So much for a quiet read – sound-tracked eBooks have arrived on the market. Publishers are releasing versions of classics with orchestral scores and sound effects, such as crunching gravel.

 

The technology claims to add movie-quality sound to books and has been launched in the United States by Booktrack, co-founded by Facebook’s Peter Thiel.

 

The first available – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – is sound-tracked with rain, thunder and screams.

 

“Booktrack represents a new chapter in the evolution of storytelling, and an industry first in publishing, by creating synchronised soundtracks for eBooks that dramatically boost the reader’s imagination and engagement,” the website states.

 

“The company’s proprietary technology combines music, sound effects and ambient sound, automatically paced to an individual’s reading speed.”

 

“Booktrack is already well on its way to creating a new genre of entertainment.”

 

Booktrack is currently compatible with the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone. It will also work with Android and on a Mac or PC.

 

As eBooks become increasingly popular and more interactive, what other ideas might resonate with consumers?