What you need to know
- Spotify has announced that its Page Match feature, which syncs audiobooks with physical copies, is expanding language support with 30 new additions.
- The company’s partnership with Bookshop.org is finally coming to the US and UK for Android users, leaving iOS users to wait until “next week”.
- Spotify first launched Page Match and debuted its Bookshop.org partnership in February.
Spotify is busy this week as its music side takes a back seat to Audiobook and physical book sales.
A blog post Owen Smith, Spotify’s global head of audiobooks, raved about the update this week, saying, “These updates demonstrate our continued ambition to bring reading into modern life.” Page Match is one of Spotify’s biggest updates for audiobook listeners who own a physical copy. Starting this week, Page Match is rolling out support for 30 new languages, including French, German, and Swedish.
Physical book copies are, as promised, the focus in the US and UK as Spotify’s Bookshop partnership expands. Android users with the app can get physical versions of the books they listen to in audio form. appleiPhone users will have to wait until “next week” as Spotify completes necessary support for iOS devices.
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The audiobook platform continues to receive updates this week as Spotify announces the expansion of its Charts for kids and families in the US and UK. In addition, these charts are based on science fiction, children’s, mystery, etc. in Germany. It is intended for users of a wide range of genres.
Spotify completes its announcement with Audiobook Recaps on Android and iOS. These recaps are “brief audio summaries tailored to your last listening point” and serve as a refresher on the story so far.
Side Story
Spotify’s Page Match was a is a big part of the update a few months ago. This feature allows users to scan the location of a physical book, then sync it with their audiobook. Since its debut, Spotify says it has seen a 55% increase in audiobook listening “every week”. In addition, there was a 62% increase in users who tried audiobooks for the first time and used Page Match.
Another aspect of this February patch was the Bookshop.org partnership. Consumers are still buying physical books more than audiobooks, and Bookshop on Spotify was a way to help bring consumers to the stories they enjoy. All purchases made through Bookshop support local bookstores.
Android Central’s Take
I like holding a book in my hand as opposed to listening to an audio book. I’m not really sure why; even reading a book on my phone feels a little foreign. Regardless, Spotify is really trying to get more into audiobooks (now paperbacks), and I feel like this is another significant update for people who enjoy them. It’s also convenient – audiobooks, that is. Whether you’re on a walk or on the train/bus, audiobooks can pass the time.
