Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from audible.com offering 12 audiobooks for $119 over a two year period. This is about half as expensive as any of the previous deals they have offered (to me at least), since no monthly commitment is required.
This coincided with the announcement of the Harry Potter audiobooks being available only at iTunes and followed closely on the heels of podcating support in iTunes. There were also a few articles last week about various libraries around the country offering audiobook downloads (with WMA DRM restrictions, so no iPod) to their patrons.
Coincidence? I think not.
The HP deal seems to signal Apple's intention and capability of directly publishing audiobooks, while the development of easy podcasting and library audiobook lending competes directly with audible's subscription offerings.
I'm definitely interested in taking the deal they offered, since I often put off listening to a good book until it becomes available on the used market at a more reasonable price, but can't help but wonder if they are ultimately doomed by the behemoth that is iPod+iTunes.
B
This coincided with the announcement of the Harry Potter audiobooks being available only at iTunes and followed closely on the heels of podcating support in iTunes. There were also a few articles last week about various libraries around the country offering audiobook downloads (with WMA DRM restrictions, so no iPod) to their patrons.
Coincidence? I think not.
The HP deal seems to signal Apple's intention and capability of directly publishing audiobooks, while the development of easy podcasting and library audiobook lending competes directly with audible's subscription offerings.
I'm definitely interested in taking the deal they offered, since I often put off listening to a good book until it becomes available on the used market at a more reasonable price, but can't help but wonder if they are ultimately doomed by the behemoth that is iPod+iTunes.
B
