The  Audible audio book application for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.4.2 with the following changes:

• All screens have been optimized for faster loading.
• No more waiting to get back to your audio. You are immediately taken to the player screen upon loading the application, if your last action within the app was listening to audio.
• Performance of user-interface elements has been improved. (scrolling through lists, audio playback buttons, etc.)
• My Library is now stored directly on your device for faster loading of your purchased titles.
• Support for the Curve 8900
• Audio playback bug while Audible for BlackBerry is minimized has been fixed
• Improved support for BlackBerry Enterprise Servers
• Landscape typing for the BlackBerry Storm now supported

Recap on Audible’s features:

• Includes a FREE download of Thomas Friedman’s best-seller Hot, Flat, and Crowded.
• Sample, purchase, stream, and download over 60,000 titles directly to your handset.
• Explore the Free channel, featuring premium content hand-picked by Audible editors.
• All purchases are processed through Audible’s secure servers.

Audible is available for the BlackBerry Pearl series, Curve series, 8800 series, Curve 8900, Bold,and Storm and can be downloaded OTA by visiting audible.com/bb from your BlackBerry Browser.

via GearDiary

The free Shortcovers eBook application for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.3.500.

Shortcovers is an application that allows you to discover thousands of bestselling books, chapters, news and magazine articles, short stories, blog posts and more. I’m not sure what was updated in this version but here are the current features:

• Instant access to the newest books, hottest authors and most popular blogs
• Use the web or your Blackberry mobile device, anytime and anyplace
• Sample for Free, then opt to purchase a chapter or full eBooks
• Share your favorite reads with friends, family or create & write your own “shortcover”

Shortcovers is currently available for the BlackBerry Curve, Bold, Storm and 8000 series except for Pearl, Pearl Flip and 8700 which will have versions shortly.

• Download/Info: Shortcovers
• How To:
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data
  • Install Applications and Themes via Desktop Manager

Audible announced yesterday that their BlackBerry application is now available for download!

The complete Audible experience for BlackBerry® smartphones is here. Now you can shop, sample, download, and playback audio from Audible’s catalog of over 60,000 titles, right on your BlackBerry. Whether you’re new to Audible or an existing member, this free application allows for seamless integration between your BlackBerry Storm™, Bold™, Curve™, Pearl™, or 8800 and the Audible.com website. Believe it or not, your BlackBerry doesn’t have to be all business.

For a limited time, anyone who downloads Audible for BlackBerry will receive a free copy of the “Hot, Flat, and Crowded” audiobook, a best seller by author Thomas Friedman.

You can download it directly to your BlackBerry by going to Audible.com/bb from your BlackBerry Browser or visit Audible.com for more info.

Just read over at BerryReview that S4BB has started a beta site for downloading eBooks right to your BlackBerry! You can download on the desktop too, but OTA is easier than desktop installation I believe. According to BerryReview, they won’t have any recent books because they are mostly classics.

In order to read these books you can download MobiPocket Reader for your BlackBerry by pointing your BlackBerry Browser to m.mobipocket.com. It’s free! For more info visit MobiPocket.com.

Once you have MobiPocket Read on your BlackBerry, point your BlackBerry Browser to BlackBerryBooks.com and start browsing for books. Enjoy!

(via BerryReview)