Kindle 2 Reads Books Aloud, Perturbs Authors Guild
The newest generation of the Kindle, Amazon's digital reading device, can now read text aloud, and authors are not happy about it, USA Today reports.
While the original Kindle was able to display the texts of whatever book a user downloaded, the Kindle 2 is additionally capable of reading those downloaded books to the user, albeit it in a robotic monotone. This capability, and the potential to use more listenable reading voices, worries the Authors Guild. In a message sent to Guild members yesterday, a spokesperson identified the Kindle 2 as being a significant threat to the sale of audio books. The Guild requested members think about asking Amazon.com to remove the reading feature from the device.
While Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener has stated that the company is well within their rights to use the "Read to Me" feature, debate is swirling. Discussing the legal ramifications of the feature (with himself), Engadget's Nilay Patel identified the crux of the debate as the question of whether or not a book and an audio recording of that book are two distinct products. "What the Authors Guild seems to be saying," Patel explains, "is that while Amazon has the rights to sell the book, it doesn't have the rights to sell you the recording."
We're just glad that we've been hipped to a little-known way of getting books -- physical and audio both -- for free. [From: USA Today via Engadget]
Authors Who Love Tech
1. Stephen King 'Kindles' the Flames of Writing Tech
This week, Stephen King -- along with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos -- unveiled the Kindle 2 e-book device by reading his Amazon-exclusive story 'Ur,' which features -- believe it or not -- a possessed Kindle. We are undecided as to which is more boring: the Kindle 2's built-in "Read to Me" robotic voice, or King's New England monotone.
2. Michael Crichton Brings Pop Lit to Gaming
Back in 2000, recently deceased, best-selling sci-fi author Michael Crichton helped to design the 'Timeline' PC game. Based on his novel of the same name, the game features a modern-day archaeologist who travels through time to feudal France.
3. Clive Barker Pens Video Game Novels
British horror novelist Clive Barker has proven to be a sort of morbid renaissance man over the years, dabbling in creepy films, creepy art and -- notably -- creepy video games. His 'Clive Barker's Undying' and 'Clive Barker's Jericho' were released for PC and Mac in 2001 and for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2007, respectively.
4. Writer Malcolm Gladwell Twitters (Thankfully, Not Novels)
Canadian writer and sociologist Malcolm Gladwell has been characteristically plugged-in over the course of his career, not surprising as he worked the Washington Post's science beat for just shy of a decade. Extremely accessible, Gladwell consistently maintains a blog and Twitter page.
5. Log on to Help Thomas Friedman Finish His Book
Author, journalist and political columnist Thomas Friedman has garnered plenty of attention for his writing and commentary, most notably in the form of three Pulitzer prizes. Recently, Friedman has enlisted online help for the completion of his latest work 'Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America' by asking folks to leave thoughts and suggestions on his blog.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Addie said 2:35PM on 2-13-2009
My 93 year old aunt is blind! This device would be SO wonderful for her. She loved to read and now she has to search for books that come in audio and they are not always available.
This would end her search as she would be able to have books, newspapers, etc right at her fingertips.
Think about the people for once and NOT the pocket book!
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K-Mom said 4:23PM on 2-13-2009
~I agree. I have two sons who are visually impaired and listen to audio books. But, if it is not available on audio this kindle would be great. Plus, people who can't read well (sadly a large number) could also use this function and so read books they otherwise wouldn't. That would help the author's bottom lines. People need to consider all the implications before getting their briefs in a wad. :)
Gwen said 2:46PM on 2-13-2009
The potential revenue for authors is huge. The Amazon/digital download of book for sale will overtake the hardcover world in a short amount of time. The revenue to the authors will more than cover the amout made from the current sale of audio books. The Authors Guild is being very short sighted in the argument they are making about the Kindle 2 ability to read aloud.
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Jim said 2:55PM on 2-13-2009
I guess the Author's Guild is a little ignorant of Microsoft Reader, eh? There has been a text-to-speach application for it for YEARS for PC's. Besides, someone needs to set them all down and force them to actually LISTEN to the robotic sounding software and then compare it to a human reading. The text-to-speach is almost comical in it's pronunciation of some words and sentences. Another boondoggle perpetrated by ignorant "artists" that probably only know how to press the on button on their old VCR's and can't even set the time on them....still flashing 12:00:00!!! LOL!
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Sharz said 3:33PM on 2-13-2009
When Kindle became available, I couldn't wait to buy it as I have a disability with right arm and hand and have difficulty holding large books. I am not rich and gave up other needed things to purchase the new Kindle. Now, not six months later, Kindle comes out with a more desirable tablet with the buttons in easier plaes as well as other new features. I think Kindle/Amazon should at least give us a credit of a book or two to those of us who paid the same for our version and don't have the benefits. Come on Amazon, make us feel like we haven't been "taken" by you in this economy and show us that you are at least sorry that you didn't tell us to wait for the newer version. I am a forgiving person and will be waiting for my complimentary book from you.
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Teresa said 3:05PM on 2-13-2009
Why not have a kindle that speaks?? I for one do not own a cassette player..."are they still around?". I love to read and right now I have two small children so time for reading is very very limited. Having a kindle reader would be fantastic for myself.
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jbt said 4:18PM on 2-13-2009
This Kindle thing has me gravely concerned. Has anyone considered the impact on the bookshelf manufacturing industry? All the folks who make the sawdust that's turned into particle board shelves for Sauder, IKEA and etc will all be put out of work. Where's the stimulus for THEM, eh???
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drktranquillity said 8:36PM on 2-13-2009
It's not an audio recording, simple. As far as it impacting audio book sales, I wouldn't really worry about that, either. I mean, its not as if its much more than a niche market as it is and what about all the books out there which do not have audio adaptations (the VAST majority)? Personally I think having some monotone droning along would be only slightly less annoying than reading a book on a digital screen in the first place but some people could undoubtedly find it useful. Don't hamstring a good idea.
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dgale said 9:07AM on 2-14-2009
I love this enlightening statement:
"Guttenberg got hold of some technology, and some texts, and started a revolution. These days, more and more, it seems that the Internet may be doing to the printing press what the printing press once did to calligraphy."
You bet the calligraphers were upset. It's simple evolution! But that's what keeps us in the game and moving forward.
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Diambi said 9:41PM on 3-09-2009
Well, what the authors guild needs to know is that they are millions of people with reading disabilities or vision proplems and having the text-to-speech option on the kindle 2 is just the biggining of a new era for people like me. It is just not the same, to listen to an audioBook or to actually see the text and hear the text. To do that, we usually had to use a laptop, that is just not so light and portable. Finally we can access a multitude of books and and newspapers and much more on the go! I hope that more options for the read-to-text (more voices, additional languages, voice commands, etc) will be added on the kindle 3. Incorporating assistive technology is only a PLUS.
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