Baker & Taylor this week announced a partnership with Findaway World (creators of Playaway) to launch Acoustik—a new mobile platform to enable consumers to buy and download digital audiobooks on their mobile devices. Acoustik, a free app that works on both Apple and Android systems, is currently live and available from selected retailers, and will soon be coming to libraries. Officials say the deal will offer consumers access to “nearly 40,000 titles from a wide range of publishers,” and an simple, “intuitive way of downloading and listening” to audiobooks.

David Cully, president of Baker & Taylor Retail Markets, said the release of Acoustik gives consumers and retailers and publishers more choice in the delivery of audio content. “Digital audio is growing rapidly,” Cully said, adding that the addition of Acoustik, along with the strong partnerships Baker & Taylor has in place, “wiill allow more great content to be available at the fingertips of consumers."

While a launch date for libraries was not announced, officials said the plan is to launch Acoustik as part of B&T's Axis 360 digital media platform for libraries and their patrons in the coming weeks.