Amazon adds Audible to its digital empire

Amazon just announced an agreement to acquire Audible Inc. The move, once approved by the Feds and shareholders, leaves Audible.com's 80,000 strong library of audiobooks, radio programs, newspapers, and such in the hands of Amazon. Funny how a company built on a foundation of paper now finds itself knee deep in digital music, books, video and even devices. The $300 Million deal is expected to conclude by Q2, 2008.

[Paul Dunlop @ Jan 31st 2008 8:39AM]

Will be interesting to see how this impacts their existing arrangement with Apple.

[fatfishy @ Jan 31st 2008 8:47AM]

I wonder this means Amazon will keep DRM off the audio books like their new MP3 Store,

[caleb @ Jan 31st 2008 9:06AM]

It seems like the copyright holder must be the book publisher and not Audible, so it may not be Amazons call.

[Seth @ Jan 31st 2008 9:18AM]

I really hope you are right. Not being able to play audible tracks on the devices I choose is the main reason I don't use the service.

[Lars @ Jan 31st 2008 2:08PM]

The main reason I don't use Audible is because they don't have the books I want. I joined and looked for about 30 books, couldn't find any of them, and promptly canceled. I suppose I could dig and dig and find some stuff of interest, but what a waste of time.

[booticon @ Jan 31st 2008 9:08AM]

LINK = TEH BROKE (just take out that second http//)

[Ike Skelton @ Jan 31st 2008 9:17AM]

Wow, those books are expensive... would anyone really pay that much?

[David @ Jan 31st 2008 9:39AM]

I find their subscription service well worth the money. Buying individual books from them without a plan is expensive though

[samrat @ Jan 31st 2008 9:24AM]

It is a good strategy.Kindle with Audible will work better for Amazon.Amazon moving in the right direction.

[lokiju @ Jan 31st 2008 9:29AM]

If this means they'll offer DRM free Audible audio books, then I think it's a good thing.

That proprietary Audible file format is a PITA when trying to get it on a player that doesn't natively support it.

[mattbrown @ Jan 31st 2008 9:34AM]

Hopefully they will do away with that ridiculous .aa format and switch to DRM-free mp3s.

[cheap @ Jan 31st 2008 9:36AM]

Guys DRM for audiobooks isnt that big a deal. You buy the book. listen to it once and then buy another one. DRM only gets in the way when you want to listen to content over and over again.

[Hank Williams @ Jan 31st 2008 9:45AM]

Personally I find it fascinating how people have been trashing the Kindle and they are apparently kicking but. This fits well with that.

As I blogged about earlier today, I think it makes a ton of sense for amazon to focus on real users and a simple design. Audio books fits that perfectly.

http://whydoeseverythingsuck.com/2008/01/amazon-kindle-geek-hate-civilian-love.html

[Lars @ Jan 31st 2008 2:14PM]

The AmazonKindle is pretty impressive IMO. It definitely one-ups Sony's Reader by the cell-phone networking support. Although I don't like the physical design of the Kindle over Sony's Reader, I would probably choose the Kindle. Both of them are just too expensive for me though. I love the concept, but I could buy a hell of a lot of books for $400 instead of just buying a new way to read books.

[Timmy @ Jan 31st 2008 10:05AM]

But will they work on a Zune?

(Crapple AssClown Army leave comments below this line.)

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[Anthony @ Jan 31st 2008 10:26AM]

I love audible. I've been a user since 2005 & can say it's one of the main reasons I just went back to the Nokia N95 over the SE K850i- the playback on the device is much better, syncing is better.

I hope their pricing structure doesn't change. I've been a "legacy member" for some time now so my pricing's never gone up.

[Bizam! @ Jan 31st 2008 10:33AM]

"We are Amazon, We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."

Yep, and the amorphous blob that is Amazon continues to grow.

[Tommy @ Jan 31st 2008 10:50AM]

Noooooo! I LOVE my audible account. Had it for over two years! Now I'm going to have those buffoons over at Amazon screwing it all up, incorporating it in to Amazon's web site, etc. Crap! You just ruined the coolest audiobook site on the web!

[Brandon @ Jan 31st 2008 10:57AM]

I'm confused, hasn't this already happened? Audible has been the primary source for audiobooks on Amazon for a couple of years now. Was that just a "partnership"?

[Roofus @ Jan 31st 2008 11:57AM]

Is audible sans DRM around the corner?

[DR0D @ Jan 31st 2008 12:22PM]

What are the chances Apple will come up with a higher bid?

[scott @ Jan 31st 2008 6:09PM]

I love Audible. I've been a member since 2004 or so. The DRM is a pain in the butt. That's why I strip it out to an mp3 right after purchase.