What is Amazon Audible? (Fully Explained)
What is Amazon Audible?
Amazon Audible is an audiobook and podcast service owned by Amazon that gives users access to a vast library of spoken word content to listen to anywhere. With Audible, you can stream or download audiobooks, podcasts, and original audio productions to listen to on your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other supported devices.
Audible‘s key draw is its extensive audiobook library spanning genres like sci-fi, mystery, romance, self-help and more. Both classic and current bestselling titles are available, with over 475,000 audiobook options as of 2022.
In addition to audiobooks, Audible offers popular podcasts like ‘This American Life‘, as well as Audible Originals – exclusive audio content created by celebrated storytellers like David Sedaris and filmmaker Kevin Smith.
An Audible membership gives you credits to redeem audiobooks each month, access to Daily Deals, and a 30% discount on additional audio purchases. There are also different membership tiers to fit your listening frequency.
Overall, if you love reading but struggle to find the time, Audible makes it possible to enjoy books while commuting, exercising or doing chores through the convenience of audio.
Audible Membership Plans
Audible offers two main membership plans: Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. Here is an overview of the pricing and benefits associated with each:
Audible Plus
- Price: $7.95 per month
- Benefits: Unlimited listening to a rotating selection of over 11,000 audiobooks and podcasts. No credits needed.
Audible Plus offers a more affordable way to access Audible‘s library. It‘s ideal for casual listeners who still want plenty of options.
Audible Premium Plus
- Price: $14.95 per month
- Benefits: Includes 1 credit per month to redeem any audiobook regardless of price, plus access to Daily Deals and the Plus audiobook/podcast catalog
This top-tier plan suits avid listeners looking to build a more substantial audiobook library with the latest releases. For context, one credit can be redeemed for any audiobook even if it normally costs $30 or more à la carte.
Both plans include a free 30-day trial so new users can experience Audible and determine if the available content aligns with their tastes. Memberships can be cancelled online anytime as well.
Audible Content
Now that Audible‘s membership structure is clear, let‘s explore the different content types available:
Audiobooks
As mentioned earlier, Audible grants access to over 475,000 audiobook titles spanning fiction and non-fiction genres, including:
- Sci-fi and fantasy
- Mysteries and thrillers
- Romance
- History and biographies
- Personal development and success
- Health and wellness
- Business and leadership
- Religion and spirituality
Both classic literature and current bestselling novels are available. For example, you can listen to timeless favorites like Jane Austen‘s ‘Pride and Prejudice‘ or the latest Stephen King horror release.
Podcasts
Beyond audiobooks, an Audible membership provides unlimited access to a growing collection of popular podcasts like ‘This American Life‘, ‘The Tim Ferriss Show‘ and ‘Pod Save America‘ to name a few.
Audible Originals
Exclusive to the platform, Audible Originals are audio-first creations across various formats:
- Audio Shows: Immersive, soundscape-rich performances involving Hollywood talent. For instance, the original production ‘Snow Crash‘ features over 60 cast members.
- Sleep Tracks: Stores designed to calm the mind before bed. You‘ll find soothing music, bedtime stories and ambient sounds.
- Guided Wellness: Meditations, mindfulness exercises and motivation sessions to help you destress.
- Podcasts: Covering comedy, politics, true crime and more. Popular examples include comedic fiction ‘Heads Will Roll‘ and ‘Where Should We Begin‘ about real relationship counselling sessions.
High profile figures like David Sedaris, Yo-Yo Ma and Kevin Smith have all produced Audible Originals over the years as well.
The Audible App
Now that you know what content Audible offers, how can you start listening? Audible provides apps for all major platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Fire OS. Let‘s examine some highlights of the listening experience.
Some shared features across the apps include:
- Downloaded audiobook playback: Listen to your purchased audiobooks offline once they are downloaded to your device.
- In-App purchasing: Use credits or cash to shop Audible‘s entire marketplace.
- Listening history and bookmarks: Pick up exactly where you left off and refer to your past listens.
- Custom playback speed: Listen at speeds between 0.5X up to 3X to optimize for comprehension.
- Sleep timer: Set a cutoff point before dozing off to avoid excess listening.
- Notifications: Stay updated on new releases, sales and other activity.
The tablet and desktop apps feature enhanced curation including content recommendations based on past purchases and listening data.
One advantage of the Android and iOS apps is full integration with Google Assistant and Siri respectively. You can launch playback completely hands-free, allowing for an extra safe listening solution while driving.
Specific devices like Amazon Echo and Sonos speakers also offer tight interoperability with Audible, which we‘ll expand on next.
Listening on Devices
In addition to mobile apps, Audible opens up listening possibilities through compatibility with popular devices like:
- Amazon Echo: "Alexa, continue playing my Audible book" enables instant hands-free listening.
- Fire tablets: Built-in integration as Amazon‘s proprietary devices. Support Whispersync to automatically sync your place between Audible books and corresponding Kindle eBooks.
- Sonos speakers: Control playback through your Sonos app or directly via Alexa voice commands.
The above represents just a sample as Audible partners closely with electronics brands to enable audio streaming over speakers, tablets, in-car entertainment and more. Refer to Audible‘s devices page for the full compatibility list.
One advantage of this hardware ecosystem is the ability to start listening on one device, like your smartphone, then pick up the story seamlessly on another, like your living room speaker. Everything stays in sync automatically.
Audible and Amazon Prime
As an Amazon subsidiary, Audible offers special perks for Amazon Prime members including:
- Extended 60-day free trial period for new Audible users versus the standard 30 days.
- Unlimited access to the rotating Audible Plus catalog for just $6.95 per month. Represents over 75% off the regular cost.
- Chance to receive deep discounts on additional Audible book purchases beyond the monthly credit.
Furthermore, if you own a Kindle eReader, certain Kindle books support Whispersync for Voice where you can switch to the Audible narrated audio version aligned to your last page read. This keeps your place intact across formats.
Overall, Amazon Prime membership opens money-saving opportunities if you want to access Audible.
Audible‘s Additional Features
Let‘s explore some special Audible capabilities that enhance the listening experience:
Whispersync
As covered earlier, Whispersync automatically saves your reading or listening place across multiple devices and formats. Start a book on your Audible app during lunch, then open the accompanying Kindle edition at home and your page position remains intact thanks to cloud syncing.
Whispersync also tracks bookmarks, highlights and notes to link progress tracking across Audible books, ebooks, podcasts and more.
1 Credit Per Month
Audible Premium Plus members receive one credit per calendar month which provides the flexibility to purchase any single audiobook regardless of regular cost.
Think of credits like a virtual token that unlocks access to premium inventory otherwise requiring cash payment. As an example, popular new releases often retail for $30+ if paying outright. However credits let you obtain any title and listen immediately.
Power listeners needing more than 1 audiobook per month can buy extra credits at discounted member prices. This stretches your account balance further.
Customer Service
Audible‘s customer service includes 24/7 phone, email and social media support. The online help center also provides self-help articles if common account or technical issues arise.
As a long-standing company under Amazon, Audible instills confidence through reliable assistance channels manned by friendly representatives.
Genres on Audible
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of the service, let‘s spotlight some favorite genres represented on Audible:
Sci-Fi and Fantasy:
Immerse yourself in magical realms with series like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones which transport imaginations. Alternatively explore futuristic worlds among Star WarsExpanded Universe novels or heady concepts within Issac Asimov‘sFoundation Trilogy foreseeing psychohistory.
Over 6,000 fantasy/sci-fi titles await.
True Crime and Mysteries
Armchair sleuths will discover plenty of suspicious characters awaiting judgement across mysteries and true crime cases reconstructed via audiobooks. Dive into forensic analysis among Helter Skelter’s chronicle of the Manson murders or study false accusations gone wrong in the classic courtroom drama, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Additionally, fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes take many intriguing adventures originating on Audible before materializing elsewhere.
History and Biographies
Insightful memoirs and biographies read by prolific narrators provide wisdom, perspective and vital history lessons on society. Examples like Michelle Obama’s Becoming or Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning should not be missed.
Many Presidential autobiographies also feature exclusive Audible forward narrations placing their legacy into clearer context.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Titles falling under business and entrepreneurship contain actionable career guidance. For instance, girlboss Sophia Amoruso chronicles turning a fledgling eBay store into $250 million fashion house Nasty Gal in #Girlboss. Meanwhile Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg dispenses empowering advice for corporate progression through Lean In.
Summaries of top startup books also help condense fundamental lessons, allowing efficient application towards your ventures.
Famous Audible Productions
Beyond its core audiobook and podcast repertoire, Audible channels creativity into original series and audio dramas adapting iconic stories through unique soundscapes. Standouts include:
Sandman (2022)
This cinematic adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s revered Sandman graphic novels took over 10 years to develop. Spanning 75+ characters across 11 episodes, the fantasy saga detailing Dream and his Endless siblings effortlessly translates to audio using vivid performances and atmospheric audio cues to manifest this richly woven world.
When You Finish Saving the World (2022)
Jesse Eisenberg, Finn Wolfhard and Julianne Moore star in this sharp-witted comedy-drama from Eisenberg himself. The script examines familial relationships and social causes amidst three stubborn generations unwilling to see eye-to-eye despite well-intentioned purposes being pursued by all parties.
Phreaks (2022)
This teen techno-thriller follows two young hackers, Ellie and Caleb, pit against shady corporate foes at DEF CON (world‘s largest hacking convention). The conflict tests ethical limits of both sides using hacking capabilities for good or nefarious means.
As evidenced above, Audible empowers talented creators across Hollywood and publishing to unveil passion projects dependent on audio‘s imaginative canvas. The results speak for themselves through critical and mainstream acclaim.
Key Takeaways
After digesting everything the service represents, here are the big takeaways when evaluating Amazon Audible:
- Audible grants unlimited access to over 475,000 audiobooks spanning every conceivable genre.
- Podcasts and Audible Originals further expand content options introducing exclusive audio content.
- Membership plans cater to casual and power listeners alike thanks to affordable monthly pricing.
- Robust apps featuring offline download support make audio books portable across devices.
- Integration with Amazon Prime and Alexa Voice activate handy voice commands and added value.
If convenience, choice and portability are priorities when enjoying books, Audible checks all the boxes using an intuitive digital listening platform.
