Reado launches digital store for audiobooks; next up are smartphone apps

New Delhi-based audiobooks brand Reado has launched its e-commerce website Reado.com which will act as a digital platform for its home productions and publications owned by them.

Launched in September 2010, Reado is a part of Eagle Home Entertainment and claims to be India's first audiobooks brand. Its audiobooks, in the form of MP3 CDs, are available at all major offline and online stores including Flipkart, Crossword, Landmark, Reliance Time Out, Om Book Shop, Media Mart and WHSmith. Users of Reado.com will be able to browse through their e-Bookstand, pay and download the audiobook in MP3 format and play it on any device which supports the format. Reado retails its audio books from over 200 stores across India, including online retailing through Flipkart.com and offline through leading books stores like Crossword, Landmark, Reliance Time Out, Om Book Shop, Media Mart and WHSmith.

On this digital platform, users can sign up and purchase downloadable books without any subscription fee. "We are aiming to bring 10,000 titles on Reado.com within two months," said Sumit Suneja, founder and CEO, Reado Audiobooks. On the challenges of such a new market opportunity, Suneja said, "Contrary to what everyone feels, we really aren't facing any challenge apart from awareness issues amongst the users."

Reado.com claims to have around 5,500 signups in just 15-20 days of launch and it is aiming up to a lakh in the next six months. Suneja also told techcircle that apps for various platforms like iOS, Blackberry and Android would be coming soon from Reado. Apparently, it already has a tie-up with Samsung, wherein the app is available at the Samsung Apps Store.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)