Spotify launches the ability to purchase physical books in the US and UK

In February, Spotify made an breathtaking (and a spot unusual) determination erstwhile it entered the satellite of carnal publication sales. As of this week, the caller diagnostic is officially live successful the U.S. and the U.K., allowing users to acquisition carnal books done the Spotify app. 

This collaboration is with Bookshop.org, an online marketplace dedicated to supporting local, autarkic bookstores. On audiobook pages wrong the app, users volition present spot a fastener labeled “Get a transcript for your bookshelf.” Clicking this fastener directs them to Bookshop’s website, which manages pricing, inventory, and shipping. 

Currently, the quality to acquisition carnal books is disposable exclusively connected Android devices, with iOS users acceptable to summation entree adjacent week.

Today’s announcement solidifies Spotify’s presumption arsenic a rival to large booksellers, arsenic it aims to alteration into a one-stop store for publication lovers. This caller offering is besides portion of Spotify’s larger strategy focused connected profitability. To further this goal, the institution has been increasing subscription prices in the U.S. and Europe. It precocious touted reaching 751 cardinal monthly progressive listeners. 

In summation to the carnal publication sales, Spotify launched respective different updates, initially announced backmost successful February. This includes the enlargement of its “Page Match” feature, which present supports much than 30 further languages, including French, German, and Swedish. Page Match allows users to scan a leafage from a carnal oregon e-book utilizing their smartphone camera. The instrumentality analyzes the contented and directs users to the corresponding conception successful the audiobook.

Since the feature’s motorboat for English connection books successful February, Spotify has reported that users who usage Page Match watercourse an mean of 55% much audiobook hours each week compared to different listeners. Additionally, 62% of Page Matched audiobook titles connected Spotify are books that users had ne'er streamed before.

Additional updates see the authoritative rollout of “Audiobook Recaps” connected Android devices. This diagnostic provides abbreviated audio summaries tailored to the user’s astir caller constituent successful the story, making it easier to leap backmost into listening. 

The institution besides announced that “Audiobook Charts,” akin to Spotify’s Music and Podcast Charts, is present disposable successful Germany, pursuing its erstwhile rollout successful the U.S. and U.K. These charts assistance users observe their adjacent favourite publication by showcasing what’s fashionable and trending connected Spotify.