The public library is one of the ways that savvy users can get free audiobooks and ebooks. They can be read on your smartphone, tablet or e-readers. Kobo e-readers are especially good since they have Overdrive integration in all their devices, making browsing, borrowing, and reading possible. One downfall of libraries' digital shelves is that users can be put on a waitlist for … [Read more...] about Seattle Library is decreasing the number of holds for ebooks
Audiobook News
Should Apple release an unlimited service for ebooks?
Amazon is the largest company that offers unlimited service, where, for a low monthly fee, you can access more than 4 million digital books, as well as thousands of audiobooks, comics, and magazines. Once you activate your subscription, you can download titles from the Kindle Unlimited catalogue immediately. Rakuten Kobo has a similar program; however, they split it up so users … [Read more...] about Should Apple release an unlimited service for ebooks?
HarperCollins to produce AI-generated Audiobooks
HarperCollins Publishers has joined forces with ElevenLabs, a pioneering leader in AI voice technology to produce audiobooks for its foreign language business, The Bookseller reported. With this collaboration, HarperCollins is looking to diversify its audiobook catalog using ElevenLabs's cutting-edge text-to-speech tool. This innovative approach will help reduce the cost and … [Read more...] about HarperCollins to produce AI-generated Audiobooks
Spotify audiobook listening jumps 470% following the release of the film and TV adaptation
Spotify said each time a film gets released, the audiobook adaptation of the same witnesses a massive surge in demand, The Wrap reported. The company said that on average, they witnessed a huge 470 percent increase in audiobook consumption during the week following the release of a film or a television adaptation.For instance, there has been Shōgun by James Clavell, two … [Read more...] about Spotify audiobook listening jumps 470% following the release of the film and TV adaptation
Has the Walmart and Kobo partnership ended?
Walmart and Rakuten Kobo partnered in 2018 to sell e-readers in over 1,000 US locations and online. As soon as this partnership was established, Walmart launched Walmart ebooks, where users who bought an e-reader from Walmart could buy ebooks through them. There was a dedicated Walmart ebooks app for Android and iOS that made things easier. Right off the bat, things were rocky. … [Read more...] about Has the Walmart and Kobo partnership ended?
Scribd now rebranded as Everand
Scribd, the file-sharing platform that also hosts e-books and audiobooks is no more. To put it in the right perspective, the company is now renamed as Everand. Earlier, there used to be three separate entities - Everand, Scribd, and SlideShare that users had access to.Also, each was confined to their respective domains. For instance, user-uploaded documents used to be … [Read more...] about Scribd now rebranded as Everand
New ebooks available on Amazon First Reads for April
Amazon First Reads is a program that Amazon runs, that anyone can participate. Every month a pool of 8 ebook titles are refreshed and encompass a wide array of genres and publishers. Users can select one book and pay $1.99 to download it and the title is yours to keep. For the month of April there are a number of notable titles, such as Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood. You … [Read more...] about New ebooks available on Amazon First Reads for April
Spotify introduces its subscriber audiobook system in Canada
Here is an exciting piece of news for bookworms and audiobook enthusiasts. Spotify announced it is introducing an additional perk – 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening at no extra cost to its Premium users in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. The plan starts on April 9. Worth mentioning, that the feature so far has been available in the US, UK, and Australia for a few … [Read more...] about Spotify introduces its subscriber audiobook system in Canada
Its curtains down for Google Podcasts, transitions to YouTube Podcasts
It’s the end of the road for Google Podcasts. Come April 2 and we will be seeing the last of the Google podcast service. While this might seem like the end of an era, well, that isn’t the case. Rather the fact is, Google isn't quitting the podcasting realm. Rather, as ArsTechnica reported, it's going to come back rebranded as YouTube Podcasts and hopefully, it checks most of … [Read more...] about Its curtains down for Google Podcasts, transitions to YouTube Podcasts
Audiobooks – Here is how and where it stands
Audiobooks along with other aural forms of digital media such as podcasts or online radio have been making steady inroads in our lives of late. If you need quantitative proof of the trend, here it is. The 2024 Infinite Dial Report for Edison Research has revealed that the percentage of Americans listening to audiobooks has reached an all-time high. The report reveals that more … [Read more...] about Audiobooks – Here is how and where it stands
Amazon Spring Sale offer: Three months of Audible subscription for just 99p
Amazon has announced its first-ever Spring Sale, and it's bringing some exciting deals for book lovers. As part of the sale, Amazon is offering a fantastic Audible deal that's too good to miss. For a limited time, new subscribers can enjoy three months of audiobooks for just 99p, express.co.uk reported. Typically, an Audible subscription would cost £7.99 per month, giving you … [Read more...] about Amazon Spring Sale offer: Three months of Audible subscription for just 99p
eBook revenues were up in 2023 and generated $1.0 billion
Digital book revenues in the United States were up 0.6% in 2023, generating $1.0 billion. Digital audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment in digital publishing, and sales were up 14.9%, reaching $864.0 million in revenue. Physical Audio was down 16.2%, coming in at $12.9 million; this shows that digital audiobooks are killing off the tape and CD market.Trade revenues … [Read more...] about eBook revenues were up in 2023 and generated $1.0 billion
Audible Launches New Sleep Collection Ahead Of World Sleep Day
Audible has introduced 40 new sleep and relaxation-focused titles, expanding on the recently launched Sleep Collection. These new bedtime stories, extended soundscapes, sound baths, and more are free to Audible members and include bedtime stories from Curtis Stone and Tony Shalhoub. Additional titles will be added weekly through June 8, including new Sleep playlists aimed at … [Read more...] about Audible Launches New Sleep Collection Ahead Of World Sleep Day
Spotify to Launch ‘Countdown Pages’ for Audiobooks
Image credit: Spotify Recently, Spotify has announced the launch of a new feature called ‘Countdown Pages’ to be launched next month. It will allows Spotify users to pre-save audiobooks before their release date, while publishers and authors can promote their work before the launch.These YouTube-like Countdown Pages were launched alongside other new additions for Spotify’s … [Read more...] about Spotify to Launch ‘Countdown Pages’ for Audiobooks