Amazon Acquires Audible – Paul Asks About Apple

by Paul Colligan on January 31, 2008

Amazon is going to acquire Audible.  This deal makes sense in so many ways, I have no need to comment on it. You can follow the chatter at Techmeme if you desire.

But, the question that nobody is asking is this … what about Apple?

Right now, Audible provides the tech behind Apple’s Audio book chunk of iTunes.  I emphasize right now.  Contract is due to be re-examined soon too if I remember right.

Amazon and Apple are quickly becoming bigger and bigger competitors.  Somehow, I don’t see Apple giving Amazon access to their DRM infrastructure – do you?

If so, if the format war now going to affect audio books as well?

Sure hope not – but I don’t see any other options – do you?

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  • Drew
    Apple shouldn't have bought Audible because owning content wouldn't be good for Apple.

    Sony bought content (movies, music) and it killed them as an innovative electronics company, because they started to think how best to get paid for their content (DRM), instead of how to make hardware people want.
  • There is no reason for Apple to buy Audible (which is why they didn't) - there was a reason for Amazon to buy them.

    That's not the question - the question is ... what will this do to Audible Audio Books and the iPod.

    Paul
  • mark
    I've always assumed that the DRM and file format of audible's audiobooks belonged to audible and not Apple. Rather, Apple implemented audible's protection into iTunes and its iPods. I don't know which way it really is.

    But if my assumption is correct, then there's no reason for Apple to buy Audible. It's not strategic for Apple since audiobooks are not a big driver of iPod/iPhone sales.
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