Review by TCC Edwards -- Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice
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TCC Edwards
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 01 Feb 2016, 21:55
- Currently Reading: The Punch Escrow
- Bookshelf Size: 19
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tcc-edwards.html
- Latest Review: "The Nobel Prize" by Mois benarroch
Review by TCC Edwards -- Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice" by Audiobooks.]
3 out of 4 stars
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This review is a bit different - I'm taking a look at the service offered by Audiobooks dot com rather than any single product produced.
There's a filter which prevents me from typing URLs, so I'll refer to the service as simply Audiobooks with a capital A.
As you might guess, Audiobooks offers audiobooks, much like the established giant Audible. When you create an account with Audiobooks, you get 1 free credit which you may use to download any audiobook they sell. There are Android, iOS, Windows, and other versions of the Audiobooks app offered, covering pretty much any device you could think of using.
My choice for my free credit was a geeky one, I fully admit. I got Rogue One: Catalyst - mostly because it's been decades since I've touched a Star Wars book, and it was prominently displayed once I had my free credit. What I got turned out to very good production with folly effects, guest voices, and hints of background music at various points. The quality of the audio was superb - I didn't notice any static or disruptions in the audio at all. I listened while my phone was online and offline; mostly offline, as I take in audiobooks on my way to work.
I've since discovered that while online, my place in the audiobook is updated automatically across my devices. I can play the book with my phone in the car, and pick up exactly where I left off with my laptop later on. I really appreciate this seamless play - it's a huge advantage over my usual habit of downloading mp3 audiobooks and copying them onto my phone.
One disadvantage, however, is that there is no control over where the audiobook file goes - on a mobile phone or tablet, the app automatically puts audio files in the main storage space. If you have a lot of apps, you might be pressed for space on your phone. Mind you, the files are just regular mp3 audio files, so you can search your phone for the audio files and copy them elsewhere - you just won't be able to use the app to play them, or enjoy the seamless updates.
I also have an account with Amazon and Audible, and I can say that while Audiobooks offers a comparable service, it still has a way to go before it can really compete with Audible. The selection of books, while robust, is nowhere near that offered by Audible. Take the Online Book Club favorite Nightlord: Sunset. Using Audible, I was easily able to grab an audio version and start listening to that story, but it is nowhere to be found in the Audiobooks selection. It's easy to get most popular or bestselling titles on Audiobooks, but you won't find many obscure or independent selections.
I give this service 3 out of 4 stars. I can't give it a perfect rating because, frankly, Audible is better. If you're going to pay for an audiobook service, your money is better spent on Audible - the Audible apps have all the same features as Audiobooks plus a much larger selection. While there are titles on Audiobooks you cannot get through Audible, Audible has the advantage in terms of both popular and independent releases.
******
Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice
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3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This review is a bit different - I'm taking a look at the service offered by Audiobooks dot com rather than any single product produced.
There's a filter which prevents me from typing URLs, so I'll refer to the service as simply Audiobooks with a capital A.
As you might guess, Audiobooks offers audiobooks, much like the established giant Audible. When you create an account with Audiobooks, you get 1 free credit which you may use to download any audiobook they sell. There are Android, iOS, Windows, and other versions of the Audiobooks app offered, covering pretty much any device you could think of using.
My choice for my free credit was a geeky one, I fully admit. I got Rogue One: Catalyst - mostly because it's been decades since I've touched a Star Wars book, and it was prominently displayed once I had my free credit. What I got turned out to very good production with folly effects, guest voices, and hints of background music at various points. The quality of the audio was superb - I didn't notice any static or disruptions in the audio at all. I listened while my phone was online and offline; mostly offline, as I take in audiobooks on my way to work.
I've since discovered that while online, my place in the audiobook is updated automatically across my devices. I can play the book with my phone in the car, and pick up exactly where I left off with my laptop later on. I really appreciate this seamless play - it's a huge advantage over my usual habit of downloading mp3 audiobooks and copying them onto my phone.
One disadvantage, however, is that there is no control over where the audiobook file goes - on a mobile phone or tablet, the app automatically puts audio files in the main storage space. If you have a lot of apps, you might be pressed for space on your phone. Mind you, the files are just regular mp3 audio files, so you can search your phone for the audio files and copy them elsewhere - you just won't be able to use the app to play them, or enjoy the seamless updates.
I also have an account with Amazon and Audible, and I can say that while Audiobooks offers a comparable service, it still has a way to go before it can really compete with Audible. The selection of books, while robust, is nowhere near that offered by Audible. Take the Online Book Club favorite Nightlord: Sunset. Using Audible, I was easily able to grab an audio version and start listening to that story, but it is nowhere to be found in the Audiobooks selection. It's easy to get most popular or bestselling titles on Audiobooks, but you won't find many obscure or independent selections.
I give this service 3 out of 4 stars. I can't give it a perfect rating because, frankly, Audible is better. If you're going to pay for an audiobook service, your money is better spent on Audible - the Audible apps have all the same features as Audiobooks plus a much larger selection. While there are titles on Audiobooks you cannot get through Audible, Audible has the advantage in terms of both popular and independent releases.
******
Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice
Audiobooks Free Trial
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Latest Review: "The Nobel Prize" by Mois benarroch
