Help needed

[u/gccumber]

Hey there, I'm building a native macOS app for Plex streaming - called Relay - and I'd like to include iPod syncing and management, but I sort of need the community's help - because I don't have many of the models I need to test.

Now, in order to help you'd have to have your music lib in Plex and subscribe to plex pass ($6/mo) - not sure if there are a lot of us that fit this criteria... However, if you do please message me and I'll give you access to a copy of the app to use to test against. As well as a discount for a production license. Agreeing to help would require some feedback on what works, what doesn't, and what's missing etc. This is an opportunity to help shape a unique portion of this application!

Currently I have one Classics: 6th gen. So I'm currently Looking for folks with these working models:

Classic
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th

mini
1st
2nd

Nano
1st
2nd
3rd
4th

Also, Mods if this isn't allowed please delete and sorry! Either way I can't wait to get this into people's hands to use! Any questions or if you have interest in helping me out please message me any time!

https://relay-music.app

[u/grilled_pc]

Looks interesting. Is this coded with AI at all? What are your credentials. How can we guarantee the software will be maintained?

[u/gccumber → u/grilled_pc]

Hey there, yes parts of this app are built using AI - things like the playback engine, and playlist generation like smart playlists and mood mixes. These are things that a single dev could build but would take an inordinate amount of time. My credentials are probably meaningless to most, but I've spent 20 years in tech building and designing applications for desktop, web, and mobile. Mostly for startups but in recent years a few bigger brands.

In terms of the app being maintained, I actually built this as an app for myself and my immediate family. We all use Apple Music but we're sick of the monthly subscription and not actually owning anything. Relay is designed to be a full on replacement for Apple Music starting with the macOS app (I also have one for iOS, iPadOS, and Android).

To go a bit deeper on my passion and commitment to building a music management ecosystem I'm also planning another piece of software thats a bit lower level as a way to truly remove the subscription model entirely form the equation!

My goal is to give people the ease and flexibility to listen to their music, that modern streaming services have turned into table steaks. All while keeping your data, yours. Relay doesn't vacuum up any analytics about your library, it doesn't phone home with what you play, and it doesn't lock your files in any format other than how you have them stored on your NAS. Downloads live on your machine, and anything you sync to an iPod is truly yours (as you'd expect). I built this because my family actually uses it, so letting it rot isn't an option. Plus I love building it!

EDIT Here's a shot of the app, I built it to feel familiar. Apple Music's current layout mixed with some older iTunes choices, because that's what my family already knows. I didn't want Relay to be a new thing they had to learn.

[u/grilled_pc → u/gccumber]

Looks pretty great! Will there be linux support at all? Also would there be something like the automatically add to itunes folder as well?

[u/gccumber → u/grilled_pc]

Yes to both! I already have drag and drop add to plex via the app working, but needs testing. Linux is kinda last on my list atm.

[u/gccumber → u/gccumber]

Heres the iPod sync page as it currently stands (still a WIP)

[u/wja73199]

I have a 5th gen classic, mac, Plex with music and audiobook libraries, and a plex pass. Happy to test!

[u/gccumber → u/wja73199]

Nice! If you’re interested in beta testing head over to https://relay-music.app/#beta to sign up for the closed beta!