ROADMAP

Where Audiobook Factory is going.

Some of what's here is done. Some is next. Some is a plan. Some is a bet on what audiobook production could become. The near-term work ships through the beta channel and the auto-updater; the long-term work is direction, not commitment.

Last updated 2026-07-07 by Danny Fellenz.

PHASE 3

IN PROGRESS

Private beta

Where we are now. A small group of testers is running the app end-to-end on Windows and macOS. Each session surfaces real bugs that get diagnosed, fixed, and shipped through the auto-update channel. Beta ends when feedback stabilizes and the app is stable enough for open sale.

Signed and notarized builds for Windows and macOS
Auto-update system (silent background download, prompted install)
Crash logging and diagnostic capture
Beta feedback loop through in-app reports

PHASE 4.5

Submission Pack

The feature that makes the output submission-ready. Today the app produces high-quality audiobook masters; the Submission Pack automates the last mile — format conversion, credit generation, metadata enforcement, retail sample extraction, and pre-flight verification against distributor specs. ACX first (the strictest baseline), then Findaway Voices, Spotify Audiobooks, Apple Books.

Distributor spec presets, starting with ACX (192 kbps CBR MP3, 44.1 kHz mono)
Auto-generated opening and closing credits
Retail audio sample extraction (1–5 minute preview)
Pre-flight requirements checklist
Single-button export of a complete submission folder
AI narration disclosure metadata (required by every platform now)

PHASE 5

PLANNED

Commercial launch

The infrastructure to sell the app. LLC formation, trademark filing, license key system replacing beta keys, Stripe checkout, Windows code signing certificate, refund workflow. When this is done, the app is publicly for sale.

License key system (replaces beta key gate)
Stripe hosted checkout + webhook license delivery
Windows code signing certificate
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Refund workflow
Public launch — Product Hunt, HN, targeted subreddits

PHASE 6

FUTURE

ABX moonshot

The reason the app exists at all. ABX (Audiobook eXperience) is a proprietary format combining audio, full manuscript text, chapter and scene images, and word-level sync — plus a custom reader app to play them. Think of it as multimedia-rich, deeply interactive audiobooks. This is a long-horizon direction, not a near-term commitment.

ABX format specification (audio + text + images + word-level timing)
Custom reader app (mobile-first)
Forced alignment for word-level timing
Multi-device sync for bookmarks, notes, position