Kura

Kura is a vinyl and CD collection management app designed for music collectors who want to identify, organize, and understand their physical music collections down to the exact pressing. Built for iPhone, Kura uses the device's camera to read information from record labels, barcodes, and runouts, helping collectors determine which specific edition or pressing they own. Rather than simply identifying an album or artist, the platform focuses on distinguishing individual pressings and showing the evidence behind each identification.

One of Kura's central features is its pressing identification system. When a collector scans a record, the app examines details such as the catalogue number, label information, barcode, matrix, runout, country, year, and format. These details are compared to identify the specific pressing represented by the physical copy. Kura also explains how it reached its result by displaying the relevant evidence field by field. When the available information is not sufficient to confidently identify a pressing, the app is designed to acknowledge the uncertainty instead of presenting an unsupported result.

Kura is also designed for use while shopping for records. At a record store or secondhand shop, collectors can point their iPhone camera at an album and quickly determine what it is and whether a copy of the same pressing is already in their personal collection. This can make browsing crates more practical, especially for collectors with large libraries who may not remember every album or edition they already own.

The app provides tools for managing what happens after a record becomes part of the collection. Users can keep track of information associated with individual copies, including the price they paid, the condition of the record, and how many times they have played it. This creates a more detailed record of the physical collection and can help collectors understand which records they actually use and which ones remain untouched on their shelves.

Kura also includes listening and discovery features. Collectors can log the records they play and rate them while listening. By keeping track of listening activity, the application can help users rediscover albums already sitting in their collection and identify records they have not played recently. This turns the collection from a static inventory into something that can also reflect the owner's listening habits.

Another important aspect of Kura is its approach to collection value. Rather than automatically displaying the lowest asking price found for an album in any condition or edition, Kura emphasizes the distinction between asking prices and actual sold prices. The platform aims to provide value information only when it can support the figure with real sales data for the exact pressing. This approach is intended to give collectors a more meaningful understanding of what a particular copy may be worth.

Kura is currently in beta and is available for iPhone through TestFlight by invitation. Users can join the beta by providing their email address and can provide feedback when the application incorrectly identifies a record. The app supports English, Japanese, German, French, and Spanish.