Letterboxd, Goodreads and Airbuds are apps that allow users to track their media consumption in an interactive and social way
By AALIYAH ESPAÑOL-RIVAS — arts@theaggie.org
It is nearly impossible to remember every piece of media you’ve ever consumed. From film, TV shows, music and books, there is no guarantee one will be able to recall a movie they watched eight years ago. However, many apps have been created with the intent to provide users with the ability to log every piece of media they have ever consumed. Mixed with rating systems, lists and social aspects, these three apps make logging media activity enjoyable.
Letterboxd is a social media platform that allows users of varying interests in film to log, rate and share every film they have seen. Founded by Matthew Buchanan in 2011, the app was initially launched in New Zealand.
“[Letterboxd was] designed to foster a community of film lovers who would share, log, rate and watchlist films,” the Letterboxd website reads.
The platform now has over 13 million users across more than 190 countries. For Joselino De la Rosa, a second-year human biology major, he enjoys using Letterboxd as an avid movie watcher.
“I’ve been using Letterboxd for two years now and wish I could’ve downloaded it sooner,” De la Rosa said. “I heard about it from a friend and thought it was so cool to have a place where I could track every movie I’ve seen and refer back to it whenever I wanted, with all my notes and thoughts on the film. Also, I like how I can see what my friends log and read their opinions on films I’ve seen.”
For music lovers, Airbuds is an app that allows users to share their music listening history from apps such as Spotify or Apple Music with friends, with the option of adding a widget on their phone screen that shares what their friends are listening to. Launched in 2023, the app takes what people love about “Spotify Wrapped” and “Apple Music Replay,” making user listening habits accessible year-round with features such as “Weekly Recap” and “Daily Roundup.” Additionally, users can “react” to their friend’s listening habits with emojis.
Evelyn Romero, a second-year political science major, uses Airbuds because she likes connecting with her friends and family through music.
“I like following my friends and family on Airbuds, because I think that through music, you are able to build a connection with others and bond over similar things,” Romero said. “Not only are you able to view what others are listening to but you can also view your music compatibility score with them, it’s so fun.”
As for bookworms, Goodreads is an app where you can track what books you’ve read and write recommendations for other users to see. Launched in 2007 by Otis Chandler and Elizabeth Khuri Chandler, the app was later acquired by Amazon and now has over 150 million users.
“[Goodreads] is a place where you can see what your friends are reading and vice versa. You can create ‘bookshelves’ to organize what you’ve read (or want to read). You can comment on each other’s reviews. You can find your next favorite book. And on this journey with your friends you can explore new territory, gather information, and expand your mind,” the Goodreads website reads.
Andrea Rojas Norato, a second-year political science major, loves using Goodreads to look back on how she felt reading certain books and their impact on her life.
“I love that I can go back and read a review I wrote about a book I found impactful (or not) at the time and why I felt that way,” Norato said. “It’s like traveling back in time to see what the me from the past was feeling.”
Next time you blank when someone asks you for a book recommendation, forget if you watched a certain movie or want to know what artists to listen to less before your “Spotify Wrapped,” consider using these three apps to refer back to your media consumption this 2025.
Written by: Aaliyah Español-Rivas — arts@theaggie.org
