Booktrack

History

The company was founded in 2011 in Auckland by brothers Mark Cameron and Paul Cameron. Mark Cameron came up with the idea of creating a service that matched soundtracks with books to provide an immersive reading environment. He and his brother spent three years building the technology before launching the site in August 2011. It provides soundtracks with synchronized music, sound effects and ambient sound for written books. The platform uses an algorithm to track users' reading speed and synchronize it with the soundtrack.

The company raised funding from investors including Peter Thiel.

Booktracks are available for download through the Booktrack Bookshelf app in the Apple App Store, Google Play and on a PC using a web browser.

In September 2019, Booktrack introduced Booktrack Studio allowing users to create and publish synchronized soundtracks for books.

Notes

References

1. Sung, Pauline. (2011-08-26). "Haute 100 Update: PayPal Founder Peter Thiel Joins other Internet Heavyweights as Investor for Innovative Booktrack e-Book Company".
2. (October 8, 2011). "New company aims to enhance the act of reading". [[Radio New Zealand]].
3. Morais, Betsy. "Books With Soundtracks: The Future of Reading?". The Atlantic.
4. Mace, William. (August 26, 2013). "Kiwis launch 'world-first' eBook app". NZ Stuff.
5. Wauters, Robin. "Fad Or Future? Booktrack Adds Music, Sound Effects To E-Books; Peter Thiel Invests". [[TechCrunch]].
6. Losowsky, Andrew. (September 1, 2011). "Booktrack Adds A Soundtrack To The Books You Read". The Huffington Post.
7. Carr, Paul. (September 4, 2011). "Booktrack: Just A Horrible Idea. Really Horrible". [[TechCrunch]].
8. "Kiwi software puts the interactive into e-books".
9. "Booktrack". Booktrack.com.
10. Lawler, Ryan. (September 5, 2013). "Booktrack Gives Everyone The Tools To Add Soundtracks To Their Stories With Booktrack Studio". [[TechCrunch]].
11. Popescu, Adam. (September 11, 2013). "Booktrack Adds Customized Playlists to E-Books". Mashable.