Today, Google announced that it is launching audiobooks on Google Play in 45 countries and nine languages.
“With audiobooks on Google Play, you can turn your time stuck in traffic, on the treadmill, or waiting in line into reading time,” Google’s Greg Hartrell explains. “Find your next great read at an affordable price, and enjoy it across Android, iOS and the web with Google Play Books, as well as on devices that include the Google Assistant, like Google Home and many others.”
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I’ve already voiced my opinion on this service—Audible is clearly the better choice—but putting that aside, here is why Google says you may be interested:
No subscription required. Audible doesn’t require one either, though getting one will save you money if you buy a lot of audiobooks.
Family sharing. You can share your audiobooks with everyone in your family through Family Library for no additional fee.
Google Assistant compatibility. Audible currently doesn’t work with Chromecast or Google Assistant, but Google Play Books works just fine! No worries, Audible fans: I’ve already described the workaround I use, and it works just fine.
Pick up where you left off. Audible does this too, but your Google Play Books-based audiobooks save your listening position in the cloud so you can easily move between devices, like an Android phone on the go and a Google Home device at home.
My advice is to skip this. But there you go.
Bats
<p>Uh Oh. Paul Thurrott recommends to skip this. It must be worth taking a look. (lol)</p><p>Here is the thing….</p><p>Audible has been around since…forever. There really is no other "real" place to buy audiobooks then Amazon. If Google is serious about this space, then it's worth taking a look and trying it. </p><p>Competition is good.</p><p>If Google decides to compete, then it's also win for Audible die-hards. </p><p>Android/Google dominates (almost) everything in technology. If you are into installing a lot of Apps on your phone, because you either need them all or just like having them, then perhaps stick with Audible. However, if you are minimalist, then maybe Google Audiobooks are for you. It's one less app to install; one less sign-in to do. A few less clicks to perform, especially if Google Play is your primary source for entertainment. </p><p>As for reliability, I can't see Google abandoning this product. I can see them expanding it, as they normally do with most their other "version 1" products. I can see their library growing, functionality increasing, and perhaps price lowering. There is also native accessibility when it comes to Android Auto. </p><p>Not just, but do you know what I am also finding, regarding Google Play? Google Play often….and I mean OFTEN….offers discounts on a number of their products. They often offer .99 movie rentals and slash prices off their movies. In addition, if you sign up and do that Google Rewards App, which is a bunch of 3-4 question surveys, you can earn some money that can build up your Google Play balance, which you can apply to the purchase of anything in the Google Play store.</p><p>IMO, this a natural choice for those, who haven't started an audible books collection, uses an Android smartphone, a Google Home digital assistant and also the Chrome browser.</p>