-
Learning Innovation
A space for conversation and debate about learning and technology.
Title
Audible's Lost MobilePlayer
Orphaned and abandoned hardware.
By
How many of us audiobook fanatics and Audible Stockholm Syndrome customers realize that Audible once sold hardware?
Back in 1998 (or late 1997 - Wikipedia is a bit unclear), Audible released the MobilePlayer. You connected the thing through the serial port on your computer, fired up Windows 95, and downloaded your maximum of 2 hours of audio to the device.
A 1999 review of the Audible MobilePlayer found that the system “works as advertised”. I was also interested to learn that the Audible MobilePlayer was designed by IDEO. The design actually looks quite nice.
The original player cost $99 if you agreed to purchase at least $120 worth of Audibooks throughout the year. Apparently, a player with more memory (the original had 4mb) was in the works - one able to hold up to 7.5 hours of audio - but I can’t find any record of it ever being released
The date when Audible’s MobilePlayer was discontinued is also a bit unclear. The iPod, which killed all the other portable audio players, was not released until 2001.
Could you buy an Audible MobilePlayer in 2000? I don’t know.
Why do I find this Audible MobilePlayer so fascinating?
I had no idea that Audible ever released any hardware until I stumbled on an article on the Rise of the Audiobook.
The idea that at one point Audible was combining content, software and hardware is intriguing. Today, with the iPod and the iPad and the Kindle, this strategy seems mainstream. Back in 1997 Audible was ahead of the game.
I fully expect that we will soon see an Amazon phone.
My expectation is that digital books will be deeply embedded in the OS, and that buying and consuming e-books and audiobooks will be seamless.
Amazon will do this because Apple insists on a cut if books are purchased from the iOS Kindle or Audible app.
Will anyone remember Audible’s MobilePlayer when the Amazon phone emerges?
What is your favorite orphaned and abandoned hardware?
Read more by
Inside Higher Ed Careers
Hiring? Post A Job Today!
Browse Faculty Jobs
Browse Administrative Jobs
Browse Executive Administration Jobs
College Pages
Popular Right Now
Biden takes action on immigration on day one
Biden extends break on repaying student loans
Historians: Trump administration's report on U.S. history belongs in the trash
U of Florida asks students to report professors who aren't teaching in person
Biden's administration brings hopes going to college will become affordable for youth
Biden selects Miguel Cardona as education secretary
Higher Education Events Calendar & People
Struggling liberal arts colleges should look to their backyards to ensure their future (opinion)
Adding College Transfer to the Biden Administration's Agenda | Tackling Transfer
We are retiring comments and introducing Letters to the Editor. Share your thoughts »
Expand commentsHide comments