News
Amazon to acquire Audible.com for $300 million
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008
News Category: Digital Media
Amazon.com has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Audible Inc. for approximately $300 million. Audible.com is the leading online provider of digital spoken word content, and is the preeminent provider of audiobooks for the iTunes Store. “Audible.com offers the best customer experience, the widest content selection and the broadest device compatibility in the industry,” said Steve Kessel, Amazon.com’s senior vice president for worldwide digital media. “Working together, we can introduce more innovations and bring this format to an even wider audience.” “This deal brings together two pioneering companies that share a long history of ceaseless focus on improving the customer experience,” said Donald Katz, founder and chief executive of Audible.com. “We are very excited to be joining a company as innovative as Amazon.com.” Under terms of the agreement, Amazon will make a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Audible.com for $11.50 per share.
Share This Article & Win an iTunes Gift Card. Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apple launches Reserve and Pick Up retail service
- Apple patent points to simplified data sharing
- iPodweek coming shortly, still time to register
- Apple rolling out updated iTunes LP/Extras files
- Apple seeking new iPhone security manager
- Vers launches open-front Shellcases for iPod, iPhone
- iPhone developer accused of stealing phone numbers
- Quirky intros Beamer case for iPhone 3G, 3GS
- Apple’s Jobs named ‘CEO of the decade’
- Intel responds on iPhone sync issues
Recent Reviews
- Elexa Consumer Products iBlink
- Bose SoundDock 10
- Shure SE115m+ Sound Isolating Headset
- Apple Remote (2009)
- Kensington Travel Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone
- Tapulous Metallica Revenge
- Electronic Arts NBA Live by EA Sports
- Edifier iF500 Luna5 Encore
- Griffin iTrip for iPod + iPhone With iTrip Controller App
- XtremeMac Luna Voyager
Recent Articles
- iPhone Gems: Asphalt 5 and Doom Classic
- Ask iLounge 10-30-09
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of Apple TV 3.0
- Ask iLounge 10-23-09
- iPhone Gems: Copy Cat, Derek Jeter Baseball, I Am T-Pain, MotionX GPS Drive, Pang + Real Racing GTI
- iPhone Gems: 2XL ATV Offroad, Adrenaline Golf Online + Iron Fist Boxing 3rd Strike
- iPhone Gems: BombLink, Rock Band + Tap Tap Revenge 3
- Ask iLounge 10-16-09
- iPhone Gems: Global Eater, NPR News, Pocket Tunes Radio, scanR + vTuner Radio
- iPhone Gems: Itsy Bitsy Spider and Little Red Hen Childrens’ Books
1
We’re doomed.
Posted by Don Trammell on January 31, 2008 at 7:28 AM (PDT)
2
For those of us who have owned and profited from Audible stock, this is far from unexpected. As a matter of fact, this is actually overdue.
As long as I can continue to transfer my Audible purchases to my iPod the buyout should not matter to me on the consumer level.
Posted by Obadiah on January 31, 2008 at 8:37 AM (PDT)
3
One more point. This buyout coupled with the whole DRM-free music and other moves sure makes it seem like Amazon has really got iTunes in their crosshairs now.
Posted by Obadiah on January 31, 2008 at 9:39 AM (PDT)