Audible and Alexa...
Discussion
You can either buy individual books, or you can buy credits.
The £8 a month buys you one credit a month*... you then exchange that credit to buy a book. You then "own" the book "for ever". It's not at all like a library service/Netflix.
I tend to pay for a package of credits annually which I then top up when I run low. It works out at a bit less than £8 a credit... Maybe £7 last time I looked. If you buy individual books they can be £20 each.
The credit approach works really well if you subscribe over long periods of time as you build a library you "own" (great with kids for example). Of course £8 a book isn't cheap if you only read books once and are used to either going to a library or paying £3 for a paperback. But as a book lasts 15hrs plus, i think it compares OK to a movie.
Overall though the content on audible is generally excellent and it works very well with Echos/Alexa - for your parent I imagine it would be ideal. Also if you set them up on your account you can access the same books in the car/on your devices I imagine.
Hope that helps.
N.b. *plus included access to some podcasts/exclusives
The £8 a month buys you one credit a month*... you then exchange that credit to buy a book. You then "own" the book "for ever". It's not at all like a library service/Netflix.
I tend to pay for a package of credits annually which I then top up when I run low. It works out at a bit less than £8 a credit... Maybe £7 last time I looked. If you buy individual books they can be £20 each.
The credit approach works really well if you subscribe over long periods of time as you build a library you "own" (great with kids for example). Of course £8 a book isn't cheap if you only read books once and are used to either going to a library or paying £3 for a paperback. But as a book lasts 15hrs plus, i think it compares OK to a movie.
Overall though the content on audible is generally excellent and it works very well with Echos/Alexa - for your parent I imagine it would be ideal. Also if you set them up on your account you can access the same books in the car/on your devices I imagine.
Hope that helps.
N.b. *plus included access to some podcasts/exclusives
I recently took their free trial, when I didn't renew they offered it for £3.99/month for 3 months, with 2 initial credits for being a Prime member, and 1 x credit each month. I think I got 5 x credits in total.
I purchased books with the credits, downloaded them to my laptop, and cancelled the subscription at the end of the 3 months. So for £12 I get five audio books. Out of the ones I fancied owning, I chose ones that were long, say 8hr books instead of 2hr books. There are also some free books on there.
I seem to recall when ending the subscription I was told that any unclaimed credits would be lost, and I downloaded my books first.
I didn't realise that Alexa could read them to me, never thought of that. But I guess now I don't have an Audible account that won't be possible.
Some info on this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I purchased books with the credits, downloaded them to my laptop, and cancelled the subscription at the end of the 3 months. So for £12 I get five audio books. Out of the ones I fancied owning, I chose ones that were long, say 8hr books instead of 2hr books. There are also some free books on there.
I seem to recall when ending the subscription I was told that any unclaimed credits would be lost, and I downloaded my books first.
I didn't realise that Alexa could read them to me, never thought of that. But I guess now I don't have an Audible account that won't be possible.
Some info on this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by LeadFarmer on Saturday 13th March 10:32
condor said:
I listen to audio books via the local public library system on a Kindle Fire so they are free and you have them for 21 days and can renew if that's not long enough. I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of this system.
How do you access them? Do the library give you an app to play them from?If you are a member of your local public library then it should be on their website of how to use your library number to gain access. I did it prelockdown via the mobile library service and was given a PIN to use with my library number to access the libraries ebooks, audiobooks and magazine sites. You should even be able to access membership, if you don't have it, via your local council website.
There is an audiobook thread on the sub forum books and literature too.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There is an audiobook thread on the sub forum books and literature too.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
condor said:
If you are a member of your local public library then it should be on their website of how to use your library number to gain access. I did it prelockdown via the mobile library service and was given a PIN to use with my library number to access the libraries ebooks, audiobooks and magazine sites. You should even be able to access membership, if you don't have it, via your local council website.
There is an audiobook thread on the sub forum books and literature too.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks.There is an audiobook thread on the sub forum books and literature too.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The problem being the user is virtually blind and not IT literate enough for that option,hence wanting to use a speech driven device.
Hadnt seen that other thread, thanks.
I download the books on my laptop and they appear on the kindle fire ( which is what I use to listen to them on) as both use the same wifi. The Kindle fire also has Alexa enabled ( if wanted) so could be done via voice control. I am not tech savvy at all, so haven't used that option - but I know using Alexa is an option.
condor said:
I download the books on my laptop and they appear on the kindle fire ( which is what I use to listen to them on) as both use the same wifi. The Kindle fire also has Alexa enabled ( if wanted) so could be done via voice control. I am not tech savvy at all, so haven't used that option - but I know using Alexa is an option.
Ok, thanks, I'll try and speak to the local library....Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff