Holmes Collection is a mobile archive providing access to public domain Sherlock Holmes literature and 1940s radio broadcasts on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the friction of sourcing disparate public domain files by aggregating classic detective content into a single, offline-accessible library.
For Fans of Sherlock Holmes literature and enthusiasts of 1940s radio dramas.
What does it look like?
Key features
Access to the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes books and short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Playback of 32 episodes of the 1940s New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio show featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
How much does it cost?
The app operates as a free, ad-free utility with no visible monetization or subscription gates.
Velocity
Dormant developmentShow more...
Holmes Collection has seen no development activity for 1,452 days. The app remains in a zombie state with no updates or feature additions since its initial launch. There is no evidence of ongoing maintenance or support for the platform.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Holmes Collection
How's the Entertainment market?
Holmes Collection operates as a niche entertainment utility, maintaining a 5-star rating on the strength of its archival content. The lack of updates since 2022 limits its ability to compete with broader, feature-rich e-reader platforms.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Holmes Collection
Where is it heading?
The market for niche archival apps is stable but limited, as users prioritize content availability over frequent feature updates. Holmes Collection will maintain its current user base so long as the existing content remains accessible, but it risks obsolescence if platform-level OS changes break the current playback functionality.
- The 1,452-day update gap suggests the app is in maintenance mode, prioritizing content stability over feature expansion.
The SWOT
- Archival audio content acts as a retention hook for niche fans of old-time radio.
- Public domain library serves as the primary value proposition to drive initial app installs.
- Implementation of basic search or bookmarking would improve user navigation within the large library.
Next best moves
Audit library navigation because the current structure lacks search or bookmarking → improve user retention
The counter-intuitive read
The app's lack of updates is a feature for its target audience…
Read the full takeBottom line
Holmes Collection serves its core audience through content aggregation, but the 4-year update gap leaves it vulnerable to modern readers who prioritize cross-device sync and active feature support.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Holmes Collection free to use?
Does Holmes Collection work offline?
What is the difference between Holmes Collection and a standard e-reader?
Sources
- [1] App Store, source
Report last updated