Time Control On Steroids - The Downloadable Audio Book Phenomenon
In a quiet corner of the Internet a revolution is rapidly gaining pace - a revolution that offers the chance of injecting a greater level of quality and intellectual stimulation to the mountain of offerings currently available.
Where is the revolution taking place? Well, it's building steam in the realm of audio books - downloadable audio books to be precise - and it promises to fill the need for high quality content that is both portable and easy to access.
Take Control of Your Time - Without The Fluff
What's more, it portends great things, not just for ordinary book lovers, but for multi-taskers seeking a better way to fill those 'dead' hours - that time that is unavoidably taken up with tasks that leave you desperate for something other than the force-fed fare of homogenized muzak or agonizingly inane chatter on much of commercial radio that so often surrounds us.
Now, if you are excited by the thought of being able to positively employ the 'lost' time that inevitably accompanies work-outs at the gym, a jog in the park or those interminable hours forfeited during bus, train or plane transport, then a downloadable audio book is exactly what you need.
Acceptance Shows The Thirst For Quality
So, is this really a new nirvana? Haven't we heard it all before? Well, not quite like this, and not quite so dramatically either. You see, since 2004, one of the most striking growth areas in Internet take-up has been in the realm of 'spoken word' products, otherwise known as audio books.
Indeed, so positive is the advance that some industry sources are predicting that audio books will outpace printed books within the very near future to become the Web's top selling product.
Figures released by the Audio Publisher's Association certainly reinforce the notion that web savvy buyers have taken to downloadable books with gusto. According to their data, this new industry was worth $800 million in 2004, yet one year later had grown by over 150% to become a $2 billion performer.
So, what is it that is enticing so many people to this new medium?
Clearly, one attraction is the ability to carry around so much literary gold in one's pocket. With the advent of ever cheaper, more capacious MP3 players such as the iPod by Apple Inc., and the even cheaper Creative Zen line amongst many others, you can download vast libraries of pre-recorded books and carry them in your shirt pocket or pop them in your purse and hardly realise that they are there..
Wealth of Content
And the choice of downloadable audio book content these days is as comprehensive as you could wish for. Are you seeking entertainment, business advice, self help or health? Well, it's all there. And more. From Stephen King thrillers to the poetic Dylan Thomas and the diarist Samuel Pepys, to business gurus such as Michael Gerber and Jack Welch, there is a wealth of material to satisfy virtually any taste.
Downloading procedures are also straightforward these days, and with the spread of broadband, download times should be quite quick, too.
It is difficult to give a clear estimate of file sizes, however, as there are a number of factors involved. These, of course, include the length of the original text, whether it is abridged or not, and the audio quality settings of the download.
For example, many audio book providers only offer qualities up to a bitrate of 32 kbps whereas some, such as the popular www.AudioBookScape.com, offer 3 file types up the highest quality of 128 kbps.
With 3 different bitrates to chose from you can select whether to go for compactness or the best audio quality but with a larger file size.
A one hour audio book, therefore could run from approximately 14 MB at the standard quality to around 54 MB at the highest quality level, though many people will find the enhanced mid-quality level to be the best balance of size and sound and thus only require about 27 MB of space (Note these are only general approximations).
But with iPods and other MP3 players happily storing upwards of 2-4 GB of data, you can pack away around 50-100 hours or more of listening inspiration in your pocket and double your pleasure as you listen to your latest audio book and watch the sun go down or feel much less irritation as you watch the waiting list at the doctor's office just perceptibly shrink.
You might even offer to let the next patient go ahead, as you become riveted to the story unfolding to you alone. So, considering joining the revolution today and taking back how you control time. May the book (audio, of course) be with you. Happy listening.
Join the 'Give Me Back My Time' Revolution' here.
Related Tags: time, book, audio, control, the, steroids, on, downloadable, phenomenon
Simon Loveday is an Internet veteran with a keen interest in the development of audio and video related products and services. He runs his own consultancy for those just starting out on the Web at www.InternetBizNessXpress.com and the popular audio-book library at www.AudioBookScape.com. Dedicated to high quality spoken word content that is easy to access, Simon Loveday believes in giving visitors to his site the very best service possible. See if he's been successful. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Kids Halloween Party Ideas
Hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner already. This is a very popular holiday especial - Inexpensive Party Favor Ideas For Party Guests
The cost of a gift is not the most important, but rather the thought behind it. There are different - The Major Benefits of Watching Funny Videos
Funny videos have gained a wide audience all over the world. This is due to the impact it has made i - Handy Things to Know About Concert Tickets
There are a lot of people that spend time and money going to concerts. This makes knowing the facts - Travel Magazine And How To Pick Up A Good Copy
Many people enjoy reading magazines. They are a quick read and can be picked up in many locations. M - Planning the Infamous Holiday Office Party
Ok, so you're in charge of planning the infamous holiday office party. If you've ever seen the TV sh - How to Choose Songs That Are Suited to Your Voice - So You Always Sound Fantastic!
Hello singers! In this article, you'll learn how to choose songs that compliment your voice… so you - Host a Professional Halloween Quiz This Halloween
If you are having a bunch of friends around for Halloween, why not give them a Halloween Quiz? If yo - Discovering How Popular Horror Movies Can Enhance Halloween Fun
Throwing a Halloween party? Why not make it a night with themes from popular horror movies? For, wit - The Art Of The French Revolution
The art of pre-revolutionary France was decidedly frivolous in its subject matter and deliciously de
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Complete Defenition of the 3D
3D computer graphics as seen on FaceYourArt.comA 3D rendering with raytracing and ambient occlusion - Unlimited Movie Downloads Tips - Pick the Best, Dump the Rest
Unlimited movie downloads have made it much easier for busy folks like us to watch our favorite movi - Get Your Alliance Character To 60 In A Week
You may have looked around on the internet for WoW power leveling guides and come up empty-handed or - Why Do We Gamble?
Why do People Gamble? Gambling is a past-time activity enjoyed by many people. Some play at hom - Video Poker (jacks or Better) Tips
Video poker made its entry in the 1970s. It has proven to be a popular form of gaming. Video poker o - Top 7 Video Games For Children Ages 5 - 8
Many parents worry about the video games available to children today with all the violence. However - Why I Love Strategy Games
A strategy game is one in which the skills of the play and his decision making combine to influence - Prison Break's Wentworth Miller: I'm not Gay
In an attempt to put a stop to the lingering gossip and to clarify his name once and for all, Wenthw - Guys, Valentine's Day will be Heaven or Hell for you...
Guys, I know it's not fashionable to get ahead of yourself for holidays. I don't buy Christmas gift - Comparing 6 String And 12 String Guitars
6-string or 12-string Acoustic guitar, which should you get? Both have pros and cons, and both are e