Spotify starts selling books, adds new audiobooks

When Spotify readers face another price hikebook lovers have some exciting things to look forward to that will help solve this problem.

Spotify he announced several changes to its audiobook business on Thursday, particularly its expansion into physical books. Users in the US and UK will soon be able to purchase digital copies of their favorite audiobooks directly through the app, marking a major shift from the once digital-only platform.

The company also introduced two products designed to make audiobooks easier and more flexible, including a new tool called “Page Match” which allows users to browse a page from a physical book to instantly switch to a location in the audiobook.

Additionally, “Audiobook Recaps”an old iOS-only feature-coming to Android devices this spring. This provides similar feedback to people who have stopped listening.

Spotify’s decision to sell physical books through its app puts it in competition with major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The company also recognizes that many readers still appreciate physical books, and by offering both print and digital formats, Spotify is trying to transform itself into a bookstore that loves books.

Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org for a new offering, an online marketplace that supports independent bookstores. The deal is good news for indie booksellers, as every purchase made through Spotify directly benefits local communities.

The ability to buy physical books will be released this year and will appear on the audiobook pages in the app as a button labeled “Add to your home bookshelf.” The click takes users to the Bookshop website, which manages pricing, inventory, and shipping.

To bridge the gap between formats, Spotify is also introducing a feature called Page Match, which is available to premium subscribers and will be available to all audiobook users at the end of February. This work was first viewed by Android Authority last month.

Spotify’s new Page Match feature allows users to browse a page from a title or e-book using their phone’s camera. This tool analyzes the content of the website and directs users to the exact location of the audiobook. It is powered by a combination of Spotify’s in-house and third-party computer vision and image scanning technologies.

When readers want to exchange audiobooks, they can select the “Record to Listen” button and cut the “Record to Read” button back to the body of the book, making it easier for readers to pick up where they left off, whether they are reading at home or changing the audio on the go.

Page Match is available for many English language topics, with plans to expand in the future. There are currently over 500,000 titles on the platform.

In two years since Spotify first he introduced audiobooksThe tower has grown a lot. The company report in October that the number of audiobook users increased by 36% last year, and listening hours increased by 37%. In addition, more than half of Spotify’s 281 million subscribers subscribed to the audiobook.

Spotify is expected to release its fourth quarter results on February 10.