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 recent round of layoffs, also affecting Prime Video, MGM, and Twitch. “We did not take this route without considerable thought,” Audible CEO Bob Carrigan reportedly said in an audio memo delivered to staff. “But getting leaner and more efficient is the way we will need to operate now — and in the foreseeable future — in order to continue delivering best-in-class audio storytelling to our customers around the world.” For those keeping score, “leaner and more efficient” echoes the language in numerous recent Big Tech layoff announcements. Variations of “In these uncertain times...” have also been popular. Carrigan ironically began by talking about Audible's strong performance last year. “I want to acknowledge the strong year we had in 2023, in which we delivered amazing listening experiences for our customers thanks to outstanding collaboration with creators and partners,” he reportedly said. “Our business is in good shape, and that is because of the hard work of each and every one of you.” The CEO extolled how much the company values its workers. “A big part of what makes working at Audible so special is our many talented and dedicated employees who bring their passion to work each... Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2024-01-11 22:00:11 UTC ]
A look at six of today's biggest and most interesting YA audiobook performers, with a little about who they are and some of their best work. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-02-12 11:31:00 UTC ]
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A bunch of new tech sales cropped up at the start of the week for things like robot vacuums, game controllers and more, and many of them are still around today. A trio of iRobot devices remain discounted, with the most affordable of the bunch coming in at $179. Some of Amazon's Fire tablets are... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2022-01-21 16:45:26 UTC ]
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Interviews Weina Dai Randel burst onto the literary scene a number of years ago with her duology about Empress Wu Zetian, China’s first woman leader. After winning the prestigious Rita Award in 2017 and seeing her novels translated into seven... Continue reading at World Literature Today
[ World Literature Today | 2022-01-20 14:33:49 UTC ]
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Today’s edition of SFF Daily Deals is sponsored by the audiobook Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves.`the audiobook Cold the Night, Fast the... Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-01-17 14:13:35 UTC ]
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A narrator can make or break the listening experience. Over several related novels, they can become friend (or foe). Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-01-16 13:00:49 UTC ]
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This week brought deals on Apple devices, gaming gear and more. The Mac Mini M1 remains on sale for $600 while the 3rd-generation AirPods are back down to a record low of $140. Nintendo's Ring Fit Adventure is back in stock and $25 off, while you can still get a one-year Switch Online family... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2022-01-14 16:45:01 UTC ]
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If you’re looking for a great LGBTQIA+ audiobook to listen to in the first half of 2022, here are 12 recommendations. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-01-13 11:38:00 UTC ]
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Manchester University Press (MUP) has launched an audiobook pilot programme, following claims students with 'screen fatigue' are increasingly turning to the format. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-13 00:08:43 UTC ]
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Your first audiobook of the year sets the tone for the rest of the reading year. So how do you make sure to pick the right one? Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-01-11 11:30:00 UTC ]
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Today’s edition of SFF Daily Deals is sponsored by the audiobook edition of The Starless Crown. `the audiobook edition of The Starless... Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-01-10 13:52:42 UTC ]
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Storytel reports good momentum for its audiobook and ebook streaming services in Poland, Russia, and Turkey—and less so in the Netherlands. The post Sweden’s Storytel Cites a 20-Percent Gain in 2021 over 2020 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-01-10 12:45:40 UTC ]
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RBmedia has entered the German audiobook market using a two-step approach: forming RBmedia Verlag and acquiring German audiobook publisher ABOD to supply titles to the new unit. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-01-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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A new unabridged audiobook of James Hilton’s Goodbye Mr Chips (Hodder & Stoughton) will be narrated by actor Robert Bathurst. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-05 18:00:24 UTC ]
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Audiobook giant RBmedia has acquired leading German publisher ABOD and is making it's first foray into the German-language market under the new brand RBmedia Verlag. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-05 13:45:12 UTC ]
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Regardless of how 2021 went for you, 2022 is another chance for all of us to make the new year better than those that came before it. We set New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions, but it’s no wonder that so many people fail after just a few weeks – old habits die hard. Just as it’s... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2022-01-01 14:34:42 UTC ]
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Dolly Parton will headline the audiobook cast of her debut novel Run Rose Run (Century) along with singer and songwriter Kelsea Ballerini in the role of protégée to Parton’s character. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-21 02:34:41 UTC ]
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Clemency Burton-Hill’s audiobook of Another Year of Wonder (Headline Home) will be narrated by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne, with an introduction from Elizabeth Day. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-20 14:20:56 UTC ]
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It was a chance to finally get around to Tolstoy or Proust, but the charts tell a different story. Which books did we actually turn to in the lockdowns? • Let us know in the comments what you were reading Back in spring 2020, when it became clear that coronavirus wasn’t going away, book lovers... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-12-11 09:00:06 UTC ]
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Alongside Richard Osman and JK Rowling, figures show huge successes for relative unknowns Ellery Adams and Brenda ChapmanThe UK’s library users are widely seen as a traditional bunch when it comes to choosing their next read, but while Richard Osman might have topped the list of the year’s... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-12-08 16:34:37 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 the year draws to a close, they’ve rounded up the very best audiobooks of 2021. Happy listening and happy holidays! * FICTION Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-12-06 09:53:47 UTC ]
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