For many years now, I’ve been an Audible member, listening to audiobooks in my car. I’m also a dedicated Kindle reader, reading (mostly) on my Android. So I was pretty excited to test out the new Amazon feature that automatically syncs audiobooks with Kindle books, so that I can pick up wherever I was, no matter whether I was reading or listening!
The rub is that one still needs to buy both versions, but it seems that Amazon (which now owns Audible) is offering a considerable discount on the audiobook if you buy the Kindle book first. For example, after buying the Kindle format of The Round House, I was offered the Audible version for just $3.95. Now, paying TWICE for the same book doesn’t make any sense, but the convenience of reading/listening to one book in both my car and my bed: PRICELESS!
Amazon calls this feature Whispersync for Voice. And you will need the free Audible app (iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire) and a free Kindle app or Kindle reader.
Before this announcement, Kindle already had Text-to-Speech. But this was simply a clever parlor trick, and not an enjoyable way to listen to books. If this is what you think of when you think of audiobooks, you really need to try a professional audiobook narrated by actors.
As far as my test run went, it worked exactly as I expected. Keep in mind you need to have Internet access (such as WiFi or cellular) in order for the apps to record/retrieve your last “page.” In the Audible app, I needed to click the sync icon before starting to listen. But this might have been because I was quickly switching between the two. Perhaps if I had more than a few seconds between the two, it would have sync’ed on its own.
Best of all, you can try Whispersync for Voice for FREE with the free Kindle/audiobooks listed here.
The Whispersync for Voice library is currently about 20,000 titles, but I assume this will grow over time.
Anyone else excited by this new Kindle feature?
Barbara Feldman says
So, if your ebook and audiobook, haven’t automatically synced, you can hurry things along by doing a manual sync. Where the button is depends on which device/app you are trying to sync from. On the Audible app tap the Settings icon in the left-hand corner of My Library and tap Sync Device Position. On many of the Kindle apps, the Sync to Furthest Read button can be found under the Home menu.
BJ says
Elementary – how do I sync them? Where is this ‘sync icon’?
Ron says
Not impressed. Haven’t found any of my many Kindle purchases that are available fir sync with Audible.
dastanee says
i newe need to led to get on cause myteacher want me get on because my teacher said i need to look up a song for him
lito de como ganar dinero en internet says
How to Sync an Audiobook with a Kindle eBook
lito reyes