Spotify is getting into physical book sales, adding new features to audiobooks

While Spotify users face… Another rise in pricesbook fans have some exciting developments to look forward to that could help soften the blow.

Spotify Announce Several updates to the audiobook business on Thursday, especially the expansion into paperback books. Users in the US and UK will soon be able to purchase physical copies of their favorite audiobooks directly through the app, marking an important pivot for the previously digital-only platform.

The company also introduced two features designed to make the audiobook experience smoother and more flexible, including a new tool called “Page matching” which allows users to scan a page from a physical book to instantly jump to that place in the audiobook.

In addition, “Audiobook Summaries” —Previous feature for iOS only– Coming to Android devices in the spring. This feature provides bite-sized summaries tailored to the last section users stopped listening to.

Spotify’s decision to sell physical books through its app positions it as a competitor to major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The company also recognizes that many readers still value physical books, and by offering print and digital formats, Spotify is trying to turn itself into a one-stop-shop for book lovers.

Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org On New Offer, an online marketplace supporting local independent bookstores. This partnership is great news for independent booksellers, as every purchase made through Spotify will directly benefit local book communities.

The ability to purchase physical books will be rolled out this spring and will appear on the app’s audiobook pages as a button titled “Add to your bookshelf at home.” Clicking it takes users to the Bookshop website, which handles pricing, inventory, and shipping.

To bridge the gap between formats, Spotify is also launching a feature called Page Match, which is currently available to Premium subscribers and will be rolled out to all audiobook users by late February. The feature was initially spotted by Robot body last month.

Spotify’s new Page Match feature allows users to scan a page from a physical or e-book using their phone’s camera. The tool analyzes the page content and directs users to the exact place in the audiobook. It’s powered by a combination of Spotify’s internal and external computer vision and image scanning technologies.

When users want to switch to the audiobook, they can select the “Scan to Listen” button and click the “Scan to Read” button to return to the actual book, making it easier for users to pick up where they left off, whether they are reading at home or switching to audio on the go.

Page Match is currently available for most English-language titles, with plans to expand in the future. There are now more than 500,000 titles on the platform.

In the past two years since Spotify debuted Provide audio booksThe platform has seen significant growth. Company I mentioned In October, the number of users listening to audiobooks increased by 36% over the past year, and listening hours increased by 37%. Additionally, more than half of Spotify’s 281 million premium subscribers have an audiobook subscription.

Spotify is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings results on February 10.