Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Google launches a DRM-free audiobook store

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

There's no reason why audiobooks should be loaded with digital rights management (DRM) technology long after we've seen the success of both music and video distribution in open MP3 and MP4 formats. But as Cory Doctorow notes, Audible, which was acquired by Amazon a couple of years ago, controls more than 90% of the audiobook market. So despite promises to the contrary, neither it nor Amazon have made any move to open up the eBook market. This makes Google's announcement of a DRM-free audiobook store great news. Now you'll be able to play them on any device, and on any player, rather than be captive inside a proprietary Audible-Amazon setup.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Apr 24, 2024 6:45 p.m.

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