[b]BRIMSTONE CORE AUDIO – DECEMBER 2026 PREVIEW[/b]
[i]Your music. Your memories. Your Meridian.[/i]

After months of testing, we're aiming for a December release that brings easier installation, better recovery and much more than an ordinary music library. We're keeping older hi-fi useful, not telling everyone to replace it. Here's what's coming; anything still in development is described as a target, not a finished feature.

[b]A simpler, safer Core[/b]

For December we're developing a new Debian installer with a clear choice of normal system, backup system or recovery tools. A protected, largely immutable operating system and an A/B-style recovery design aim to make updates easier to roll back if something goes wrong. Two or more drives are recommended so music and personal data can remain separate from the operating system. These are release targets, not a reason to stop making backups.

[b]Your own music — and concert films[/b]

Core brings your owned albums, bootlegs, radio, podcasts, audiobooks and concert media into one organised library. It is designed for high-resolution stereo and multichannel playback, with continuing support for Meridian/Sooloos and compatible audio endpoints. Supported import workflows include audio CDs, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray Audio and suitable DVD/Blu-ray concert recordings, subject to the disc, equipment, format and applicable rights. Concert video playback on iPad and Apple TV is part of the December release plan.

[b]Control wherever you listen[/b]

Control runs across macOS, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, with its own layout for each screen. CarPlay is integrated: music can be streamed from your Core or downloaded to the iPhone to play offline. Your own collection remains the centre of the experience, whether at your desk, in the living room or in the car.

[b]A look at the running beta software[/b]
[url=https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/macos-control-15oct2026.jpg]macOS Control · 15 October beta[/url]
[img]https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/macos-control-15oct2026.jpg[/img]

[url=https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/iphone-control-05oct2026.jpg]iPhone Control · October beta[/url]
[img]https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/iphone-control-05oct2026.jpg[/img]

[url=https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/ipad-control-05oct2026.jpg]iPad Control · October beta[/url]
[img]https://core-audio.uk/assets/december-2026/ipad-control-05oct2026.jpg[/img]

[b]Gig Guide: keep the memories, not just the tickets[/b]

The Gig Guide is a personal, interactive record of concerts you've attended. Add your photographs, scanned tickets, notes, memories, sound and video to each gig; browse and enjoy the digital version on your own computer.

For December we are targeting an optional professionally printed hardback. The proposed standard sizes are UK A4 and US Letter, with a target book price of £15 including Brimstone's 50p contribution; postage is additional. The printer, page allowance and final price still need confirming. Where practical, printed QR codes can point back to your media, whether privately hosted or deliberately shared online. We hope to offer direct ordering from within the system.

[b]More ways to enjoy and preserve music[/b]

Eligible material from the Addams, Jacob and other Internet Archive collections will become easier to browse and download through updates over the following months. That includes freely available audiobooks and historical recordings where downloading and reuse are permitted.

We also plan optional ordering of CDs, vinyl records and cassettes at a later date, with a proposed 50p contribution to Brimstone per order. Manufacturing prices, postage, availability and rights requirements will be confirmed before that service launches.

[b]Which computers will run Core?[/b]

Debian remains the main dedicated Core platform. Native macOS Core editions for Intel x64 and Apple Silicon M-series computers are the other focus, including compatible older hardware. Standalone Windows Core development is not continuing; we're concentrating testing and support on the platforms we can maintain properly.

[b]What's next?[/b]

December 2026 is our Core and Control release target, with the revamped installation and recovery work, concert media and interactive Gig Guide. By March 2027 we aim to provide both remote streaming of your own Core library and integrations with supported third-party streaming services. From May 2027, the Gig Guide is planned to help you find upcoming gigs near you. All dates are targets and depend on testing and partner availability.

[b]A note for beta testers[/b]

Please back up your music, Gig Guide memories, settings and downloads before any future beta upgrade. The move to protected operating-system layouts and a multi-drive recovery design may involve storage migration. Do not treat an unfinished beta as a substitute for a verified backup.

More information and current test downloads: [url=https://core-audio.uk/downloads.html]https://core-audio.uk/downloads.html[/url]
Full preview with screenshots: [url=https://core-audio.uk/december-2026.html]https://core-audio.uk/december-2026.html[/url]

Thanks to everyone testing and reporting problems. Your music belongs to you; your equipment deserves to keep playing.