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 ]
If you thought Big Tech’s dreadful year of layoffs would be confined to 2023, you’re (sadly) mistaken. Audible laid off around five percent of its employees on Thursday, which Variety reports is “just over 100 staffers.” The cuts in the audiobook division are part of parent company Amazon’s most... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-01-11 22:00:11 UTC ]
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With such an incredible range of choices of new audiobooks out in January, you’re sure to find an audiobook perfect for you. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-01-11 11:31:00 UTC ]
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The 2024 edition of the German Audiobook Prize issues its shortlists in seven categories, covering books, radio plays, and podcasts. The post The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2024 Shortlists appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-01-10 12:31:32 UTC ]
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Reading her audiobook memoir, “How to Say Babylon,” the poet gives voice to her Jamaican roots, her early ambition and the Rastafari father who would have quashed it. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2024-01-05 13:11:49 UTC ]
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When e-readers like the Amazon Kindle burst onto the scene, they were predicted to bring about the death of the print book — and maybe the independent bookstore too. But publishing sales data and on the ground observations from booksellers indicate that neither prediction has come true. Continue reading at CBC
[ CBC | 2023-12-17 09:00:00 UTC ]
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A new volume of the Black feminist’s previously unpublished writing is read in audiobook form by a full cast of Black women. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-12-15 10:00:20 UTC ]
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Spotify is testing an AI-powered feature that creates playlists from text prompts. TikTok user @robdad_ posted a short clip of it, captioned, “I just randomly discovered Spotify’s ChatGPT?” For the chosen guinea pigs, the feature is available as an option under Your Library after tapping the... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2023-12-14 18:18:00 UTC ]
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Sales of Liz Cheney's new book got off to a good start and three titles by Rebecca Yarros continued to be hot, but print sales dipped 1.1% last week from a year ago. The decline put an end to two weeks of higher sales over 2022. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Keong Sim reads the audiobook version of the author’s second posthumous collection, “Songs on Endless Repeat.” Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-12-08 13:52:17 UTC ]
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Here are some ways to keep reading when your eyes just don't want to cooperate, even if you don’t have access to audiobook versions. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2023-12-06 11:32:00 UTC ]
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You can read countless ebooks, listen to audiobooks, and browse comics with one of these WIRED-tested digital reading subscriptions. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2023-12-02 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but quite a few of the deals are still live. We're also seeing new discounts and bundles pop up that weren't previously listed. If you didn't get everything you need during the frenzy of Black Friday sales, you can still save on Amazon Echos, Dyson vacs,... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2023-12-01 16:43:49 UTC ]
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Each month, for your literary listening pleasure, our friends at AudioFile Magazine bring us the cream of the audiobook crop. Now, at 2023 draws to a close, they’ve rounded up the very best audiobooks of the year. Happy listening and happy holidays! * FICTION AudioFile’s 2023 Best Fiction... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2023-12-01 14:03:20 UTC ]
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Perdita Weeks reads the audiobook version of Megan Barnard’s debut novel, reimagining the Israeli queen as a source of mythic, feminist anger. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2023-12-01 10:00:14 UTC ]
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Titles in the Hunger Games and Empyrean series sold in big numbers last week, leading to a 1.4% increase in sales of print books over 2022. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookwire's 'WAY' audiobook services are to be available to French-language publishers early in 2024. The post Germany: Bookwire’s Audiobook Service Goes to Brazilian, English, Spanish Markets appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-11-29 04:44:54 UTC ]
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A new feature on Apple Books gives users Spotify Wrapped–style insights into their reading habits in 2023—a year in which Jack Carr, Prince Harry, Britney Spears, and Rebecca Yarros topped the Apple Books charts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Cyber Monday is almost over but the deals are not yet gone. There are still a number of great tech deals out there, so if you're a little late to the holiday shopping frenzy that has been the past few days, fear not. You can still save on gadgets from Apple, Sonos,... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2023-11-27 23:00:03 UTC ]
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Today is the last day to get an Audible subscription at a discounted rate for the holidays. A Cyber Monday deal on the audiobook subscription service brings a Premium Plus membership down to just $6 per month for the first four months — that's more than half off the... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2023-11-27 18:30:45 UTC ]
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Cyber Monday is finally here, and even though many of the best Black Friday deals have carried over into today, it's still worth checking online sales to see if you want to pick up anything while prices are down. Whether you dropped some money on new tech a few days ago... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2023-11-27 15:25:39 UTC ]
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