Apple's new audiobook narration service uses AI voices

When you browse Apple Books for your next audiobook, you might come across a few titles with a note that says they were "Narrated by Apple Books." That's because the tech giant has released a catalogue of titles that make use of its new AI-powered digital narration service. The company said the service uses the advanced speech synthesis technology it developed "to produce high-quality audiobooks from an ebook file." According to The Guardian, Apple approached independent publishers who may be interested in teaming up for the project's launch in recent months. Authors were reportedly told that the company behind the technology would shoulder the costs of turning their books into audiobooks and that they would be earning royalties. Apple, as secretive as ever, apparently remained unnamed at that point of the process and required partners to sign non-disclosure agreements. In its announcement, Apple touched on how commissioning voice actors and producing audiobooks could cost writers and publishers thousands of dollars. For independent authors, especially those just starting out, it's not always possible to spare that much money. But thing is, the audiobook market has grown tremendously in recent years — it earned $1.6 billion in sales in 2021, and experts reportedly believe the market could be worth over $35 billion by 2030. Authors wouldn't only be missing out on potential income by not creating audiobook versions of their titles, but also the opportunity to build their... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2023-01-05 13:10:59 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Apple's new audiobook narration service uses AI voices"


Bonnier Books to feature killer recordings in audiobook

Bonnier Books UK will feature recordings of convicted killers in an audiobook of true crime bestseller Talking with Serial Killers: The World’s Most Evil. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-11 20:04:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH signs Fleabag’s ‘hot priest’ as part of star-studded audiobook cast

Penguin Random House has announced a star-studded cast including "Fleabag" and "Game of Thrones" actors to narrate a new series of 50 Penguin Classics audiobooks. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-10 22:34:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Oasis Debuts New Vintage Pulp Audiobook Imprint

Paperback Classics, a new audiobook imprint from Oasis Family Media, will bring vintage pulp paperbacks from the 1930s to the 1970s to audio. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Testaments to be adapted for Hulu TV show as audiobook actors revealed

Margaret Atwood’s much-anticipated new novel The Testaments will be turned into a TV show by Hulu and MGM, it has been revealed. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-04 06:45:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this


FutureBook launches audio writing competition

FutureBook has launched an audio originals writing competition, which will see the winning work published as an audiobook and the successful author hosted at the FutureBook Conference. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-03 00:18:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Weekend Giveaway: THE FLIGHT GIRLS Audiobook by Noelle Salazar

Enter to win a a digital audio download of THE FLIGHT GIRLS Audiobook by Noelle Salazar. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-08-31 10:33:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Audible to delay parts of speech-to-text feature as court hearing looms

Amazon's audiobook company Audible has agreed to delay parts of its disputed speech-to-text feature until permission and licensing issues are resolved.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-29 22:46:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Baen Books, RBmedia Partner On Audiobooks

Independent science fiction and fantasy publisher Baen Books has partnered with audiobook company RBmedia for an audiobook program. Under the agreement, the two companies will publish more than 170 audiobooks over the next three years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-08-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Authors Guild backs AAP’s Audible lawsuit

The Authors Guild is supporting the Association of American Publishers (AAP) as the organisation sues Amazon’s audiobook company Audible over a new speech-to-text feature.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-27 10:51:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Publishers sue Amazon's Audible over speech-to-text feature

Major US publishers have filed a lawsuit against Amazon's audiobook company Audible in a row over a new speech-to-text feature which they say is a violation of copyright law.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-26 15:42:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Hayley Atwell to voice Jessie Burton audiobook

Actor Hayley Atwell will narrate the audiobook for The Confession by Jessie Burton, as Picador reveals plans for the launch campaign.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-22 03:35:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Russell Tovey to narrate Joe Hammond's memoir

Actor Russell Tovey will read the audiobook for terminally ill playwright Joe Hammond’s forthcoming memoir, A Short History of Falling: Everything I’ve Observed About Love Whilst Dying. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-21 21:12:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Taron Egerton to narrate Elton John audiobook

Taron Egerton will narrate the audiobook edition of Elton John's forthcoming autobiography, Me.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-21 12:02:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Audible teams with 'The Walking Dead' creators on audio originals

Audible's push into original content now includes a team-up with a company best-known for its comic books and TV shows. The Amazon-owned audiobook service has struck a deal with Skybound, the team behind The Walking Dead, to create multiple Audible... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2019-08-13 18:43:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Listen to an Audiobook Excerpt of THE TURN OF THE KEY By Ruth Ware

Listen to an exclusive audiobook excerpt of Ruth Ware's new psychological thriller, THE TURN OF THE KEY, narrated by Imogen Church! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-08-06 10:33:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


W F Howes snaps up audio for new trilogy from L J Ross

Audiobook and large-print publisher W F Howes has acquired the Dr Alexander Gregory trilogy by self-published author Louise Ross. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-04 18:27:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Audio File: Five Great Audiobooks For That Summer Road Trip

Nearly 100 million Americans will be hopping in the car for a road trip this year, according to AAA, with most of us embarking in the summer. A recent survey commissioned by the Audio Publishers Association reveals that 74 percent of audiobook readers prefer to read them in cars. Given those... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-08-02 08:50:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Carcanet Press launches audiobook series

Carcanet Press is launching an audiobook series featuring recordings of poetry collections read by the authors themselves. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-30 14:17:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Jenny Eclair and Kit de Waal champion Listening Books

Authors Jenny Eclair, Kit de Waal, Sally Gardner and Bali Rai have been made ambassadors for national audiobook charity Listening Books as it marks its 60th anniversary. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-29 18:56:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Andrew Scott, AKA Fleabag‘s Hot Priest, will narrate Beatrix Potter audiobooks.

Audible has made great strides toward cornering the coveted Thirsty Parents market today by announcing that Fleabag‘s Hot Priest Andrew Scott will be narrating an audiobook collection of Beatrix Potter stories. Well played, Audible! I don’t have any children, but you better believe that my next... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-07-25 15:30:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this