Kindle Unlimited becoming Kindle Plus

[JBaby]

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

No, see those require pesky humans to read the books and those cost money.

Ding, Ding, Ding!!!! You get a prize!!!!

[Josieb1]

I read books in KU (now Kindle +), not sure I would be interested in audiobooks as I already have an Audible subscription, certainly not AI produced, I don’t go near AI ebooks so audio is a no no.

[pepperminttree]

Kobo Unlimited when...?

[Frogm4n]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I just bailed on a purchase recently when I noticed the author was the narrator. I've never consciously given such an audiobook a shot. I just know it seems like a terrible idea.

It really depends on the author for my tastes. Cory Doctorow is usually pretty good. Recently I got an audiobook of Gil Duran reading his book and it was a struggle at times. I do appreciate when an author reading works out, though, because they can give the tone and pacing they intended when writing. I've picked up on jokes and puns that weren't clear in print when the author put emphasis on things while performing.

The AI readers can't do that any better than a human. I'll take TTS that is consistently mediocre long before an AI even if it's "better" because the sudden odd pauses and emphasis that it makes are more jarring. Much like driving down a gravel road is better than hitting potholes on a highway.

[salamanderjuice]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

It really depends on the author for my tastes. Cory Doctorow is usually pretty good. Recently I got an audiobook of Gil Duran reading his book and it was a struggle at times. I do appreciate when an author reading works out, though, because they can give the tone and pacing they intended when writing. I've picked up on jokes and puns that weren't clear in print when the author put emphasis on things while performing.

The AI readers can't do that any better than a human. I'll take TTS that is consistently mediocre long before an AI even if it's "better" because the sudden odd pauses and emphasis that it makes are more jarring. Much like driving down a gravel road is better than hitting potholes on a highway.

I've done it for comedians and been pretty happy with the results. But they already know how to perform audibly.

I think TTS could be done well if someone gave the time to actually indicate where and how emphasis should be given. Will they? Probably not.

[DNSB]

I've been helping a friend of mine who is having vision problems with audio books. One source they has been very happy with is GraphicAudio. Their audiobooks are on the expensive end but they use a cast instead of a single/dual narrator. My spouse and I picked up a omnibus version of Ilona Andrews' Hidden Legacy series (first 4 books plus the novella between 3 & 4) as a birthday present which cost us ~$80 US.

[ottdmk]

I'm honestly a bit surprised they went with "Kindle+", when "KoboPlus" has been in use for years.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I just bailed on a purchase recently when I noticed the author was the narrator. I've never consciously given such an audiobook a shot. I just know it seems like a terrible idea.

As always there are exceptions. Nathan Lowell Narrated his Golden Age... series.
Good story, Good presentation

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

I do appreciate when an author reading works out, though, because they can give the tone and pacing they intended when writing. I've picked up on jokes and puns that weren't clear in print when the author put emphasis on things while performing.

Huh. If an author can't make his meaning clear through the written word alone, then that's bad writing.

[JBaby]

Originally Posted by theducks

As always there are exceptions. Nathan Lowell Narrated his Golden Age... series.
Good story, Good presentation

I agree wholeheartedly! Many of the Podiobook authors were good at reading their books. Mark Jeffrey’s Max Quick series is another good example.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

I'm honestly a bit surprised they went with "Kindle+", when "KoboPlus" has been in use for years.

I think it's because every other subscription entertainment delivery service is now called "Product+".

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by nabsltd

I think it's because every other subscription entertainment delivery service is now called "Product+".

Translation into English: "Product$"

[NNolan]

My new Kindle had an offer for 3 free months of K+ while I was setting it up. Woo hoo!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Translation into English: "Product$"