More DRM-free media: https://www.defectivebydesign.org/guide.

This looks like a very cool service, but there are a few problems with DRM music I've been unable to solve, I would love to hear suggestions if anyone has this figured out. But for now I haven't used anything better than audible.

1. Syncing audio between devices. (i.e. switch from listening on my phone to computer, etc)

2. Automatically back up the files, so when I switch devices the books are still there

3. A good app that that at minimum has the ability to listen to the audiobooks at double speed, but it would be nice if it could load the album art for free, and book description.

4. Also, it's really nice to say "Alexa, ready my audiobook", and it continues from where it left off.

What a coincidence to see this here! I decided just this week to try to get back into listening to audiobooks, and this morning I was sitting here having my usual angst about the Amazon ecosystem and looking at the options. I can’t help wondering if this is one of those things where I think about an old song I haven’t heard in years and suddenly they’re playing everywhere, making me feel I somehow manifested it, but the truth is that the reason I thought of it in the first place is that they had started playing it everywhere because of a wave of zeitgeist. In this case, I can’t help wondering if something about lockdown or current-events burnout is causing folks to want to switch from podcasts to longer form media less filled with hot takes, which is sort of where I’m at.

Another interesting thing on this topic is that Audible now allows signing up within the iOS app, which I don’t believe was possible before. Im not sure if the reason for that has been reported anywhere, but I assume that means one of a couple of things: They have struck a deal to reduce Apple’s cut (seems unlikely), they’re taking a loss to try to solidify their domination of the market, or maybe some combination of taking a loss plus their new business model which involves a lot of cheap “Amazon Originals” content. There seems to be a rush right now between Spotify and Amazon to become the next Netflix of podcasting (which is to say, a closed, subscription-based ecosystem of exclusive content). I don’t think that’s going to be a great situation, but I don’t get the sense they’re super interested in my opinion on that.

I've used this service for a few years and really appreciate it. Mostly I use their app, which works perfectly fine, but it's nice to be able to download the DRM-free files so I know I'm not locked in.

Related: LibriVox offers free public domain audiobooks. Obviously, for the audiobook to be public domain the book has to be public domain.

https://librivox.org

Libro.fm also sells DRM free audiobooks, has a nice app, and will work with indie bookstores to be their audiobook provider as well as turn over a percentage of sales..

When you use text to speech everything is a free audiobook. Unless, of course, the book itself is in a locked down DRM format where you can't access the text.

Ysk Google play audiobooks can be downloaded without DRM. audible books are protected but are very easy download and convert to mp3

Especially for US people don't forget overdrive! It's through your public library and often has a great selection

Are there other apps to use DRM-free audiobooks on, which include the ability to bookmark?

Friendly reminder that Audible DRM is easily crackable if you're willing to do a bit of googling.

That's great, thanks for the reference!

Cannot comment on the audiobook contents as I am hardly put off by the website. It doesn't work on my phone as it is loading tons of stuff and on my PC it loads but is very slow, doesn't cache anything. Thats a pitty as I really like having DRM free audiobooks. Will therefore look into the other site metioned already.

Free alternative. http://audiobookbay.nl/audio-books/type/computer/