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Nokia is pushing for audio books to be heard on mobile phones

By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 PM

Audio books are set to be revolutionised by a tiny card that can store up to five lengthy novels on a phone.

The card can be slotted into a mobile phone, dispensing with the need to carry up to six CDs for an audio version of a book. The technology, originally developed to store music, will be released this year by Nokia.

One title that will be available is the bestselling Looking Good Dead, by the British thriller writer Peter James. He said: “I think this will revolutionise storytelling . . . with this, you can wander off into the park, lie down and listen to a book.”

Nokia is introducing the technology initially with James’s German publisher, S Fischer Verlage. His publisher in Britain, Macmillan, is in talks for a British version. Annual sales of audio books have reached about £71 million in Britain and £435 million in America.

Source: Times Online

I guess by that tiny card they mean a miniSD card. I don’t know about this … I mean people just have to learn how to rip their CD’s and transfer files to their phone. Then again this article is vague about the implementation so I can’t knock it until I get more information.

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About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

  • Viipottaja

    Saying “people just have to learn” to do this or that is easy, but not always realistic. Ease of use is ultimately the main thing for most people. If they can buy a Mini/microSD card with a book or two loaded into it on the cheap, they may be interested. Or it could also work if an online service is made available whereby you plug your phone through UBS to your PC, and you can dowload directly to its memory card.

  • Ricky Cadden

    Something like Audible.com is doing would be great. I have podcasts that I listen to but I’d also like to be able to listen to a book that I’m trying to read.

    The only problem with this isn’t Nokia’s fault. The problem is the voice used to read the book. I signed up for a trial of Audible.com at one point and got the book Wild At Heart. If you don’t know, it’s a Christian living book that’s all about men and how we’re supposed to live more adventuresome lives than we are, and how “Christian” doesn’t mean we’re a boring man who doesn’t do anything risky or daring or “manly.” Definitley a good read if you need one.

    The problem? It was read by an old woman!! Absolutely COULD NOT READ IT.

  • Stefan Constantinescu

    like i said this article is vague about their implementation

    if itunes is easy enough to pop in a cd and rip it then why should nokia have any trouble replicating the experience?

  • Janine

    My question is what happens when you’re well into an audio book and you want to place a phone call? When you pause or stop the mp3 file to PLACE a call your spot is lost :shock: – you’re back at the beginning of the book and have to find your spot all over again! Of course, if someone calls you, you can simply pause and pick up where you left off.