Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose Audible?

Selection: Choose from more than 23,000 digital audio programs that you won't find anywhere else! Enjoy unabridged best sellers in genres like fiction, comedy, mystery, nonfiction, politics, self development, and language learning, informative audio newspapers and magazines like The New York Times Audio Digest, Forbes and Scientific American, public radio programs on demand like This American Life and Booknotes, and lots more.

Mobility: Listen on your AudibleReady® MP3 player, Creative® MuVo®, Apple® iPod", iPod mini, Palm OS handheld, Pocket PC, PC, Mac, or on CDs you burn yourself. Is your MP3 player or handheld AudibleReady®?

Freedom: Since you can download your books immediately -- 24 hours per day/7 days per week -- there is no time spent waiting for shipping and delivery! Even better, there are no time limits or due dates and there is nothing to return. You own your audiobooks forever!

Value: Compare our prices! Shop and save up to 35% off retail audio prices or join AudibleListener® for an even better deal and save up to 80%.

Is my device compatible with Audible?

In order to download a Books on Tape audiobook from Audible.com and play the content on a portable audio device, please make sure it is certified as AudibleReady®. Here is a list of popular brands that have this technology built in:

• Apple iPod (most popular models)
• Creative MuVo (128MB, Micro N200, Slim, TX FM 128MB, TX FM 256MB, V200)
  Jukebox Zen Extra (30GB, 40GB, 50GB)
• Kenwood Music Keg (10GB, 20GB)
• Rio (500, 600, 800, 900)
  Carbon (5GB, Pearl 5GB)
  CE2100 2.5GB
  Forge Sport (128MB, 256MB, 512MB)
• Soniqcast (Element Aireo, Element Aireo 2)
• Most Pocket PCs (check Audible.com for more details).

While many manufactuers have made the commitment to support Audible's technology, there is not yet 100% adoption. Here is short list of some devices are not yet compatibile:

• Creative Zen (Zen, Zen Micro, Zen Touch)
  MuVo (All MuVo² models, Sport C100, TX, USB 2.0, NX)
  
• Dell DJ (DJ 20, DJ 30, Pocket DJ)

Visit the Device Center at Audible.com to see a complete list of AudibleReady® devices.

What does AudibleReady® signify?

The AudibleReady® insignia was established to assist audiobook consumers who want to be able to easily identify portable media devices that have all the necessary features to play an audiobook. For a digitial media device to be deemed AudibleReady® it must comply with the following criteria:

1. The device must recognize and enforce Audible's security system so that content can't be pirated or illegally shared.
2. The device must have functionality that supports audiobooks. It must allow fast forward and fast reverse. It must hold bookmarks and resume playback where the customer stopped listening. It must also allow for partial transfer of longer audio programs.

Vist the Device Center at Audible.com to see a list of compatible AudibleReady® devices.

How does one buy at Audible?

Audible customers can buy audiobooks and programs in one of two ways:

1. Shop a la carte and buy as many audiobooks and programs as you want. For example, you can purchase Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (unabridged) and a month-long subscription to Forbes Magazine, then, one week later, purchase and download My Life (abridged) read by Bill Clinton. Prices average 30% off retail audio prices and you can get your first digital audiobook for only $9.95. (Click here to take advantage of this special introductory offer).
2. Join AudibleListener®, Audible's monthly membership program that lets you choose any two digital audiobooks each month for just $21.95. That's about the same price as one audiobook rental, but you get to download and listen to your audiobooks right away, and own them forever. You'll save about 80% off retail audio prices. If you want more than two audiobooks in a given month, you can buy as many as you want at Audible's regular low prices.

Can I rent from Audible?

No, but one of the great things about Audible is that once you've purchased a digital audio program, you own it forever. You can listen as many times as you want and download it as often as needed. If you get a new computer and want to enjoy an old favorite, you can download it (or any previous purchase) to your new computer at no additional cost. And don't forget that for about the same price as one audiobook rental, you can purchase, download, and keep any two digital audiobooks from Audible.

Can I listen to a download in my car?

Yes, it is possible to listen to an audio download in your car. If you have a tape player, you will be happy to know that most AudibleReady® devices come with or give you the option to purchase a tape adapter that fits into your vechicle's tape deck for easy listening. For those of you who have a CD player, you can either consider using an FM transmitter to play audio from a portable device or you can simply burn your Audible downloads to CDs. For a select number of iPod owners, there is also a way that you can attach your player directly to your car audio system (please see www.ipodyourbmw.com for more information).

How can I contact Audible?

To contact Audible, please call them directly at 1-888-283-9673. Operators are available from 9:00am to 9:00pm, Monday through Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm (support hours are based on Eastern Time).

E-mail support is available from Audible's website.

How long does it take to download an audio program from Audible?

Download speed depends on three elements:

• Your connection speed
• The length of the audio program
• The fidelity of the audio. Audible offers four audio fidelity formats for most titles. Format 1 is the most compressed, and will download fastest and take up the least space on your hard drive or device. Format 4 is the largest and slowest, but has the richest sound quality.

What do I need to get started?

Once you have decided on a selection or purchasing plan, there are three things that you will need to be able to listen to your audio download.

1. Credit Card: You will need a major credit card to set up your Audible account
2. Software: You can download AudibleManager®, Audible's free audio management software, from www.audible.com/software
3. Listening Environment: You should decide where you want to listen to your download -- on your desktop, using a portable AudibleReady® device, or by burning the content to CDs. Each option has slightly different requirements.

How many unabridged audiobooks does Audible offer?

At last count, Audible had more than 7,000 audiobooks, more than 3,000 of which are unabridged. We proudly offer audiobooks from over 170 publishers, including Books on Tape, Listening Library, Random House, Audio Reinassance, Simon & Schuster, High Bridge, Time Warner, Harper Audio, Penguin, Recorded Books, Blackstone, and more.

What is Audible?

Audible is your home for digital audiobooks and entertainment. More than 23,000 titles are available, including unabridged digital audiobooks, audio magazines, newspapers, and radio shows.

Audible offers:

• Popular authors like Dan Brown, Stephen King, Jonathan Kellerman, Carl Hiaasen, Sue Grafton, James Patterson, and more.
• Audio newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
• Audio magazines such as Fast Company, Scientific American, and Forbes.
• Radio programs on demand including Fresh Air, Booknotes, and This American Life.

Download your audio in minutes and listen anywhere you go using your Apple® iPod", iPod mini, Palm OS handheld, Creative® MuVo®, Pocket PC, computer, or other AudibleReady® device. You can even listen on CDs you burn yourself.

Audible's low prices let you save up to 80% off retail audio prices, with special offers like trying your first digital audiobook for just $9.95. You can also join AudibleListener®, Audible's monthly membership plan, and pay just $21.95 a month for any two digital audiobooks of your choice that you keep forever.