10-28-2004, 02:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Free Audible Listening For Windows Media Player 10
Here's a bit of interesting news for users of the new Windows Media Player 10:
"Audible, Inc., the provider of digitally delivered spoken word audio, today announced it has teamed up with Microsoft to provide Windows Media Player 10 users with easy access to more than 55,000 hours of entertaining and engaging digital audio programs available for download and transfer to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs. Audible expects to achieve compatibility with other portable devices in the near future. As part of the launch in Windows Media Player 10, Audible is offering free streams of best-selling audiobooks as well as a free month of the AudibleListener(R) membership to users of Windows Media Player 10."
I've used Audible for quite a while now, mostly because their selection of audio books has just the kinds of titles I like to keep me awake and entertained during long car trips. So, I think that giving away a bit of free listening to users of the new Windows Media Player 10 is a pretty good idea; I think once you give Audible a try, you may end up enjoying it as much as I do. Be prepared, though. As great as their content is, the Audible site is notoriously slow, users have to go through a cumbersome process for registering their listening devices/PCs and their DRM methods can be a real pain.
But, hey, give the free content a try and decide for yourself if Audible is for you.
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10-28-2004, 02:18 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 454
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Actually, in this case it's up to my OEM to decide if Audible is right for me. RRR! :evil:
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10-28-2004, 02:19 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5
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Free Audible Listening For Windows Media Player 10
I am still stuck on the fact that I am on my third PPC and Microsoft can't offer an upgrade to the end user. I would love to have everything on my PPC that MS has to offer, but makes no sense to buy new equipment.
As far as Audible, I listen to books constantly in the car.
John
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10-28-2004, 02:53 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 204
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Audible is crap for me!!!! I have subscribed for over a year and their player is useless you have to use MS Reader instead.
Also be warned since there is no option to unsubscribe!!!! I have been trying for the past 3 months to cancel my subscription without out luck!!! If someone from audible reads this it will be very interesting to hear any excuses for not giving an option to unsubscribe in the user account settings!!!!
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10-28-2004, 03:18 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 65
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Re: Free Audible Listening For Windows Media Player 10
Quote:
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Originally Posted by jhmurray
I am still stuck on the fact that I am on my third PPC and Microsoft can't offer an upgrade to the end user. I would love to have everything on my PPC that MS has to offer, but makes no sense to buy new equipment.
John
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When I first read your comment I thought, "c'mon how is Microsoft supposed to supply a customized version of Windows Mobile to every vendor". But the more I think about it - you may have a point. Microsoft distributes Windows that runs on a multitude types of hardware from various manufacturers.
Is it not possible for Microsoft to develop a 'generic' version of Windows Mobile to run on 'all' devices? Vendors could then supply minimal software updates to enhance their machines (ie. for specialized video accelerators).
When you think about all the PPC devices out there, the basic processors are mostly alike, and the specs are the same (when comparing apples to apples). Even Microsoft could supply a couple versions (one for VGA, one for QVGA).
I'm getting the Dell X50v (whenever it ships) and I'm gratefull that I'll get an opportunity to try audible for free. But I can really sympathize with you on this point. From a technical standpoint I think it's possible for Microsoft to do this.
Silver
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10-28-2004, 03:18 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 56
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You have to call them to unsubscribe. It should have said so in the fine print when you subsrcibed, or if you do a search in the help. Actually it is right on the frontpage of the help, question 10, HERE is the direct link.
It is a very common practice with most companies, especially credit card companies, to make you call them to unsubscribe. That way, they can try to talk you out of unsubscribing or sign you up for something else.
Good Luck.
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10-28-2004, 04:03 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 307
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by paris
Audible is crap for me!!!! I have subscribed for over a year and their player is useless you have to use MS Reader instead.
Also be warned since there is no option to unsubscribe!!!! I have been trying for the past 3 months to cancel my subscription without out luck!!! If someone from audible reads this it will be very interesting to hear any excuses for not giving an option to unsubscribe in the user account settings!!!!
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Yes I can verify this is a problem I did not appreciate. I shouted loudly enough to get a refund in the end. Very bad customer service.
Great content!
Doesn't Bill own this company too?
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10-28-2004, 04:20 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 241
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Heyyas all...
Here is what I have found to be an extremely useful tip in continueing to enjoy Audible content.
Firstly, I hate thier player. It takes forever to load and frequently it loses my place. The Audible Manager doesnt recognize my device half the time and it is almost impossible to use.
Here is the complete workaround which has solved all of my problems.
PocketMind Pocket Player has full support for audible codec 3, and they claim to be working of getting permission from audible to support codec 4.
Install the audible player software and license the device like normal, then never use it. Pocketplayer will read the license file and let you listen to your audio book, it supports as many formats as you want and hardware button can easily be mapped to anything you want. I have never lost a bookmark and it supports microdrive buffering.
You still need to you the Audible manager software to download the books, but once they are downloaded just copy them to your device from c:\progra~1\audible\programs\. You can put them anywhere you want on the pda, and add them to playlists just like any other file, mp3, whatever.
Definately worth checking out as without it I would have personally gone to audible.com hq and burned the place to the ground in frustration and having to hard reset several times trying to get thier lousy software to work. okay not really but it would have made me feel better, because the customer support left something to be desired.
As it is I am perfectly content with this setup and go through my 2 books a month from audible happily.
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10-28-2004, 04:27 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 65
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Does Windows Mobile Media 10 support bookmarks? Anyone?
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10-28-2004, 04:32 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
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I'm feeling quite lucky - I've never had a problem with the Audible software. It could be greatly improved I agree!
My tip is to use it in conjunction with Vito Button Mapper for easy hardware button navigation in the car.
Iain.
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