Audible replaces AudibleManager for Windows

[JSWolf]

I get most of my audiobooks from Hoopla or Overdrive.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by issybird

I can’t help tying the Audible changes to how Kindle has made it so much harder, if not impossible, to download books for the purposes of archiving and/or device shifting. I haven’t figured out the latter yet and I may well decide it’s easier just not to buy ebooks from Amazon any more. Personally, the Audible news won’t change things for me, but I take the point about Downpour; there are books I’d be devastated to lose and I should check my files.

Haven't noticed any issues with Kindle books on other devices, though my purchases are generally limited to First Reads freebies.

On a related Audible front, I took the $4.95/month for Audible Plus deal with a sweetener of a $10 Amazon credit. After much searching, I’ve concluded that Plus is valueless to me. I have found not one book of interest that I can’t get through Hoopla. Even $4.95/month is far too expensive for books I can get on demand for nothing at all elsewhere.

No Hoopla for me, alas. I used to use it and Freading through FLP; now none of my libraries offer those services. I am getting sick of Audible and the uncertainty they create with their changes. Thank goodness for Downpour and Overdrive!

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by issybird

I can’t help tying the Audible changes to how Kindle has made it so much harder, if not impossible, to download books for the purposes of archiving and/or device shifting. I haven’t figured out the latter yet and I may well decide it’s easier just not to buy ebooks from Amazon any more. Personally, the Audible news won’t change things for me, but I take the point about Downpour; there are books I’d be devastated to lose and I should check my files.

I haven't had any issues at all with device shifting of my Kindle purchases. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I have old e-ink Kindles connected to each of my Amazon accounts. But even so, if one is careful, K4PC can be worked with. Though I admit, it's getting more annoying.

As for Downpour? I always, ALWAYS back up books from there (and from Audible, I might add) immediately. All stored locally and in the cloud.

[JSWolf]

@Catlady is there any reason you have not upgraded to Windows 10? It's still free.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I haven't had any issues at all with device shifting of my Kindle purchases. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I have old e-ink Kindles connected to each of my Amazon accounts. But even so, if one is careful, K4PC can be worked with. Though I admit, it's getting more annoying.

My purchases go to Kindle for PC; I have avoided updating the program for years since I have the vague recollection that there were problems with de-DRMing when using later versions. I do have a Kindle to read on, but it's offline and unregistered, so I sideload the de-DRMed books.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@Catlady is there any reason you have not upgraded to Windows 10? It's still free.

I belong to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought. Also, I've never done an OS change, and it scares me (I've only upgraded when I had to buy a new computer). And I like Windows 7 just fine. I have a laptop with Windows 10, and it doesn't seem any better.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

My purchases go to Kindle for PC; I have avoided updating the program for years since I have the vague recollection that there were problems with de-DRMing when using later versions. I do have a Kindle to read on, but it's offline and unregistered, so I sideload the de-DRMed books.

Given that you have a Kindle, you don't have to worry about KindleforPC as you can download your Kindle eBooks direct from Amazon. You won't get KFX and you will be able to remove the DRM. I do suggest that you register your Kindle and then just keep WiFi off. No WiFi and Amazon cannot see anything you do.

I belong to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought. Also, I've never done an OS change, and it scares me (I've only upgraded when I had to buy a new computer). And I like Windows 7 just fine. I have a laptop with Windows 10, and it doesn't seem any better.

It's not a matter of Windows 10 being better or not. It's a matter of support. Calibre 5 is supported on Windows 10. Plus there will be less and less Windows 7 support as time goes on. Given that Windows 10 is still free, I suggest you give the upgrade a go. it's fairly easy to do. The biggest issue is that it takes a while to do the upgrade.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Once I convert the aax file, I delete it, so it's gone from my PC and from Audible Manager.

Originally Posted by bartveld

I found the AAX-file here: Users/[name]/AppData/Roaming/AudibleSync/downloads.

I strongly suspect that this AudibleSync thing will be followed by the elimination of .aax files entirely, likely to be replaced first by .aaxc, as has already happened on mobile devices.

Then the current .aax conversion tools will be of no use on any newly downloaded item.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by ApK

I strongly suspect that this AudibleSync thing will be followed by the elimination of .aax files entirely, likely to be replaced first by .aaxc, as has already happened on mobile devices.

Then the current .aax conversion tools will be of no use on any newly downloaded item.

Aren't the aaxc files only for the borrowed books--the KU "read and listen" books and the Audible Plus books? Are you saying that if you currenty download a purchased book to a device it's aaxc?

I seriously don't know what to think anymore about what Audible is doing.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given that you have a Kindle, you don't have to worry about KindleforPC as you can download your Kindle eBooks direct from Amazon. You won't get KFX and you will be able to remove the DRM. I do suggest that you register your Kindle and then just keep WiFi off. No WiFi and Amazon cannot see anything you do.

But why bother? It would create an extra step--move the file from the device to the PC to convert.

It's not a matter of Windows 10 being better or not. It's a matter of support. Calibre 5 is supported on Windows 10. Plus there will be less and less Windows 7 support as time goes on. Given that Windows 10 is still free, I suggest you give the upgrade a go. it's fairly easy to do. The biggest issue is that it takes a while to do the upgrade.

On the other hand, there are programs on my Windows 7 computer that might not run on Windows 10. Right now, everything works adequately, I'm happy, and I'll just wait till the PC needs replacing with whatever the newest OS is.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Aren't the aaxc files only for the borrowed books--the KU "read and listen" books and the Audible Plus books? Are you saying that if you currenty download a purchased book to a device it's aaxc?

I seriously don't know what to think anymore about what Audible is doing.

AFAIK The Mobile apps only download in .aaxc format now, borrowed or owned.

What they are doing, I'd say, is fighting to keep the walls of their garden up, and, just like Apple and many others, trying to keep as much control of content as possible in their hands and out of yours.

[latepaul]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Aren't the aaxc files only for the borrowed books--the KU "read and listen" books and the Audible Plus books? Are you saying that if you currenty download a purchased book to a device it's aaxc?

Yes. I was inspired by this thread to check and I downloaded some of the (purchased) books from my Audible library to my phone and the files are indeed aaxc.

At the moment however I can still download aax files on Windows and Linux. The former using Download Manager or the Windows 10 Audible app, and the later by direct download from the website.

Personally I'm waiting to see what they actually change.

[bartveld]

Originally Posted by latepaul

Yes. I was inspired by this thread to check and I downloaded some of the (purchased) books from my Audible library to my phone and the files are indeed aaxc.

I wonder if those files are still accessible when you rename them to aax.

[latepaul]

Originally Posted by bartveld

I wonder if those files are still accessible when you rename them to aax.

No. I tried that.

If you google aaxc eventually you can find a way to dedrm them but it's a bit awkward and technical at the moment. I imagine someone will simplify it if that becomes the only option.

[Catlady]

I purchased a couple of books from the current Audible sale yesterday, using my PC to download, as usual. Though Audible Manager opened on its own, as usual, the titles were not added to it as the downloads were completed. The files were all aax and I had no issue with converting them.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I purchased a couple of books from the current Audible sale yesterday, using my PC to download, as usual. Though Audible Manager opened on its own, as usual, the titles were not added to it as the downloads were completed. The files were all aax and I had no issue with converting them.

Certainly, they didn't announce AudibleSync and then break everyone's Audible Manager right away. Get them while you can, because I suspect the AudibleSync announcement heralds the elimination of aax in the near future.