Audible.com Brings Out Their App

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/audible-reaches-iphone-finally/' target='_blank'>http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/...iphone-finally/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Good news for those of you who love to listen to an audiobook before bed: Audible, the Internet's number one digital audiobook provider, has just released a free iPhone application that works like a charm."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1279458985.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I never really got into audiobooks because, while I can see the appeal, listening to various podcasts was something I liked better. But if you do like the audiobook method for "reading," you can now get Audible.com on your iPhone/iPod Touch. The app is free, but there is a monthly subscription for the service. Right now they are offering a discounted price of $7.95 USD per month for the first three months on their Gold Plan [<a href="http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/offers/chooseAPlan.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes" target="_blank">link</a>], and then $14.95 USD per month after that. I see they also offer podcasts and magazines so I may investigate further. Do you use Audible, and if so, how do you like it?&nbsp;</p>

[Brad Adrian]

I wasn't sure I would use audio books much, either, back when I started using Audible back in 2001. However, all it took was one cross-country drive with my family to learn their value. Once we hit the road with me driving, my wife usually cracks open her traditional books, my kids crank up the DVD players and/or iPods and I start up my audio books. With a steering wheel-mounted iPod control, it can make a 700-mile drive go much more quickly, especially if I load up a variety of 5+ hour books.

In the past, some users have complained about Audible's download/install application, but in recent years (and since its integration with iTunes) the download and installation process has been much improved. It used to be a lengthy, two-stage ordeal, but now that it's integrated with iTunes, it is a much faster, single-stage process.

[ptyork]

I too have been an Audible addict since 2001 (Saturday will be my ninth anniversary). Honestly, it is the #1 reason I've still got my iPhoine. I've accumulated over 40GB of books, and I've listened to at least 35GB of them!! Whether doing yardwork, driving (short or long trips, it matters not), or just chillaxin with a cigar late at night, I take every opportunity to listen to something. I'm still grandfathered into a $14 => 2 books per month plan (here's hoping they NEVER take it away).

Anyway, I gotta say that the iPod/iTunes experience with Audible is so good that I can't really see the point of this app. I guess perhaps that "on the road...I wonder if they have THIS book...I'd like to use my monthly book credit to download it NOW" kind of use case, but that seems really rare. The really need to focus on the devices that don't have built-in support (i.e., webOS, Symbian, Android (currently in beta), WM7, etc.). But, I'm sure I'll download it, just in case...