comments this year you have not responded to any one of them and certainly have no intention to improve in the near future..AperssonVersion: 3.7.0

✓ Can’t figure out how determine how many pages leftI’ve tried a bunch of different things but I can’t figure out how to determine how many pages are left in the book. Mine is only displaying how many left in the chapter, but that’s kind of useless info unless you are reading a textbook and are assigned chapters to read by a certain time. I’m much more interested in knowing how many pages in a book and how far along I am. Is this book a 4-5 hour read? A 6-7 hour read? Will I finish it before it needs to be returned? Of course I’d rather be reading, but I have to work too! Can someone point me to where I change the setting to show pages in the book not just pages in the chapter?.New to SimplyEVersion: 3.3.7

✓ Confusion with bookmarks & audioAt first, this app seemed perfect for my needs. I mainly use it to listen to audiobooks while riding the subway. My other library app, Libby, is problematic on the subway because every 10-30 seconds there’s a break in audio transmission, resulting in the loss of several words. When it happens every ten seconds it really impacts the listening experience. But it turns out SimplyE is even worse, because this app loses bookmarks with e-books, and if I pause an audio book, when I resume it plays the book both from where I left off and from the beginning! At the same time! Why they scrapped Overdrive I don’t know. That app was perfect in almost every way. The only thing I couldn’t do with it was to have the same audiobook on my phone and my tablet....Pygmy G.Version: 3.9.4

✓ A few tweaks & this app would be perfect!Latest: since updating my app on August 12th, I cannot access any of my books or the catalog and keep being told I need to check my connection. Everything else on my phone is working so it’s not an internet issue. Previous review: I love the idea of this app - millions of library books at my fingertips! But it falls a little short as an e-reading app. I wish they would add scrolling view as an option instead of just tap to turn. I wish I could see a history of books I have read or reserved so I could keep track as sometimes I can’t read everything on my shelf before the loan period runs out. I wish that books that weren’t requested by someone else would automatically renew so I didn’t lose them (and my bookmark) halfway through even though they’re still available to borrow. I wish there was a % read detail. I wish that the book didn’t close/need to be reopened anytime I switched away from the app/my phone locked for a second. I wish books with images/illustrations didn’t get completely messed up/illegible. It also seems to have decided just today that my login credentials (as entered and perfectly acceptable in the app for the past six months) are invalid. I can’t borrow or reserve new books and some of my holds and books have disappeared. Very frustrating indeed..BeaniePhotoVersion: 3.5.1

✓ Doing great, just needs a few more tweaksI love this app and what it represents. I’m so grateful to be able to check out books this way. The reading interface has some good options, but there are a few problems I found that need to be addressed. Images aren’t always displayed properly. In a book I’m reading now, the images get stretched vertically over a few pages. Also whenever there is a linked footnote (with an underlined asterisk) clicking it brings me to a page with the footnote text in a minuscule font size that I can’t read. I’d love it to just pop up with a bubble there on the page when I tap it..JQ WVersion: 3.3.7

✓ Infuriatingly buggy appWhen an ebook is actually available to be checked out immediately, the app is fine. But if you want to read a book that has a waitlist, meaning any popular and recent book at all, you might as well give up and look for it elsewhere. I’ve been waiting to check out a specific book for weeks and weeks with no end in sight because this nonfunctional app keeps randomly kicking me off the waitlist after several weeks of waiting, now causing me to have to go from #20 in line to #96 in line. This is what I get for trying to support the library and not just looking online for books. Good bye.SovoccinoVersion: 3.9.4

✓ Great when working- many many glitchesWhen the app is functioning well it’s one of my favorites and my primary way to read when commuting or traveling. The selection is great. However, there are many glitches and they don’t seem to improve year to year. Recently the app suddenly put all my reserve books into my main reading tab ready for download- when I did download then it says its corrupt. When I return and hit reserve it goes to download again. This is not the first time this has happened. Last time I had to delete & reinstall the app to get it fixed- losing all my books and having to wait for many to become available again after nearly finishing them or being at the front of the reserve order. The app has the report an issue section but there’s never any follow up- feels like asking for help into a void..CSJ22Version: 2.2.4

✓ Why make a semi-ok app worse with updates?For some reason each time stability updates are applied to this app... it’s more unstable? It’s almost impossible to turn the “pages” now, the pages don’t “turn” - they suddenly, rapidly “slide” (which is unendingly disorienting), the “copy/search” button in the iOS version will not disappear unless you agree to copy something (what, you’re not sure since nothing is highlighted to begin with), if you reserve a book and it comes up for your turn to read there is no notification unless you open the app so you may well miss your chance to read said-book, and the search bar still doesn’t work unless you’re in a specific category already. Why mess with something already not successful? UGH!.Bluedrag0neyesVersion: 2.2.3

✓ Not TerribleThe app allows me to read more...when it works. For starters, if you accidentally select the wrong library, it’s in your list for good as far as I can tell. The UI changes color based on the different library you use. Of course the one I needed was in black, so all the titles for each section were black text on a black background - invisible. The offerings for books seem to be larger than the books you can actually download, which may not be the apps fault, but be prepared. Lastly, have a strong cell service, it stops working the moment I get to 2 bars or lower, even on WiFi..Rz1993Version: 3.3.5

✓ Great concept but needs improvementsNo notifications unless you open the app so I’m not noticed when I have a new book available for download then by the time I do log in the time to download has expired and I have to rejoin the weeks long waiting list. I also almost always get 2-3 books that become available all at once. Wish there was a ‘skip’ feature so you can download the one you want but skip the others without totally losing your place in line. Would also be nice to be able to extend rental for a few days if needed. Hate having one chapter left and then rental expires and you have to wait to download again to finish the book..Jas9305Version: 3.3.2

✓ Issues are getting worse 😤I first downloaded the app in Sept 2022. At first everything was great. It was becoming one of my favorite apps. It would lose my place when I read or skip a few pages, but I overlooked that. I was still happy with having use of this app. However, it’s been a steady decline now. The bug fixes are not working. I have two books that are still showing available for download, but I’ve already read these books and returned them in December. Two current books are ready for download, but it keeps crashing and I get a message that it can’t download. So frustrating as these books I’ve been waiting weeks for and now I’m unable to read them. 😔 I’ve reported the issues but no feedback..DeeTX45Version: 3.9.3

✓ Love it, but lotsa major glitches latelyI love the idea of this app, and the few books I have been able to download have been so wonderful and enjoyable. BUT, lately I am growing more and more frustrated that, after waiting days and weeks for reserved books to be available, 9 out of 10 of them I cannot actually “get” from the reservation tab, and those that do make it into my list of books, the majority just won’t download. I will get a note that my book is available to “get”, but then when I press on “get”, it goes right back to my reserved list. And, then for the books that make it to my list of available books to read or listen to, it’s so incredibly disappointing that when I press on listen, I just get an error message or a repeated message that the chapter isn’t finished downloading. I’ve waited days and weeks, still not finished. It’s not downloading. I have reported these problems repeatedly and keep looking for updates for this app… and nothing. I love this app so much and I love to read and listen to books, but lately the app is more of a joy kill than anything..TamaraBronxVersion: 3.7.2

✓ Pharaoh - Wilbur SmithOnly way I can re-dowload a book that I haven't had the chance to finish is to uninstall and reinstall the app. Every. Single. Time..PimslaVersion: 3.3.7

✓ GOOD SELECTION; DISAPPOINTING OTHERWISEMany of the complaints I have are already detailed by other users. For a huge public library system like the NYPL it’s hard to fathom why so many basic functions of other e-readers aren’t in this app. One complaint that I haven’t seen in other reviews (though I only read a few) is that I reserved a book that was unavailable for several weeks, and when it finally was available, there was no direct email or message to me other than a little dot showing a notification in the app, which could easily be overlooked. But there was no info whatsoever about how many days I had to claim it. After 2 or 3 days it was gone, back to reserved status again. I also wish there were an option to renew a book. 3 weeks is just not enough time to read very long books, particularly nonfiction. The one I had on reserve is over 1000 pages, and I’d never get through something like that in just 21 days..DMTobiskVersion: 3.4.0

✓ Lacks Some FunctionalityI would much prefer being able to read the content library in another reader application. It’s crazy no one has sold this kind of solution more readily to libraries. Or if they have, it’s crazy the NYPL seems to have their own. I’m highly suspicious that they should be in the business of creating their own ereader. Can’t they hire someone to do that with a more modern design? That being said, in a constructive idea, the UX needs help on the actual reading experience. I bet enough UX designers and software engineers living in NYC would care enough about this to improve it pro-bono… has that ever been tried?.College sleepVersion: 3.8.7

✓ Basic functions are good but needs updatesI love using this to borrow books from the library but the basic experience is still rough, primarily bc every time I leave the app, however briefly, when I go back, it takes me to my book list instead of the book I was reading. It didn’t used to do that unless it had been so long that the app refreshed. Additional features that would be nice: (1) know how many pages into the book you are (my son uses the app for school and needs to track how many pages he reads and so has to keep track by chapter vs just doing math on what page he started and ended), (2) borrowing history, (3) ability to save a list of books of interest for the future..PxavesVersion: 3.1.0

✓ IOS 15 crashes every time. This is such a bush league app So buggy. High school project?I need and depend on this app. That is why it’s so frustrating that bugs they know about don’t get fixed for months. 1. Frequently when I GET a book but do not download right away, when I go to the book, it’ll say “something went wrong” (brilliantly helpful) or “download expired” or “ this chapter hasn’t downloaded yet, wait….” And yet the title does not retry a download automatically. Oh you say, just hit the download button? No such feature! 2. Downloads stop if the app is in the background, even if you’ve given the app background permission. 3. Your last listening point is not saved reliably unless you force quit the app. If you leave for more than a few minutes, it will restart somewhere before you were last. 4. I could go on…. Maybe I’ll amend later..TallStalkyVersion: 3.7.1

✓ Audiobooks are buggyI love the NYPL and the the ability to borrow free audiobooks is wonderful. However, I’ve never made it through an audiobook successfully on this app. If I pause a book and return to it later it’s usually (perhaps always) forgotten my spot and begins again. If I pause briefly and press play again it often starts the audiobook from the beginning at the same time as it plays from where I paused. When I press pause in this situation it will pause the track that started where I had previously paused, but the track that started from the beginning cannot be stopped unless I quit the app. When I reopen the app my place in the recording has been lost again. Please fix these bugs 🙏.LemoncupspoonVersion: 3.9.4

✓ Perfect when it worksI love that I can borrow ebooks from the comfort of my home on my phone. However, I’ve noticed that whenever a book’s loan period expires and I don’t physically click the “Return” button, the ebook remains in my “My Books” with only the “Download” button available for clicking. When I click on it, it gives me an error. It never used to be an issue until maybe a year ago? It’s bothersome because I can no longer re-borrow an ebook that may be available for borrowing. I kept hoping that it’ll get fixed eventually but I think I’ve waited long enough, and it might not get resolved any time soon, so I thought I should let others know. );.SuniMunniVersion: 3.8.7

✓ I want to love this appI love that this app links with my NYPL account and lets me listen to audiobooks for free, but there are so many glitches. It often has issues downloading titles, which makes me need to put the book back on my waitlist and wait weeks for my turn to download it again. It also has no way to track the books you’ve read or downloaded in the past (which would be so helpful for tracking my reading goals) or to like or save books for a “to read” list. Since you can only have a few books on the reservations waitlist at a time, this feature would be so helpful. Between the glitches and lack of features, I can’t give this app more than 3 stars but it’s still a really nice option and helps me use my library card more..AnnadigiuseppeVersion: 3.9.0

✓ Sometimes unusable but great selection because of NYPLThe idea is great, however there are glitches and features present in other apps which would be greatly appreciated. Often it says a book is available but once you go to check it out it puts the book on the waitlist and sometimes does this several times making it impossible to check out a book even when a. A notification comes in saying that the book is now available and b. The app has been deleted and redownloaded. When this glitch is happening, it makes the app effectively unusable. There are also sometimes glitches with the download process. Also, Audiobooks can only be sped up to 2x speed which is still painfully slow because of the reading speed of some audiobooks. Making 3-4x speed would be greatly appreciated as well as a space to request that books be added to the catalogue..Mandalay21Version: 3.8.0

✓ Bookmarks don’t seem to work properlyJust recently started using this app & it’s mostly good but bookmarks don’t seem to mark the correct page, usually they take me back to the start of the chapter. And on the bookmarks page it tells me what percentage of the chapter I’ve read so far but not which page was marked so I really just have to flip through & scan text which is really annoying. Also, the search function is really not very good. I have (many times) typed in the exact title of a book that I had already found through the app (or the authors full name, or both) and it will not come up in the list (which will include many books which only contain one word or half the name from the info I entered). This is incredibly frustrating..TheonlyrosieVersion: 3.0.5

✓ Duplicating Bookmarks and Search PleaseOk, still the below and now something else. I know you recently updated because of a bug where books reserved were showing as available. Well I updated but they’re still showing available and if I try reading them I get a message about the file being corrupted. So...update again please? App is coming along and bookmarks work well! BUT: 1. Selecting text gets weird. The selecting stays on the page instead of disappearing after looking it up, etc. Very distracting! Will stay up for a few pages in the same location. 2. I want to be able to search for specific words! One book I’m reading has an index/glossary, and it’s getting annoying having to go page by page until I find the word in the index I’m looking for. 3. Might be asking too much, but: notes and note exporting would be AWESOME. Maybe that’s a moonshot objective, but they could be specific to a users library account and use local phone memory to store. Great job guys, you’re doing great! Keep up the updates!!.Fabulously LucrativeVersion: 2.2.4

✓ App is broken in two crucial waysThis app has always had problems (I do not understand how it’s rated so highly). Some of them have been fixed. But a worse problem has arisen recently. First, BOOKMARKS ARE BROKEN. This has been true for a long time. About half the time, bookmarks do not save. So one is forced to flip through pages to find one’s place, often resulting it spoilers. SO FRUSTRATING Now, I CAN’T DOWNLOAD THE BOOK I RESERVED, which makes the book functionally useless. I reserved a book I had been looking forward to reading. It was finally made available to download after three or four weeks. I’ve tried to download the book six times over the last three days, on three different wifi networks, and it Fails every single time. SO I CAN’T READ THE BOOK I RESERVED. If brick and mortar libraries worked like this, they would not last. Not to mention the fact that the NYPL’s full catalog is not available on other apps, just this broken one. NYPL should be ashamed, and the developers should be replaced.MktevVersion: 3.9.4

✓ Some suggestionsI started using SimplyE within the last year and am really enjoying having digital access to the NYPL. Some features I would like to see on future versions of the app: a wish list for titles to borrow in the future, a suggestions box for books not yet available, my bookmarks reappearing on repeated loans (I usually don’t finish books before they are due and lose bookmarks when the title is returned), not having to see the ‘book is ready to read’ screen when moving from the SimplyE app to another app & then back to your book while the app is still open (why put in that wall to go through again & again?). Looking forward to seeing more from this!.S. HochmanVersion: 3.3.1

✓ Great but could be betterThis is a great app for avid readers. Here’s how it could be better (I hope the developers are reading): 1. A way to gauge how far you are into a book and how much more is left. 2. Email or text notifications when your book is ready (bummer to wait months for a book, then lose it when you don’t see its available). 3. A way to leave reviews of books. 4. A reading log, that shows you what you’ve read to date. 5. An indicator on the app icon when it’s closed that you have a book available. 6. Some notice of how many days you have to check out a book before you loose it. 7. A history of books you’ve failed to check out, and lost, so you can get back in the queue easily. 8. A list of books you’d like to read, to make it easy to check out new ones when you’re ready. 9. A way to email a link to good books to your friends who use the app. I’m sure there are more, but this would be a great start. That said I do LOVE having a book on my phone at all times, for the low cost of paying my taxes. :) Thanks NY Public Library!.HastingsNextVersion: 2.2.12

✓ Nice, but .....Nice simply app, but when I exit the app OR take a break from reading and come back to the iPad I have to reopen the book. Why not just stay on the page that I left? It would also be much better if I can see where I am in the book. Seeing just the chapter is not good enough. I need to see what % I am done in the book. I might see Chapter 12, and not know if I have 30 more chapters left to read or 3 more Chapters remaining. It would be great to see something like 20% done or 30% done or 40% done – you get the idea. Also a history of books that I have read would be very useful. Thank you and I hope to See the app Improve..EyePad2ReadWithVersion: 3.3.7

✓ It almost never works twiceThe first time I downloaded this app, it worked great. It also worked great the 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th times I downloaded it. Now I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve downloaded the app. What happens is I download an audio book. I listen to it. I switch it off when I have to take a break from listening. Then I come back and I can’t listen to the audiobook again. It won’t load. The only solution: delete the app. Download it again. Log in to the app again. Download the audiobook again. Repeat. Every week it seems the app has fixed more critical bugs. Sadly, it hasn’t fixed this one. I guess you get what you pay for..MRiniOSVersion: 3.6.5

✓ JumpyThis app is a great way to get audio books but I find when I listen to audio books and lock my phone, the timer isn’t correct and when I hit pause it actually stops the book and restarts it from the beginning. When I hit play, the book continues from the beginning but then also continues from where I paused at the same time so two voices are speaking and I have to force quit the app in order to play it again. I love supporting the library and also having this to get books on the go but this isn’t great..AwpzVersion: 3.9.2

✓ 'Look Up' dictionary feature stopped workingI have the latest version of both ios and the simplye app and for some reason the app no longer allows me to look up words in the iphone internal dictionary. it used to work but now it doesn't. very annoying and inconvenient. furthermore the app is very bad at keeping track of your page, sometimes even changing mid read. this usually happens when you have the menu buttons visible at the borders of the screen and then tap to remove them, the page layout resets. also very annoying and inconvenient..Rayben27Version: 3.9.2

SimplyE works most of the time. If it is not working for you, we recommend you excersise some patience and retry later or contact SimplyE.