{{Short description|Online audiobook and podcast service}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox online service | name= Audible, Inc. | logo= frameless|class=skin-invert | launched= {{Start date and age|1995}} | developer= Audible, a subsidiary of Amazon | pricing = Variable subscription and a la carte | platform= Fire OS, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web browser, Wear OS, WatchOS, Windows Phone | website= {{Official URL}} }}
'''Audible''' is an American online audiobook and podcast service that allows users to purchase and stream audiobooks and other forms of spoken-word content. This content can be purchased individually or under a subscription model in which the user receives "credits" that can be redeemed for content monthly and receive access to a curated on-demand library of content. Audible is the United States' largest audiobook producer and retailer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323854904578637850049098298 |title=The New Explosion in Audio Books |work=The Wall Street Journal |author=Alexandra Alter |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163203/https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323854904578637850049098298 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Karen| last=Yi |date=May 21, 2019|title=Renovated church is 'incredible,' but we're part of its history, too, activists say|url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2019/05/renovated-church-is-incredible-but-were-part-of-its-history-too-activists-say.html|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=nj.com|language=en|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163206/https://www.nj.com/essex/2019/05/renovated-church-is-incredible-but-were-part-of-its-history-too-activists-say.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The service is owned by Audible, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amazon.com Completes Acquisition of Audible |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazoncom-completes-acquisition-audible |access-date=October 20, 2021 |publisher=Amazon.com, Inc. |date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163204/https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazoncom-completes-acquisition-audible |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2016nj>{{cite news |last1=Ivers |first1=Dan |title=Audiobook giant Audible to expand operation into historic Newark church |url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2016/01/audible_to_expand_operation_into_historic_newark_c.html |access-date=October 20, 2021 |work=NJ.com |date=January 17, 2019 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222215146/https://www.nj.com/essex/2016/01/audible_to_expand_operation_into_historic_newark_c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== The company's first product was an eponymous portable media player known as the Audible MobilePlayer; released in 1997, the device contained around four megabytes of on-board flash memory storage, which could hold up to two hours of audio. To use the player, consumers would download an audiobook from the Audible website.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Redburn|first=Tom|date=September 23, 1998|title=His Dream Is That We'll All Hear Little Voices|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/23/business/his-dream-is-that-we-ll-all-hear-little-voices.html|access-date=August 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163204/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/23/business/his-dream-is-that-we-ll-all-hear-little-voices.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Newton|first=Casey|date=December 17, 2014|title=Inside the secret lab where Amazon is designing the future of reading|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/12/17/7396525/amazon-kindle-design-lab-audible-hachette|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en-US|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195339/https://www.theverge.com/2014/12/17/7396525/amazon-kindle-design-lab-audible-hachette|url-status=live}}</ref>
On March 11, 1999, Microsoft invested $11 million into the company.<ref name="MSFT-Investment-History">{{Cite web |title=Microsoft, MSFT, Investor Relations, Stock, Stock Split, Stock Price Look up, Investment Calculator |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/investment-history.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416200152/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/investment-history.aspx |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=www.microsoft.com}}</ref><ref name=Katz/> On October 24, 1999, Audible suffered a setback when its CEO, Andrew J. Huffman, died.<ref name="Audible CEO dies">{{cite web | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Audible+President+And+Chief+Executive+Officer+Andrew+J.+Huffman+Dies.-a056877290 | title=Audible President And Chief Executive Officer Andrew J. Huffman Dies. | publisher=PRNewswire | work=Press Release | date=October 25, 1999 | access-date=August 30, 2014 | archive-date=September 3, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903045258/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Audible%20President%20And%20Chief%20Executive%20Officer%20Andrew%20J.%20Huffman%20Dies.-a056877290 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Development proceeded, however, leading to Audible licensing the ACELP codec for its downloads in 2000,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.voiceage.com/news1.php|work= Voice Age|title= Audible Chooses VoiceAge's ACELP.net as Preferred Speech Codec|access-date= December 17, 2006|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061230194600/http://www.voiceage.com/news1.php|archive-date= December 30, 2006|url-status= dead}} Recognition of ACELP.net by the Leading Spoken Audio Service on the Web</ref> and Amazon bought a 5 percent stake in the then-publicly traded company the same year.<ref name=Katz/>
In 2003, Audible reached an agreement with Apple to be the exclusive provider of audiobooks for iTunes Music Store. This agreement ended in 2017 due to antitrust rulings in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Audible's iTunes exclusivity ends following antitrust pushback in Europe|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/19/audible/|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=TechCrunch|date=January 19, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222185719/https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Product_Shot.jpeg?w=600&h=347&crop=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2005, the service released "Audible Air," which allowed users to download audiobooks directly to PDAs and smartphones. Its content would update automatically, downloading chapters as required that would then delete themselves after they had been listened to.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pogue|first=David|date=October 13, 2005|title=A Marriage of Bookshelf and Phone|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/technology/circuits/a-marriage-of-bookshelf-and-phone.html|access-date=August 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163206/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/technology/circuits/a-marriage-of-bookshelf-and-phone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, the company released its A-List collection, which had famous works read by Anne Hathaway and Annette Bening.<ref name=Katz/>
[[File:OneWashingtonParkNewarkRutgersBusinessSchool.JPG|thumb|upright|left|One Washington Park headquarters, in Newark, New Jersey<ref name=2016nj/>]]
In 2007, CEO Donald Katz moved the company headquarters with 125 employees from suburban Wayne, New Jersey to Newark.<ref name=Katz>{{cite web | url=https://www.nj.com/business/2013/12/meet_don_katz_the_visionary_ce.html | title=Meet Don Katz, the visionary CEO of Audible | work=nj | date=December 8, 2013 | access-date=March 23, 2022 | archive-date=February 22, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222214907/https://www.nj.com/business/2013/12/meet_don_katz_the_visionary_ce.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The new headquarters was a high-rise building on One Washington Park.<ref name=2016nj/>
On January 31, 2008, Amazon announced they would purchase Audible for about $300 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-audible-amazon-idUSN3129158120080131|title=Amazon to buy Audible for $300 million|first=Franklin|last=Paul|work=Reuters|date=January 31, 2008|access-date=July 10, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163206/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-audible-amazon-idUSN3129158120080131|url-status=live}}</ref> In April of that year, Audible began producing exclusive science fiction and fantasy audiobooks under its "Audible Frontiers" imprint. At launch, 25 titles were released.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080428005231/en/Audible-Announces-Imprint-Exclusive-Agreements-Orson-Scott | title = Audible Announces New Imprint and Exclusive Agreements with Orson Scott Card and Other Top Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers | date = April 28, 2008 | website = BusinessWire.com | publisher = Berkshire Hathaway Inc. | access-date = November 3, 2015 | archive-date = January 11, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163217/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080428005231/en/Audible-Announces-Imprint-Exclusive-Agreements-Orson-Scott | url-status = live }}</ref>
In May 2011, the service launched Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), an online rights marketplace and production platform.<ref>Paul Guliani, [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2013/01/amazons-audiblecom-sees-ten-fold-increase-in-audiobook-production Amazon's Audible.com sees ten-fold increase in audiobook production] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123142927/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2013/01/amazons-audiblecom-sees-ten-fold-increase-in-audiobook-production |date=January 23, 2014 }}, ''NY Daily News'', January 31, 2013</ref><ref name=humphreys>Max Humphreys, [http://www.nextadvisor.com/blog/2013/02/04/audibles-audiobook-creation-exchange-reports-big-growth-in-2012/ Audible's Audiobook Creation Exchange Reports Big Growth In 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106204531/http://www.nextadvisor.com/blog/2013/02/04/audibles-audiobook-creation-exchange-reports-big-growth-in-2012/ |date=January 6, 2014 }}, NextAdvisor, February 4, 2013</ref><ref>Staff writer, [http://www.publishingtrends.com/2011/08/keeping-up-with-the-new-demand-for-audiobooks-2/ Keeping Up With the New Demand for Audiobooks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802104633/http://www.publishingtrends.com/2011/08/keeping-up-with-the-new-demand-for-audiobooks-2/ |date=August 2, 2022 }}, ''Publishing Trends'', August 1, 2011</ref> The platform was so successful that in 2012, Audible reported it had received more titles from ACX than from its top three audio providers combined.<ref name=humphreys/> In March 2012, Audible launched the A-List Collection, a series showcasing Hollywood stars including Claire Danes, Colin Firth, Anne Hathaway, Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Keaton, Nicole Kidman, and Kate Winslet performing great works of literature. Firth's performance of Graham Greene's ''The End of the Affair'' was named Audiobook of the Year at the Audie Awards in 2013.
The service began offering its narration workshops at acting schools, including Juilliard and Tisch School of the Arts; in 2013, Audible's CEO speculated that the company was the largest single employer of actors in the New York area.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/business/media/actors-today-dont-just-read-for-the-part-reading-is-the-part.html Actors today just don't read for the part, reading is the part] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819011613/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/business/media/actors-today-dont-just-read-for-the-part-reading-is-the-part.html |date=August 19, 2022 }} New York Times, June 30, 2016</ref>
In September 2012, Audible introduced a feature known as "Whispersync for Voice," which allows users to continue audiobooks from where they left off reading them on Amazon Kindle.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2012|title=Kindle And Audible's Whispersync For Voice Review: The Best Of Both Worlds|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Kindle-Audible-Whispersync-Voice-Review-Best-Both-Worlds-48082.html|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=Cinemablend|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222215452/https://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Kindle-Audible-Whispersync-Voice-Review-Best-Both-Worlds-48082.html|url-status=live}}</ref> thumb|upright|The former Second Presbyterian Church in Newark was repurposed as Audible's "Innovation Cathedral".
In 2016, the company announced that it would open a new facility in Newark, New Jersey, the "Innovation Cathedral," in a former Second Presbyterian Church, last used in 1995.<ref name=2016nj/>
In July 2019, a new feature was announced called Audible Captions, in which machine-generated text would be displayed alongside the audio narration. The company was sued by the Association of American Publishers shortly thereafter for copyright violation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 24, 2019|title=American Publishers Sue To Stop 'Audible Captions'|url=https://publishingperspectives.com/2019/08/american-publishers-association-sues-to-stop-audible-captions/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Publishing Perspectives|language=en-US|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163208/https://publishingperspectives.com/2019/08/american-publishers-association-sues-to-stop-audible-captions/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Timothy B.|date=August 24, 2019|title=Book publishers sue Audible to stop new speech-to-text feature|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/book-publishers-sue-audible-to-stop-new-speech-to-text-feature/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222215504/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/book-publishers-sue-audible-to-stop-new-speech-to-text-feature/|url-status=live}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in early 2020, with Audible agreeing not to implement the Captions feature without obtaining express permission.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 7, 2020|title=Copyright: US Publishers Succeed in 'Audible Captions' Case|url=https://publishingperspectives.com/2020/02/copyright-coup-as-association-american-publishers-succeeds-in-audible-captions-case/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Publishing Perspectives|language=en-US|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163207/https://publishingperspectives.com/2020/02/copyright-coup-as-association-american-publishers-succeeds-in-audible-captions-case/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2020, Audible modified its return and exchange policy in response to concerns by authors, who felt that customers were abusing the policy to listen to audiobooks without paying.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 26, 2020|title=Audible adjusts terms after row over 'easy exchanges' that cut royalties|url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/26/audible-adjusts-terms-after-row-over-easy-exchanges-that-cut-royalties-amazon|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222215639/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/26/audible-adjusts-terms-after-row-over-easy-exchanges-that-cut-royalties-amazon|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Content and pricing == {{update section|date=August 2020}} Audible's content includes more than 200,000 audio programs from audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers and business information providers.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Audible |url=http://about.audible.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627021043/http://about.audible.com/ |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |website=about.audible.com}}</ref> Content includes books of all genres, as well as radio shows (classic and current), speeches, interviews, stand-up comedy, and audio versions of periodicals such as ''The New York Times'' and ''The Wall Street Journal''.
The service offered two monthly subscription tiers, "Audible Gold" and "Audible Platinum," priced at $14.95 and $22.95 USD respectively: Both services allow users to obtain credits which can be used to purchase audio books (one whole credit for Gold, and two whole credits on Platinum), while Platinum also included additional incentives such as exclusive discounts. On August 24, 2020, Audible replaced both plans with "Audible Premium Plus" (a renaming of Gold, though with the Platinum pricing and credits grandfathered for existing subscribers), and introduced a new $7.95 subscription tier known as "Audible Plus." Both tiers include access to a curated on-demand library of audiobooks, podcasts, and other original productions, while the Audible Plus tier does not include credits.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Holloway|first=Daniel|date=August 24, 2020|title=Audible Launches New Unlimited Subscription Tier Audible Plus|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/audible-plus-1234746148/|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=July 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728015255/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/audible-plus-1234746148/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Carman|first=Ashley|date=August 24, 2020|title=Audible launches a cheaper subscription plan for access to its exclusive podcasts and audio content|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/24/21398875/audible-plus-premium-subscription-membership-plan-credit|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=October 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028080514/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/24/21398875/audible-plus-premium-subscription-membership-plan-credit|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Liptak|first=Andrew|date=April 10, 2019|title=Audible will now let you keep your membership credits for a full year|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/10/18305191/audible-membership-credits-full-year-monthly-statements-audio-books|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163206/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/10/18305191/audible-membership-credits-full-year-monthly-statements-audio-books|url-status=live}}</ref>
Once a customer has purchased a title, it remains in that person's library and can be downloaded or streamed at any time.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> As of April 1, 2019, credits expire one year after issue, and credits prior to this day expire after two years.<ref name=":3" />
=== Original content === {{expand section|with = description of the function and roles of Amazon Studios|small = no | date = August 2024}} In May 2015, Audible hired Eric Nuzum, formerly VP of programming at NPR, as its SVP of original content development.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://current.org/2015/05/npr-programmer-nuzum-moving-to-audible-to-oversee-original-content/|title=NPR Programmer Nuzum Moving to Audible to Oversee Original Content|last=Sefton|first=Drue|date=May 15, 2015|work=Current|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163208/https://current.org/2015/05/npr-programmer-nuzum-moving-to-audible-to-oversee-original-content/|url-status=live}}</ref> He resigned in 2018 after the original podcast staff at Audible were laid off.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quah |first=Nicholas |date=August 7, 2018 |title=A big shakeup at Audible has left the audiobook giant's podcast strategy unclear |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2018/08/a-big-shakeup-at-audible-has-left-the-audiobook-giants-podcast-strategy-unclear/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Nieman Lab}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-07 |title=Audible lays off its original podcast staff; SVP Eric Nuzum resigns |url=https://rainnews.com/audible-layoffs-original-podcast-division-eric-nuzum-resigns/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Radio and Internet News (RAIN) |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2016, the service introduced an on-demand service known as "Audible Channels," which features short-form audio programming from various outlets, including news and other original productions. Access is included as part of Audible's subscription, and also became available to Amazon Prime subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon adds another Prime benefit: free podcasts from Audible Channels and free audiobooks|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/13/amazon-adds-another-prime-benefit-audible-channels-and-free-audiobooks/|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=TechCrunch|date=September 13, 2016|language=en-US|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163210/https://social.techcrunch.com/2016/09/13/amazon-adds-another-prime-benefit-audible-channels-and-free-audiobooks/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nuzum compared this strategy to original content created by HBO or Netflix,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-audible-tries-hbo-for-audio-with-new-channels-service-20160707-column.html|title=Audible Tries HBO for Audio with New Channels Service|last=Johnson|first=Steve|date=July 16, 2018|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163203/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-audible-tries-hbo-for-audio-with-new-channels-service-20160707-column.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/business/media/amazons-audible-goes-long-on-short-term-audio.html|title=Amazon's Audible Goes Long on Short Term Audio|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=July 7, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163204/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/business/media/amazons-audible-goes-long-on-short-term-audio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and stated that the service deliberately avoided use of the word "podcast" as to not alienate listeners unfamiliar with the concept.<ref>{{cite web| last = Etherington| first = Darrell| title = Audible's new Channels audio content subscription service is a bet on a voice-powered future| work = TechCrunch| date = July 7, 2016| access-date = November 13, 2017| url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/07/audible-channels-netflix-for-podcasts/| archive-date = January 11, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163208/https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/07/audible-channels-netflix-for-podcasts/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gamerman|first=Ellen|date=July 7, 2016|title=Amazon's Audible Launches On-Demand Audio Service, Channels|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/07/07/amazon-audible-launches-on-demand-audio-service-channels/|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=The Wall Street Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111163206/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/07/07/amazon-audible-launches-on-demand-audio-service-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Among its original productions are ''Where Should We Begin?'', a relationship podcast with Esther Perel;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/esther-perel-lets-us-listen-in-on-couples-secrets|title=Esther Perel Lets us Listen in On Couple's Secrets|last=Schwartz|first=Alexandra|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227003207/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/esther-perel-lets-us-listen-in-on-couples-secrets|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Sincerely, X'', a podcast featuring anonymous TED Talks;<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3063100/ted-talks-but-anonymous-sincerely-x-is-a-new-podcast-meant-for-secret-b|title=TED Talks But Anonymously: Sincerely X is a new podcast meant for secret big ideas|last=Leiber|first=Jessica|date=August 24, 2016|work=Fast Company|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230081030/https://www.fastcompany.com/3063100/ted-talks-but-anonymous-sincerely-x-is-a-new-podcast-meant-for-secret-b|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ponzi Supernova'', a chronicle of the Madoff investment scandal;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0afa70d2-2387-11e8-8138-569c3d7ab0a7|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211181256/https://www.ft.com/content/0afa70d2-2387-11e8-8138-569c3d7ab0a7|archive-date=December 11, 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Podcast: Ponzi Supernova — the electrifying story of Bernie Madoff|last=Sturges|first=Fiona|date=March 11, 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=December 29, 2018}}</ref> ''The Butterfly Effect'', a podcast series by Jon Ronson chronicling the impact of PornHub on internet pornography;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Souppouris |first=Aaron |date=July 17, 2018 |title='The Butterfly Effect' explores tech's impact on the porn industry |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-07-17-the-butterfly-effect-audible-irl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109005703/https://www.engadget.com/2018-07-17-the-butterfly-effect-audible-irl.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |work=Engadget}}</ref> and ''West Cork'', a true crime podcast investigating an unsolved 1996 murder in West Cork, Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/west-cork-audible-podcast-review.html|title=West Cork Audible Podcast Review|last=Quah|first=Nicholas|date=March 7, 2018|work=Vulture|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604081537/https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/west-cork-audible-podcast-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2018, it was reported that Nuzum was stepping down, and that Amazon had laid off most of the short-form content staff. This move came amid a shift in Audible's original content strategy, including a greater focus on "audiobook-first" deals with writers.<ref name="nieman-audible">{{cite news|url=http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/08/a-big-shakeup-at-audible-has-left-the-audiobook-giants-podcast-strategy-unclear/|title=A big shakeup at Audible has left the audiobook giant's podcast strategy unclear|last=Quah|first=Nicholas|date=August 7, 2018|work=Nieman Lab Blog|access-date=December 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Alter|first=Alexandra|date=June 2, 2018|title=Want to Read Michael Lewis's Next Work? You'll Be Able to Listen to It First|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/02/books/audible-michael-lewis-audiobooks.html|access-date=August 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907033456/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/02/books/audible-michael-lewis-audiobooks.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title='The Dispatcher' Is A Short Stroll In A Strange Neighborhood|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/05/31/529749088/the-dispatcher-is-a-short-stroll-in-a-strange-neighborhood|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=NPR|date=May 31, 2017|language=en|last1=Sheehan|first1=Jason}}</ref>
The service added a new tier for subscribers to access Audible Originals, announced in fall 2020, called Premium Plus, including over 11,000 titles (as of the launch).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holloway |first=Daniel |date=August 24, 2020 |title=Audible Launches New Unlimited Subscription Tier Audible Plus |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/audible-plus-1234746148/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824160753/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/audible-plus-1234746148/ |archive-date=August 24, 2020 |work=Variety}}</ref> These titles included earlier original material, plus new audio productions featuring such creators as Common, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Mara, Harvey Fierstein, Michael Caine and Jesse Eisenberg.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=August 24, 2020 |title=Audible Introduces Lower-Priced Subscription Tier |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/audible-introduces-lower-priced-subscription-tier-podcasts-amazon-1203021454/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824164717/https://deadline.com/2020/08/audible-introduces-lower-priced-subscription-tier-podcasts-amazon-1203021454/ |archive-date=August 24, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> More recent releases include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's memoir <ref>{{Cite news |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Newark mayor and spoken word artist Ras Baraka's next project? An audio memoir |url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2022/01/newark-mayor-and-spoken-word-artist-ras-barakas-next-project-an-audio-memoir.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127230849/https://www.nj.com/essex/2022/01/newark-mayor-and-spoken-word-artist-ras-barakas-next-project-an-audio-memoir.html |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |work=The Star-Ledger}}</ref> and two works by ''Brown Sugar'' screenwriter Michael Elliot.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kuperinsky |first=Amy |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Queen Latifah podcast coming to Audible as part of Flavor Unit deal |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/07/queen-latifah-podcast-coming-to-audible-as-part-of-flavor-unit-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719215437/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/07/queen-latifah-podcast-coming-to-audible-as-part-of-flavor-unit-deal.html |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |work=The Star-Ledger}}</ref>
In 2024, Audible announced new audio projects including an audio adaptation of George Orwell’s ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' titled "1984" starring Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott and Tom Hardy. Kerry Washington and Daniel Dae Kim performed main roles in an adaptation of the Broadway play David Henry Hwang's "Yellow Face" exploring themes of cultural appropriation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=March 27, 2024 |title=High Fidelity: Audible Rides Audio Boom with Big Investments in Original Content|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/audible-1984-yellow-face-kerry-washington-dae-kim-rachel-ghiazza-1235953156/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327163654/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/audible-1984-yellow-face-kerry-washington-dae-kim-rachel-ghiazza-1235953156/ |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=Variety}}</ref>
==Device support== Similarly to other major app-based services in 2025, Audible has broad platform support for major platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Kindle, encompasing various brands of personal computers, mobile phones, and smart devices such as smart TVs, smart speakers, in-car entertainmentsystems, and accessibility devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listening |url=https://help.audible.com/s/listening |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Audible Help}}</ref>
Linux devices are not supported by Audible. Instead, users can use third-party software designed to play Audible's DRM-encoded file format (AAX) file format, such as OpenAudible, or break the DRM-encoding and convert the files into an open one, such as MP3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OpenAudible Documentation |url=https://openaudible.org/documentation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506211531/https://openaudible.org/documentation |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=OpenAudible}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Adam |date=August 1, 2023 |title=Audible Linux: How to Play Audible on Linux |url=https://www.viwizard.com/audiobook-tips/play-audible-on-linux.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201102437/https://www.viwizard.com/audiobook-tips/play-audible-on-linux.html |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=ViWizard}}</ref>
For iOS devices, users can access Audible on the iPhone 6 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and all macOS devices running macOS Ventura 13.3 or higher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compatible iOS devices |url=https://help.audible.com/AU_DownloadArticlePDF?id=ka0ar0000001KHdAAM |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Audible Help |format=PDF}}</ref>
The Android app cannot be downloaded directly from Audible, but must be obtained via either Google Play or Galaxy Store.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://help.audible.co.uk/s/article/install-the-android-app?language=en_GB |title=Install the Android app |access-date=2025-10-07}}</ref> The software is compatible with Android OS 9.0 and above.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compatible Android devices |url=https://help.audible.com/AU_DownloadArticlePDF?id=ka0ar00000037kvAAA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201032835/https://help.audible.com/AU_DownloadArticlePDF?id=ka0ar00000037kvAAA |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Audible Help |format=PDF}}</ref> As of October 2025, the latest version contains code signatures of four tracking companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report for com.audible.application 25.36.10 - εxodus |url=https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.audible.application/latest/ |access-date=2025-10-07}}</ref>
For Windows devices, Audible provides the AudibleSync app, compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, which also allows for audiobook transfers to MP3 players and accessibility devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listen with AudibleSync |url=https://help.audible.com/s/article/listen-with-audiblesync?language=en_US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201034724/https://help.audible.com/s/article/listen-with-audiblesync?language=en_US |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |website=Audible Help |format=PDF}}</ref>
In addition to mobile and desktop devices, Audible supports Kindle devices, enabling audiobook playback directly on e-readers. Audible is also compatible with various accessibilitydevices for people with visual impairments or blindness, including Swiss engineering firm Bones AG's Milestone 212 and 312 and EssilorLuxottica Humanware's Victor Reader Stream 2 and 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compatible accessibility devices |url=https://help.audible.com/AU_DownloadArticlePDF?id=ka0ar0000002vlNAAQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201032904/https://help.audible.com/AU_DownloadArticlePDF?id=ka0ar0000002vlNAAQ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Audible Help |format=PDF}}</ref>
==Quality== The following qualities have been available from Audible. Currently, only the "Format 4" and "Enhanced" formats are available for download.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Site Maintenance in progress|url=https://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5128/kw/formats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917200851/https://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5128/kw/formats|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2020|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=audible.custhelp.com}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Format name ! Bitrate ! Sample rate ! Bit depth ! Channel ! MBytes/hour ! Container ! Quality description |- | Audible Enhanced Audio (.aax)* | 32 - 128 kbit/s | 22.050 - 44.10 kHz | {{Unknown}} | Mono or stereo | 28.8 | MPEG-4 Part 14 | AAC sound |- | Format 4 (.aa) | 32 kbit/s | 22.050 kHz | 16bit | Mono | 14.4 | MP3 | MP3 sound |- | Format 3 (.aa) | 16 kbit/s | 22.050 kHz | 16bit | Mono | 7.2 | Unknown | FM radio sound |- | Format 2 (.aa) | 8 kbit/s | 22.050 kHz | 16bit | Mono | 3.7 | Unknown | AM radio sound |} *AAX files are encrypted M4B's. The audio is encoded in variable quality AAC format. While the vast majority of books are encoded at 64 kbit/s, 22.050 kHz, stereo, some are as low as 32k, mono. Radio plays are often encoded at 128 kbit/s and 44.1 kHz.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Additionally, many audiobooks in Germany are encoded at the latter bitrate and are marketed as "AAX+"; however, there is no difference in the actual file format.
==Digital rights management== Audible's .aa file format encapsulates sound encoded in either MP3 or the ACELP speech codec, but includes unauthorized-playback prevention by means of an Audible username and password, which can be used on up to four computers and three smartphones at a time. Licenses are available for schools and libraries.
Audible's content can only be played on selected mobile devices. Its software does enable users to burn a limited number of CDs for unrestricted playback, resulting in CDs that can be copied or converted to unrestricted digital audio formats.
Because of the CD issue, Audible's use of digital rights management on its .aa format has earned it criticism.<ref>[http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/2522 Why I Won't Be Adding Audible.com to My Xmas Card List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060125024558/http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/2522 |date=January 25, 2006 }}, O'Reilly Mac DevCenter Blog, January 3, 2003</ref> While multiple software products are capable of removing the ''Audible DRM ''protection by re-encoding in other formats,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stream-recorder.com/forum/remove-drm-audibles-audio-books-removing-copy-t878.html?t=878|title=Remove DRM from Audible's audio books (Removing copy-protection from .AA files) - Audio/video stream recording forums|website=stream-recorder.com|access-date=December 30, 2007|archive-date=December 24, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224130905/http://stream-recorder.com/forum/remove-drm-audibles-audio-books-removing-copy-t878.html?t=878|url-status=live}}</ref> Audible has been quick to threaten the software makers with lawsuits for discussing or promoting this ability, as happened with River Past Corp and GoldWave Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chillingeffects.org/anticircumvention/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1274 |title=Company Threatens Audio Editing Software Creator April 20, 2004 |publisher=Chillingeffects.org |access-date=June 28, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303091329/http://www.chillingeffects.org/anticircumvention/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1274 |url-status=live }}</ref> Responses have varied, with River Past removing the capability from their software, and GoldWave retaining the capability, but censoring discussions about the ability in its support forums.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} But there are still many other software tools from non-US countries which easily bypass the DRM control of Audible by various methods, including sound recording, virtual CD burning, and even using a media plugin library once provided by Audible themselves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://swankandswill.blogspot.com/2010/07/audiblecom-without-drm.html |title=Audible.com without DRM |publisher=swankandswill.blogspot.com |date=July 2010 |access-date=August 26, 2013 |archive-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607083246/http://swankandswill.blogspot.com/2010/07/audiblecom-without-drm.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After Apple's abandonment of most DRM measures, Amazon's downloads ceasing to use it, Audible's DRM system is one of the few remaining in place.
Many Audible listings displayed to non-U.S. customers are geo-blocked. According to Audible, this is because the publisher who has provided the title does not have the rights to distribute the file in a given region. Logged in are unable to see titles that are unavailable for purchase.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3062&p_created=1131032162 |title=Audible.com FAQ |publisher=Audible.CustHelp.com |access-date=June 28, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
There were hopes<ref>{{cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |url=http://boingboing.net/2008/02/21/random-house-audio-a.html |title=Random House Audio abandons audiobook DRM |publisher=Boing Boing |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=June 28, 2012 |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621175611/http://boingboing.net/2008/02/21/random-house-audio-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> that Amazon, after its purchase of Audible, would remove the DRM from its audiobook selection, in keeping with the current trend in the industry. Nevertheless, Audible's products continue to have DRM, similar to the policy of DRM-protecting their Kindle e-books, which have DRM that allows for a finite, yet undisclosed number of downloads at the discretion of the publisher, however Audible titles that are DRM free can be copied to the Kindle and made functional.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nickinator.info/2012/kindle-mp3-audible-hack/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907110157/http://www.nickinator.info/2012/kindle-mp3-audible-hack/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |title=Kindle mp3 Audible Hack - Nickinator Nick Jones |publisher=Nickinator.info |date=January 28, 2012 |access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref>
Audible is able to offer DRM-free titles for content providers who wish to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2848/kw/drm/r_id/166 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710161147/http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2848/kw/drm/r_id/166 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=Audible.com FAQ |publisher=Audible.custhelp.com |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref> FFmpeg 2.8.1+ is capable of playing Audible's .aa and .aax file formats natively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-all.html#Audible-AAX |title=FFmpeg Audible AAX |publisher=FFmpeg |date=December 25, 2015 |access-date=December 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-all.html#aa |title=FFmpeg Audible AA |publisher=FFmpeg |date=December 25, 2015 |access-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107153056/https://www.ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-all.html#aa |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Market power== Audible operates the Audiobook Creation Exchange, which enables individual authors or publishers to work with professional actors and producers to create audiobooks, which are then distributed to Amazon and iTunes. Currently, the service is available to residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Audiobooks Through ACX |url=https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201014330#:~:text=Is%20ACX%20open%20to%20me,for%20one%20of%20these%20countries. |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=kdp.amazon.com |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195345/https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201014330#:~:text=Is%20ACX%20open%20to%20me,for%20one%20of%20these%20countries. |url-status=live }}</ref> Audible produces 10,000 titles a year and may be the largest employer of actors in New York City.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Leslie|title=Actors Today Don't Just Read for the Part. Reading IS the Part.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/business/media/actors-today-dont-just-read-for-the-part-reading-is-the-part.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=December 24, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=June 29, 2013|archive-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225145008/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/business/media/actors-today-dont-just-read-for-the-part-reading-is-the-part.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== * RBMedia * LibriVox * Storytel
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7I2AopzKCk Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Audible], by Katherine Kellgren {{Podcast distribution platforms}}{{Amazon}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Audible.Com}} Category:Amazon (company) acquisitions Category:Audiobook companies and organizations Category:Retail companies established in 1995 Category:Internet properties established in 1997 Category:Online retailers of the United States Category:Companies based in Newark, New Jersey Category:Mass media in Newark, New Jersey Category:IOS software Category:Android (operating system) software Category:Windows Phone software Category:Windows software Category:Universal Windows Platform apps Category:2008 mergers and acquisitions Category:Subscription services Category:Podcasting companies Category:Podcast clients