iPod Audible.com - Should I use them?

[DougJrS]

I was looking at Audible.com and they seem to get mixed reviews on sites like cnet.com. I was just wondering how well they work with iTunes/iPod. Can you just download the files or do you need to use some special software to get the audio books into iTunes? Do they show as audio books in iPod?

Also, it looks like right now you can get 10 download credits for $119. Does 1 credit equal 1 book? Can you pay $119 for 10 books then go download 10 $50 books?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[rosalindavenue]

Audible works great with ipod. You download the books to your audible manager, then go to itunes and hit "file--> add file to library" and the book is on your ipod next sync.

One credit = 1 book, so look at the books you might order and the prices and decide if it is a good deal for you. I had the 1 year 2 book a month deal for $20 a month. I just cancelled it b/c I have more than 100 hours of books to listen to (I prefer unabridged nonfiction for listening in the car and at the gym).

I have a 3G ipod-- I understand the 4Gs (click wheels) are better for audiobooks-- the firmware has some cool additional stuff. The ONLY glitch (and it is minor once you understand it) is the bookmark glitch-- you can lose bookmarks on resets. Go to ipodlounge and search the "audible" thread for more on that.

 

[rosalindavenue]

Can you pay $119 for 10 books then go download 10 $50 books?

Thanks,
Doug

forgot to answer this-- YES, you can do that.

 

[djbahdow01]

I was looking at Audible.com and they seem to get mixed reviews on sites like cnet.com. I was just wondering how well they work with iTunes/iPod. Can you just download the files or do you need to use some special software to get the audio books into iTunes? Do they show as audio books in iPod?

Also, it looks like right now you can get 10 download credits for $119. Does 1 credit equal 1 book? Can you pay $119 for 10 books then go download 10 $50 books?

Thanks,
Doug

If i remember correctly the book I downloaded from iTunes had an audible.com promo on it stating that the books were from audible. So the books should have no problem importing to iTunes

 

[discoforce]

Good experience with Audible

If i remember correctly the book I downloaded from iTunes had an audible.com promo on it stating that the books were from audible. So the books should have no problem importing to iTunes

I joined Audible for several months and everything worked great with iTunes and my 4g iPod. After signing up, every book I downloaded was automatically imported into iTunes.

A few times the download didn't work, or I mistakenly deleted a file. Each time I called Audible support they were able to fix it.

You should note that if you sign up for the monthly fee (for 1 or 2 book credits) at the end of the month you lose those credits! So don't forget to use your credits before the end of the month.

And I yup, I downloaded many $50 books for about $10 each.

 

[aloofman]

I joined briefly when they had a "free month, two book" offer a couple years ago. It worked out pretty well. Even moving the files to a different computer and to my iPod doesn't change the DRM, even though I'm no longer a subscriber. (You just have to remember the original password.) And the bookmarking has worked fine for me when I've used it.

My only complaint was that I've always thought that I shouldn't have to pay so much more for an audiobook than for a paper copy.