Amazon Now Teasing Audible Audiobook Support on $79 Kindle
When the original Kindle launched in 2007, it could play audiobooks sold by Amazon's (then) recently-acquired Audible. This feature was dropped from later models as they lost support for audio, but now Amazon is bringing it back.
The new Kindle Oasis will play Audible audiobooks (the feature is coming in an update after it ships) and now Amazon is teasing that support will be coming to the $79 Kindle.
Amazon has updated the listing for the basic Kindle with this nugget of detail:
- With built-in Audible, access the world’s largest library of audiobooks. Easily switch between reading and listening on Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones. Available in the coming months.
Amazon hasn't mentioned Audible support on the listings for the Voyage or Paperwhite, and there's no specific date on when the basic Kindle will get the feature, so it might not arrive until next year.
But the feature will arrive eventually, at which time you are better off not using it.
The thing about the Kindle is that it has a small battery. When used as an ereader, the Kindle will last for weeks, but streaming audio over Bluetooth will drain the battery quickly. Said Kindle also has limited storage - 4GB (3GB is user accessible). So even if you didn't run out of battery life, you're still run out of storage after a handful of audiobooks.
So while the basic Kindle could certainly function as an audiobook player, you would be better off using some other device.
image by gminguzzi
Why in the world would I care about listening to audiobooks on my kindle, when my phone can already do that? It’s not as if I’m going to stick my kindle in my back pocket when I go out to walk the dog just to listen to audiobooks.
The Kindle 8 has bluetooth, so it makes sense it will support audiobook playback. The older Oasis 1, Paperwhite 3 and Voyage does not have bluetooth.
It has the hardware, so it is nice to use it even if most people use their smartphone.
Actually I think the white Paperwhite has bluetooth.
I don’t think it would be nice to use on the basic Kindle, it really has a terrible battery life. When I used it I frequently had to charge it, and that’s just reading.