OverDrive's Audiobook Software Upgrade To Expand iPod Compatibility
Windows PC users able to transfer WMA audio files to Apple devices
Raya Kuzyk -- Library Journal, 05/27/2009
- Most of OverDrive’s 21,000 WMA files to become iPod-friendly
- Previously, only MP3 files transferable to Apple devices
- Software modification keeps WMA files copyright protected.
With digital media distributor OverDrive’s forthcoming (mid-June) upgrade to its Media Console, Windows PC users will be able to transfer Windows Media Audio (WMA) files from OverDrive-powered libraries to their iPods, iPhones, and other portable devices. Previously, only MP3 audio files have been compatible with Apple devices.
In June 2008, OverDrive began offering 3000 titles, or 15 percent of its e-audiobook catalog at the time, to partner libraries as digital rights management (DRM)–free MP3 files, enabling Windows PC users to download MP3 files, then transfer them to Apple devices.
In November 2008, OverDrive released its Media Console for the Mac, allowing Mac users to download the digital distributor’s 5500 MP3 files, or 25 percent of its e-audiobook catalog at the time. (OverDrive's e-audiobook catalog currently contains 33,000 titles—some 21,000 of them WMA files and 12,000 of them MP3 files.)
This software upgrade, which does not remove digital rights management (DRM) protections, will make what OverDrive will only call "the vast majority" of the approximately 21,000 WMA audiobook titles in its e-audiobook catalog iPod/iPhone-friendly. Participating publishers at this time include Random House Audio, Hachette Audio, Penguin Audio, BBC Audiobooks America, Brilliance Audio, and Tantor Media.
Windows PC users can obtain the upgraded free software on its release through overdrive.com/software/omc.
