Apple Books vs Audible

2024. Audible implemented AI-generated recommendations



Audible, the Amazon-owned audiobook service, continues to experiment with AI to improve audiobook discovery and offer customized recommendations. The latest feature - AI-powered tags, which analyze customer feedback to offer suggestions according to individual preferences and topic pages that helps users to find similar audio books. The experiment is only available to USA users with iOS and Android devices. Through a new “Tags” carousel in the app, Audible’s AI analyzes customer reviews and briefly explains why other listeners enjoyed a specific audiobook. This allows you to quickly get to the point without having to read numerous reviews.


2024. Audible recruits actors to train voice-generating AI for audiobooks



Audible, Amazon’s audiobook division, revealed that it will develop AI trained on the voices of professional narrators to produce new audiobook recordings. A select group of audiobook narrators based in the U.S. will be invited to train the AI with their voices starting this week, according to Audible. The trained AI will be employed to generate recordings and narrators will have the opportunity to approve their synthetic voice for particular works, as well as modify the pronunciation and pacing. Audible states that narrators who engage in the program will be compensated for any audiobooks produced using their AI-generated voices on a title-by-title, royalty-sharing basis.


2024. Audible is testing an AI-powered search feature



Audible is testing a new AI-powered search feature called "Maven" to help users refine their audiobook searches. Starting today, a select group of U.S. customers can use Maven, a personal recommendation expert, to receive tailored title suggestions by entering natural language queries like "I’m looking for an uplifting fiction novel with a female protagonist." Maven, accessible on iOS and Android devices, draws recommendations from Audible's extensive catalog of nearly one million titles. Initially, around half of Audible's U.S. customers across all membership plans will have access to this feature, which currently applies to a limited portion of the audiobook library.


2024. New AI tool helps authors release more audiobooks on Amazon



Audible now boasts an impressive catalog of 40,000 audiobook titles narrated by AI-generated voices, made possible by a new tool introduced by Amazon. Available to self-published authors affiliated with the Kindle Store, this free tool, still in beta testing, facilitates the conversion of books into audiobooks with remarkable efficiency. The rapid production of audiobooks using this tool contrasts starkly with the prolonged process required with human narrators, offering significant time and cost savings for authors. However, concerns arise regarding the listener experience, as many struggle to distinguish AI-generated audiobooks from traditional ones, despite some being labeled accordingly. Additionally, there is apprehension regarding the potential impact on the livelihoods of human voice narrators in the future.


2023. Audible launches app for smart watches



Audible has unveiled its Wear OS application, broadening the horizons for audiobook enthusiasts using Android-based smartwatches. This app enables users to download audiobooks for offline listening and adjust the playback speed of their podcasts according to their preferences. Additionally, it allows users to directly choose audiobooks from their library on their Galaxy Watch that runs Wear OS. This integration provides newfound freedom to users, allowing them to enjoy their beloved books without being tied to their smartphones. Essentially, the Audible Wear OS app offers a seamless and intuitive audiobook experience for Android smartwatch users. Whether you're on the go or taking a break from your smartphone, Audible on Wear OS provides a fresh way to immerse yourself in your favorite books anytime, anywhere.


2023. Audible is testing ad-supported access



Audible is testing ad-supported access to select titles for non-members. The move indicates that the company may be exploring the possibility of an ad-based membership option. Audible declined to comment on any specific plans. The test includes audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals. Audible says the test applies to a limited subsection of titles on its platform. Content providers were informed of the change and given the chance to opt out of ads. Users who are part of the test will hear a total of eight ads within a 24-hour period. Audible says it has taken additional measures to make sure that ads won’t be heard too frequently within a short time span. The company currently offers an Audible Plus membership plan that costs $7.95 per month and includes a selection of Audible Originals, audiobooks, sleep tracks, meditation programs and podcasts.


2023. Apple Books is bringing back page turn animation on iOS



Apple is reintroducing page turn animation in the Books app with the latest iOS 16.4 beta for iPhone and iPad. When the update rolls out, users will be able to enjoy the classic page turn CURL animation, allowing them to swipe and gesture to peek at the next page or simply turn it as they would with a physical book. Currently, Apple Books only features the swipe animation, which results in an abrupt page turn that feels somewhat like swiping between slides. This is the default in iOS 16.4; however, you can manually set the page turns to one of four different options: Curl, Side, Infinite Scrolling and None. I know many users who stopped using the Apple Books app when iOS 15 removed the animations and switched to alternative apps that have always included them, such as Kindle.


2023. Apple Books launches catalog of AI-narrated audiobooks



Apple Books has introduced a collection of books narrated by artificial intelligence, a move that could signal the start of a decline for human narrators. This strategy represents an effort to disrupt the profitable and rapidly growing audiobook market. However, it also brings the likelihood of increased scrutiny regarding accusations of Apple's anti-competitive conduct. Within Apple's Books app, a search for "AI narration" unveils a selection of works featured in this initiative. These works are described as having been "narrated by a digital voice based on a human narrator." Although there could be potential backlash from professional voice actors, authors themselves are increasingly being requested to personally narrate their own books. For writers, there exists a financial incentive in terms of upfront payments and broader accessibility of their creations.


2022. Apple Books is getting a bunch of new features in iOS 16



In iOS 16, which will be released this Fall, the reading app Apple Books will introduce new features that let you tailor the reading experience to your preferences. You'll have the option to select reading themes for various settings and moods, or modify the font, spacing, text size and other preferences. The audiobook player will be revamped with updated controls and a mini player that allows you to continue listening while browsing the store. You can also purchase books directly from the player while previewing them. The updated Apple Books experience will be available for both iPad and iPhone. In iOS 15, a toolbar at the top of the app offered access to the chapter index, font settings, search tools and bookmarks, but in iOS 16, these features have been relocated to the bottom of the app.


2022. You can no longer buy audiobooks on Audible for Android



Audible is altering their app experience on the Android platform. They are transitioning to Google Play Billing, which will impact individual title purchases; you will no longer be able to buy them directly. Additionally, new Audible memberships will be billed through Google Play rather than directly through Audible. You will still be able to use Audible credits to purchase books within the app and can also acquire additional credits there. This change is due to a new Google Policy for developers, which now imposes a 30% fee on each digital good for larger companies that earn over $1 million annually.


2022. Audible ties up with Wattpad



Audible has teamed up with the online social reading platform Wattpad, according to Indianexpress. The partnership will make the most popular stories from Wattpad accessible to Audible members in audiobook format. The Amazon-owned platform intends to add more Wattpad titles throughout 2022. Additionally, the advantage for Audible members is that these stories will be available at no cost. Audible stated that they are investing heavily in the Indian market and believe that offering more regional language audiobooks and podcasts will help them reach a larger segment of the audience.


2021. Waze now allows to stream Audible-audiobooks when driving a car



Mobile navigation app Waze, which provides driving directions, has integrated with Audible, enabling drivers to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Audible subscribers can begin enjoying audio content directly within Waze, including Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts. Drivers can access over 600,000 Audible Originals and a vast amount of additional content. Waze already connects with numerous other audio apps, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, Pandora, NPR and others.


2020. Audible is changing its subscription packages



Audible has introduced a new subscription package, Audible Plus, which will offer subscribers access to 68,000 hours of content from over 11,000 original productions, audiobooks and podcasts. The new plan will be available for $7.95 per month. They are also rebranding their Audible Gold program to Audible Premium Plus, which costs $14.95 per month. Essentially, Audible Plus will provide users with access to podcasts and original content but will not include credits. Current Audible members will be able to access the new Plus library starting today. New users will be able to subscribe to the Audible Plus service beginning August 27th.


2020. Audible updated library management on iOS



Audiobook service Audible has updated its library system in the iOS app. Users can now organize their audiobooks by genre or create custom collections. If you’re managing multiple audiobooks, you can now sort titles by listening status. The new “Titles” feature allows you to filter your titles into categories like started, not-started and finished. Books are automatically arranged by genre for effortless organization. You can also create your own custom folders and collections, naming them uniquely and adding titles for personalized organization. The new Favorites section provides easy access to your most frequently listened-to titles, allowing you to re-listen to them repeatedly.


2020. Apple Books giving away hundreds of free books



Apple Books has announced that several hundred audiobooks and ebooks are now available for free. Open the Apple Books app and scroll through the featured section to find one labeled ‘Free Books.’ This offer is available exclusively to US customers. You can explore free books, read-alongs for children, cozy mysteries and audiobooks for the entire family. Apple is also highlighting that users can choose a free novel from the company’s “First in a Series, Free” section. The app features a broad selection of titles for both adults and children, ranging from Sesame Street to HG Wells and includes well-known works like *Pride and Prejudice* in audiobook format. Depending on your location, the app also offers classic titles from authors such as Shakespeare.


2020. Audible is giving away hundreds of stories for kids



"For as long as schools are closed, we're open." That's Audible's new slogan, promising a significant impact in households around the globe. Audible has recently announced that hundreds of their child-friendly titles are available completely free of charge with no strings attached. There's no need to register or log in—just click the link and start listening. So, if your little ones are feeling restless and you don’t have time to read to them yourself, let Audible take over. There are stories suitable for all ages, from *Winnie-the-Pooh* for your young toddler to *The Mystery of Alice* for your tween. Additionally, there are numerous options in Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese. You can stream all these titles on your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet.


2019. Apple Books adds Reading Goals



Apple will introduce reading goals in Apple Books. This feature will be accessible for audiobooks and ebooks when iOS 13 launches later this year. Apple described the system as follows: “Read a book or listen to an audiobook for five minutes while waiting in line for coffee, during your commute, or before bed to meet your Daily Reading Goal. Build streaks to celebrate your successes and share books you’ve completed with the Books Read this Year collection.” Reading Goals will be available on any iOS 13 device, such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Mac computers. It is currently unclear if badges and achievements will be awarded or if it will simply serve as a daily reading target for audiobooks and ebooks. More details will be revealed when the public beta is released next month.


2019. Audible.com brings Choose Your Own Adventure Stories to Alexa devices



Amazon's Audible is experimenting with Choose Your Own Adventure-style stories for Alexa devices by launching professionally narrated, voice-activated narratives in collaboration with the publisher of the original Choose Your Own Adventure book series, ChooseCo. You might recall ChooseCo from its lawsuit against Netflix over a *Black Mirror* episode. The company argued that Netflix didn't secure the appropriate license to use the “Choose Your Own Adventure” trademark. Nevertheless, ChooseCo appears to be leveraging the publicity and Netflix’s success in popularizing this interactive storytelling concept with a tech-savvy, younger audience.


2018. Audible brings its audiobook library to the Apple Watch



Amazon-owned audiobook platform Audible has just launched its Apple Watch app. You can listen to audiobooks and manage your library directly from the compact screen. It’s a logical advancement for the service, considering the emphasis Apple has placed on smartwatch audio, with last year’s introduction of an LTE version of the watch and the recent unveiling of a native podcasting app for the platform. This also contributes to justifying the recent addition of Aaptiv fitness routines, which Audible integrated a few weeks ago. The feature made some sense on the phone, but bringing the course directly to a fitness/health-oriented device like the Apple Watch helps complete that vision. Those workout and meditation resources are free to Audible users until September of next year.


2018. iBooks rebrands as Apple Books



Apple iBooks will be rebranded as Apple Books with the release of iOS 12 later this year. It will also undergo a major redesign. A new "Reading Now" feature will display the audiobook and eBook you are currently reading and provide an indication of your progress in each title. This will be shown as an open book with the book title beneath it. The current iBooks app has sections for My Books, Featured, Top Charts, Search and Purchased at the bottom. This will be updated to Reading Now, Library, Bookstore, Audiobooks and Search. This change will make it easier to access the audiobook section, which currently requires you to open the bookstore and then click on the audiobooks tab.