Audiobooks Now Audio Books 12+

Need Internet access to work

I got this because I only occasionally need to get an audio book. I didn't want a subscription model. I just downloaded a book at home before leaving for a trip through eastern Oregon and Nevada, where there is scant cell coverage, so no Internet. If I stopped the app for any reason, I needed to have Internet access to get to the library where the info for the book was stored. As a result, I went without my downloaded book for periods of time. The book itself played fine once the library was accessed...no need for Internet. Not particularly useful in a world where Internet coverage isn't universal.

Update: see developer response below. The app is fine... will try it again on another trip. If it works without Internet, it's exactly what I wanted!

Developer Response ,

Hi Bob, you can always access your library without any data connection. You might see a message that says "The Internet connection appears to be offline" but you can just OK that message and go to your library. As long as you have downloaded the audiobook before going offline which you said you did, it will play your audiobooks just fine without Internet.

Poor App

It almost seems as if this app is still in beta, because it really does not perform the way you would expect. To be specific, I have had problems that I've never had with any other app that I use to play audiobooks. The worst problem here is that if I pause the recording and put my phone to sleep, I pick up the phone later only to find that it has continued to play. At this point, I have to figure out where I was before and go back and start there. Not only is this a nuisance, but it wastes battery power, and we know that phone batteries don't last as long as they used to. Another problem I have is that, when I'm listening to the book in the car, the volume does not go up nearly as much as it does when I use other platforms. Finally, the format is not at all user friendly. It barely recognizes a best-selling book that should be displayed on the screen in my car. I can't imagine in what world it would be more useful to know what track I am on, rather than what chapter, but tracks are what you get. Also the format does not let you know how much time you have left in the book. I'll give them this - it lets you play an audiobook. But that's about it.

Developer Response ,

Sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with our app, I assure you, what you are experiencing is not normal. Please install the latest version of our app and email our support team at support@audiobooksnow.com if it is still not working as expected.

Best nonsubscription audiobook app

I have three audiobook apps on my phone. I try to consume at least 35 books a year. One would think that the easiest route for me to do this with is a subscription-based app. However, I have found that I keep coming back to Audiobooks Now, due to the ability to search any title, and grab any book one off and then own it forever. Their library is amazing, and there ability to offer non-subscription listening is the reason I keep coming back. I will note that the app can be a little bit finicky with my iPhone every once in a while. It’s not quite as smooth as audible or audiobooks from Apple. however, it is well worth having to hit play three or four times when interrupted by text messages and phone calls, etc. interface a simple and easy to use. And I have downloaded a couple of books while in flights before which is an extremely handy feature. I would recommend to anybody.