Findaway World, an innovative manufacturer of digital audio formats, had exciting news at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas yesterday. The show is a huge annual electronics industry event, but then, they had huge news.

Their gadget, the Playaway, is a portable device preloaded with an entire audiobook. It offers consumers the opportunity to buy their novels without the hassle of ripping, burning or downloading the material! After a year of trials, Findaway World has decided to expand its collection of best selling titles and classics, releasing them nationwide in America. They will also be adding around 50 new titles every month to their catalogue, having partnered with publishers including Harper Collins and Random House.

The Playaway itself is only half the size of a deck of cards, and weighs just two ounces. Using just a few controls, all listeners have to do is press ‘play’ to listen to their book, scrolling back and forth between chapters as they need. It even has an automatic bookmark that remembers where you pressed ‘stop’! Each player comes with ear buds, a lanyard and three ‘AAA’ batteries – so you’re ready to play away immediately!

The Playaway Digital Audiobook claims to be the first of its kind to come preloaded with content. Old Blighty’s own brand, Bush tried with MP3 Players preloaded with children’s stories (www.idrops.co.uk) back in 2005. I think they were just ahead of their time.

More info on: www.playawaydigital.com