Spotify users are facing yet another price hike, but book lovers can look forward to some exciting developments that may help soften the blow.
Spotify on Thursday announced some updates about its audiobook business, specifically its expansion into physical books. Users in the US and UK will soon be able to purchase physical copies of their favorite audiobooks directly through the app, marking a significant shift for the once digital-only platform.
The company also introduced two features designed to make the audiobook experience smoother and more flexible. This includes a new tool called “Page Match,” which allows users to scan a page in a physical book and instantly navigate to that location within the audiobook.
Additionally, Audiobook Recaps, previously an iOS-only feature, will be coming to Android devices this spring. This feature provides a quick summary tailored to the section you last stopped listening to.
Spotify’s decision to sell physical books through its app puts it in competition with major bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The company also recognizes that many readers still value physical books, and by offering both print and digital formats, Spotify is transforming itself into a one-stop shop for book lovers.
Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org, an online marketplace that supports local independent bookstores, on a new service. This partnership is great news for indie bookstores, as every item purchased through Spotify directly benefits the local book community. Spotify earns affiliate fees on sales.
The ability to purchase physical books will roll out this spring and will appear as a button on the app’s audiobook page called “Add to Home Shelf.” Clicking this will take you to the Bookshop website, where pricing, inventory, and shipping are handled.
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To bridge the gap between formats, Spotify is also launching a feature called Page Match. This feature is currently available to premium subscribers and will be rolled out to all audiobook users by late February. The feature was first spotted by Android Authority last month.
Spotify’s new Page Match feature allows users to scan the pages of a physical or e-book using their phone’s camera. This tool analyzes the content of the page and directs the user to the exact location within the audiobook. This is made possible through a combination of Spotify’s in-house and third-party computer vision and image scanning technology.
If users want to switch to an audiobook, they can select the Scan and Listen button and click the Scan and Read button to return to the physical book, making it easy to pick up where you left off, whether you’re reading at home or switching to audio while on the go.
Page Match is currently available for most English titles and will be expanded in the future. There are currently over 500,000 titles on the platform.
In the two years since Spotify first introduced audiobooks, the platform has seen significant growth. In October, the company reported that the number of users listening to audiobooks has increased by 36% over the past year, and listening time has increased by 37%. Additionally, more than half of Spotify’s 281 million premium members use audiobooks.
Spotify is scheduled to announce its fourth quarter financial results on February 10th.
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