Audible replaces AudibleManager for Windows

[bartveld]

Let's just hope there is going to be an "Alf's apprentice" for this in the near future.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

It's actually Download Manager that copies the DRM access to your computer. This usually happens during the step that say "adding to Windows Media Player" I believe.

While it is probably not that helpful at this point the Download Manager will fail to add your titles to the Audible Manager if the Audible Manager is already open. Close the Audible Manager after each download and this will not happen. Or, alternatively, let it happen, then re-name the file to something that doesn't contain 72,000 extraneous characters, and then add manually. I do this for the best results.

I'm getting more confused, and I think some of it is semantics--I'm not sure we're talking about the same things.

When I click the download button at the Audible web page, it opens a little window that is labeled Audible Downloads. The audiobook starts to download, showing a status bar. When it gets to 100 percent, it processes for a while, eventually opening Audible Manager, to which the book is added. I close and ignore Audible Manager, open the Audible downloads folder, and convert the book with aaxtomp3.

There's no time in the process when I actually use Audible Manager, nor do I do anything with Windows Media Player. I never open Audible Manager on my own. Once I convert the aax file, I delete it, so it's gone from my PC and from Audible Manager.

Anyway, if the original Audible Downloads window still works, it seems like there shouldn't be a problem. If Audible eliminates the option to download from the web page directly, then there's a huge problem.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm getting more confused, and I think some of it is semantics--I'm not sure we're talking about the same things.

When I click the download button at the Audible web page, it opens a little window that is labeled Audible Downloads. The audiobook starts to download, showing a status bar.

That's the Download Manager.

There's no time in the process when I actually use Audible Manager, nor do I do anything with Windows Media Player.

Even if you don't use WMP, watch what the download manager is actually saying. After the d/l finishes it writes the digital usage rights to your PC. On my PC it says "adding file to Windows Media Player." Even if it doesn't say that it is copying the rights to your PC. This is why if you get a new PC and copy all of the .aax files to your new PC, even after logging into your account with Audible Manager, these files will be useless. You have to re-do the download from Audible for them to work.

If Audible eliminates the option to download from the web page directly, then there's a huge problem.

That's exactly what they are doing. RIP Audible.

[bartveld]

Now that I've been able to sign in on AudibleSync I've done a little test.
I downloaded a book I'd purchased ages ago and which no longer resides on my PC. Mind you, I downloaded through the AudibleSync app. Next to every book listed there's a download button.
I found the AAX-file here: Users/[name]/AppData/Roaming/AudibleSync/downloads.
When double-clicking the file the old Audible Manager (!) opens and tells me it has to be added to the library (or something like that). Press OK and the file starts playing.
Just to be sure I also converted the file to MP3 with AaxToMp3 and that too works.

So it still seems to work as of old. You can download the aax and you can convert it. However, I can only try formerly purchased books as I have no membership at the moment. Not sure if this is different for new purchases, though that seems unlikely.

[Paperbackstash]

I'm thinking this is likely because of their new streaming service. Downloading books purchased with membership credits is one thing, but perhaps they're worried on downloading and keeping unlimited streaming books. I run into this with Scribd - the titles download to the account to use, but not somewhere to be converted outside the app/website. That isn't an issue for me with Scribd and audio since I use phones and my Echo Show to listen, but it is an annoyance with e-books since I have to only use my Fire to read rented Scribd books, and I hate reading on my fire.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I'm thinking this is likely because of their new streaming service. Downloading books purchased with membership credits is one thing, but perhaps they're worried on downloading and keeping unlimited streaming books. I run into this with Scribd - the titles download to the account to use, but not somewhere to be converted outside the app/website. That isn't an issue for me with Scribd and audio since I use phones and my Echo Show to listen, but it is an annoyance with e-books since I have to only use my Fire to read rented Scribd books, and I hate reading on my fire.

Audible never (though I realize that is a short history) allowed downloading KU, Prime w/ audio, or Plus titles to a PC. These would only go to a portable device. (At least, that's been my experience.)

Sounds like others are seeing hope. We'll see what happens when Audible shuts the barn door.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

That's the Download Manager.

OK, but the Audible e-mail talks about Audible Manager, not the Download Manager:

Our records indicate that in the past, you may have used the Audible Manager software to listen to your titles. In the upcoming weeks, the option to download titles to and listen via this software, will go away.

And the e-mail specifically is being sent because the recipient has used Audible Manager to LISTEN. It's not saying to every member that you can only DOWNLOAD with the new software.

Additionally, it defies sense that Audible would completely prevent everyone who uses an OS prior to Windows 10 from downloading.

Even if you don't use WMP, watch what the download manager is actually saying. After the d/l finishes it writes the digital usage rights to your PC. On my PC it says "adding file to Windows Media Player." Even if it doesn't say that it is copying the rights to your PC. This is why if you get a new PC and copy all of the .aax files to your new PC, even after logging into your account with Audible Manager, these files will be useless. You have to re-do the download from Audible for them to work.

On my PC, the Download Manger says it's adding the book to the Audible Manager. And as I mentioned earlier, sometimes it fails to do that and tells me to add the book myself, or I cancel it because it's taking forever, and I still have no issue with aaxtomp3 converting the file.

Since I delete the aax files after conversion, I haven't ever tried to move them to a different computer.

The few times I've downloaded an Audible book to my phone, I've been able to move it over to my PC to convert--Audible Manager does not get involved in that process. So even if Audible is screwing up direct PC downloads, presumably I'd still be able to do that. I hope.

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Audible never (though I realize that is a short history) allowed downloading KU, Prime w/ audio, or Plus titles to a PC. These would only go to a portable device. (At least, that's been my experience.)

Sounds like others are seeing hope. We'll see what happens when Audible shuts the barn door.

I know this - but their streaming feature of audiobooks is a newer feature. KU with Amazon is different - but you can download rented KU as well from the Amazon page if you want to send to computer or another device.

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Additionally, it defies sense that Audible would completely prevent everyone who uses an OS prior to Windows 10 from downloading.
.

I agree that doesnt' make sense. Perhaps those on older OS will be able to still use a version of the Audible download manager.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I agree that doesnt' make sense. Perhaps those on older OS will be able to still use a version of the Audible download manager.

I guess it's just the pessimist in me that makes me think Audible is trying to further lock their stuff down by eliminating PC downloads. That is the only reason I can see for them to announce they were shutting down Audible Manager. At this point I think I'll just have to sit back and wait for this to happen and see what the future looks like. In the meantime I'll make my preparations as best as I can.

Is it just me or does it seem like DRM is making a comeback on audiobooks? Kobo locked down, Serial Box locked down, Sync locked down, Random House locked their promos to the Volumes app, Tantor shut down, Graphic Audio now charges extra for mp3 files, and new sites like Chirp are DRM. I think audiobooks.com, libro.fm, eStories, and Downpour are the only remaining players in DRM-free that I can think of. If the state of Downpour's web site is any indication they may not last that much longer.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

I guess it's just the pessimist in me that makes me think Audible is trying to further lock their stuff down by eliminating PC downloads. That is the only reason I can see for them to announce they were shutting down Audible Manager. At this point I think I'll just have to sit back and wait for this to happen and see what the future looks like. In the meantime I'll make my preparations as best as I can.

Is it just me or does it seem like DRM is making a comeback on audiobooks? Kobo locked down, Serial Box locked down, Sync locked down, Random House locked their promos to the Volumes app, Tantor shut down, Graphic Audio now charges extra for mp3 files, and new sites like Chirp are DRM. I think audiobooks.com, libro.fm, eStories, and Downpour are the only remaining players in DRM-free that I can think of. If the state of Downpour's web site is any indication they may not last that much longer.

Overdrive serves up MP3 audiobooks.

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Is it just me or does it seem like DRM is making a comeback on audiobooks? Kobo locked down, Serial Box locked down, Sync locked down, Random House locked their promos to the Volumes app, Tantor shut down, Graphic Audio now charges extra for mp3 files, and new sites like Chirp are DRM. I think audiobooks.com, libro.fm, eStories, and Downpour are the only remaining players in DRM-free that I can think of. If the state of Downpour's web site is any indication they may not last that much longer.

It's likely not your imagination since Audiobooks have taken off so much in the past 2 years and more will be eyeing the profit margins on them.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

... I think audiobooks.com, libro.fm, eStories, and Downpour are the only remaining players in DRM-free that I can think of. If the state of Downpour's web site is any indication they may not last that much longer.

GooglePlay!!

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by odamizu

GooglePlay!!

True, though they are half in, half out. Publishers decide who gets DRM and who doesn't.

[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.

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.

Can their master plan truly be to drive away customers? Fewer but better?