Audible brings local audiobook playback to Apple Watch alongside watchOS 5
Audible's mobile app was updated this week to support watchOS 5, and in the process gained the ability to listen to complete audiobooks without a nearby iPhone.
Books must first be synced through the Audible iPhone app, but playback then shifts fully to the Apple Watch. On top of standard media controls, playback options include speed, a sleep timer, and a chapter list.
Users can also browse all of the titles saved on a Watch, and delete ones that are finished or taking up space.
Support for caching audiobooks and podcasts was one of the most anticipated upgrades in watchOS 5, released on Monday. The Watch has supported music sync for some time, but until this week even Apple's own Podcasts app wouldn't sync episodes from an iPhone. This was a particular problem for fitness enthusiasts, who often listen to podcasts during running and lifting sessions.
The Audible app is a free download, and requires an iPhone with iOS 10 or later. Its accompanying service, however, costs $14.95 per month after a 30-day trial. Note that no active subscription is required to listen to books already acquired via Audible.
Books must first be synced through the Audible iPhone app, but playback then shifts fully to the Apple Watch. On top of standard media controls, playback options include speed, a sleep timer, and a chapter list.
Users can also browse all of the titles saved on a Watch, and delete ones that are finished or taking up space.
Support for caching audiobooks and podcasts was one of the most anticipated upgrades in watchOS 5, released on Monday. The Watch has supported music sync for some time, but until this week even Apple's own Podcasts app wouldn't sync episodes from an iPhone. This was a particular problem for fitness enthusiasts, who often listen to podcasts during running and lifting sessions.
The Audible app is a free download, and requires an iPhone with iOS 10 or later. Its accompanying service, however, costs $14.95 per month after a 30-day trial. Note that no active subscription is required to listen to books already acquired via Audible.
Comments
The newest version of Overcast syncs podcasts while the Watch is not charging although it is slower than if it were charging. That allows automatic syncing to occur and you can keep the Watch on while it is syncing.
I think that's the most ridiculous complaint I've heard about this device today. It's even worse than George saying an EKG is pointless or Avon claiming that the a round watch face would be more usable.
If you really need a small speaker that will play music 3 feet below your ears and facing away from you could always design a BT stereo speaker system that is part of the Watch band or clips onto it. If you think there's a market then go for it.
PS: Connecting to BT devices works great. I walk inside wearing my BT bone-conducting headphones and I say "Alexa, Connect" which will contact my Watch which will then re-route the audio to my Echos.