# PlayAway Audio Books By Angela Lowe | Published 2006-08-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playaway-audio-books References: [gushmagazine](http://www.gushmagazine.com/article/playaway-audio-books/) & [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/playaway-books-the-preloaded-digital-audio-book-196240.php) PlayAway Books are like little [iPods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipod-classic-iphone-17-case) that contain books such as John Grisham's "The Broker" and Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code". They come with [ear buds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airpack-backpack) and a lanyard to wear around your neck so people can still see what you're reading or in this case listening to. I'm still a fan of regular books, but these would be good for traveling. **Implications** - Consumers are constantly looking for methods of entertainment which are easy to transport. [E-readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipaper-reader) and products like this PlayAway Audio Book are popular for their compact and light qualities, which allow them to be transported easily. The tech industry will continue to see a surge of miniature modes of entertainment which busy consumers can easily carry and use. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Portable Entertainment Devices:** The rise of compact and lightweight entertainment devices like PlayAway Audio Books presents disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the tech industry to create more advanced and versatile portable entertainment devices. - **Multifunctional Wearable Technology:** The integration of wearable technology, as demonstrated by the lanyard-wearable PlayAway Audio Books, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the fashion and tech industries to create multifunctional wearable devices that combine style and functionality. - **Digital Reading Revolution:** The growing popularity of devices like PlayAway Audio Books and e-readers indicates a disruptive innovation opportunity for the publishing industry to embrace digital reading and develop new business models that cater to tech-savvy readers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Tech Industry:** The tech industry can capitalize on the demand for compact entertainment devices by developing more advanced portable devices, tapping into the disruptive innovation opportunities presented by the rise of products like PlayAway Audio Books. - **Fashion Industry:** The integration of wearable technology in products like PlayAway Audio Books creates disruptive innovation opportunities for the fashion industry to design and produce fashionable wearable devices that serve multiple purposes. - **Publishing Industry:** The rise of digital reading devices like PlayAway Audio Books signals a disruptive innovation opportunity for the publishing industry to adapt to changing consumer preferences by embracing digital reading formats and developing new publishing business models. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Voice-Activated Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/readyland.md) - [Music-Inspired Audiobook Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/read-like-you-listen.md) - [Portable Audio Readings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/runread.md) - [Childhood Bedtime Story Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audiobook-player.md) - [Audio Adventure Backpacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tonies-backpack.md) - [Multifunctional Compact Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playdisc.md) - [Music-Playing Book Stands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-book-stand.md) - [Watch-Compatible Audiobook Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audible-1.md) - [AI-Narrated Audiobook Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-3.md)