Realizing that books are in rare cases better heard than seen, Amazon.com
It will also likely bring Amazon one step closer to partner Audible
"Audible.com is our trusted partner for audio download programs and players, and we hope that you'll find their site as informative, fun, and easy to shop at as you find ours," reads Amazon's page pitching its audio downloads.
Amazon has eight "trusted partners" like Fidelity Investments and Shutterfly
Digital delivery is different. Between last year's launch of Amazon Unbox and the upcoming MP3 music store, it's really just a matter of time before Amazon starts selling digital audiobooks in a much bolder way than its low-key CustomFlix on-demand service does.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Amazon will simply feed Audible top-shelf content and keep this symbiotic relationship going. However, now that Amazon is beefing up its audiobook catalog, the next step is to either compete with Audible or to buy it out.
That has to be the next chapter. Either that, or I'm just listening to all the wrong audiobooks.
For related Foolishness:
- Amazon's Got It Going On
- Fool Video: Is Amazon the Next Apple?
- Before the Call: Amazon.com Flows
- Audible Sounds Great
Amazon.com is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor selection. Want the next chapter for free? Go for a free 30-day trial subscription.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has always felt that it's a matter of time before Amazon takes on Audible. He does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early. The Fool has a disclosure policy.