Orpheus 2.0 Has Arrived

Today, I’d like to introduce Orpheus 2.0! This is the next chapter for Orpheus, and I’m excited to announce that it’s now a multi-platform app. You can download it on Google Play for Android, the App Store for iOS, or use it directly on the Web from any device. This means Orpheus is more accessible than ever, making managing sheet music easy for years to come.

You’ll find the same user-friendly design you’re accustomed to, plus a bunch of new features and improvements:

• Google Drive integration in addition to the pre-existing Dropbox and local storage options
• Camera scan so you can take a photo of physical sheet music to add it to your Orpheus library
• Better account management – use Orpheus on multiple devices or upgrade devices more easily
• Full annotations support for all file formats (PDF, PNG, JPG, DOC, DOCX)
• Language selector to control language from Orpheus > Settings
• iOS app – use Orpheus on iPhone and iPad
• Web app – use Orpheus on any device with a web browser (eg tablet running Windows, Linux, etc)

A New Foundation, Familiar Philosophy

Under the hood, Orpheus 2.0 is built on a completely new codebase. This significant effort means Orpheus is now ready for the future, offering a more stable and faster experience. What hasn’t changed is Orpheus’s core philosophy: minimalism and good design remain at the heart of the product. I’m also thrilled that Orpheus is now available on more platforms than ever – iOS and web, in addition to Android – so you can access your music on whatever device you like best.

Important: Why Orpheus 2.0 is a Separate App

For long-time users, it’s important to understand that Orpheus 2.0 is being released as a brand-new, separate app, rather than an update to your existing Orpheus installation. I understand this might seem unusual, and I want to explain why I’ve taken this path.

The original Orpheus app, which many of you have been using for years, has served incredibly well. However, its underlying structure is now over 10 years old! It just wasn’t designed for the cross-platform capabilities being added. Due to these substantial changes, upgrading the existing app directly would have risked major data loss – specifically, losing your annotations, set lists, settings and subscription entitlements. There was also no way to communicate about this directly with users (I’ve never collected email addresses). An update that risks data loss, or forces users through a surprise migration next time they turn it on, was unfeasible. Instead, I’ve opted to release Orpheus 2.0 as an independent app, putting you in control of when (and if) you upgrade. You’re welcome to continue using your current version of Orpheus for as long as you like, or make the switch to 2.0 when you’re ready (ie at home over a cup of tea, not on stage at a gig!)

Existing Users: Steps to Upgrade

1. Install Orpheus 2.0 at a time when you have 5-10 mins to get set up. You’ll need to create an account, tell it where to find your sheet music folders, and re-create any set lists.
2. Start using the new Orpheus 2.0. Once you’re comfortable, you can uninstall the old version of Orpheus.
3. If you had a subscription on the old Orpheus, it’s not automatically transferred. You will need to cancel it on Google Play, then re-subscribe to Pro from within Orpheus 2.0 if you wish.

Thanks for your understanding, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need help at any stage.

Looking Ahead

To all existing users, thank you for being part of the Orpheus community for all these years. And to new users, welcome aboard! I’m excited for you to experience Orpheus 2.0, and hope these new features will make your musical journey even more enjoyable.

I always value thoughts and feedback from fellow musicians, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me about Orpheus 2.0. Here’s to the next chapter of Orpheus!

Maeve Lander is a software developer by day, trumpeter and arranger by night. She created Orpheus ~10 years ago, when Android was first born. It has gone through iteration over the years, but has always held true to the original vision; a minimalist sheet music reader that just does one thing, really well.