Spotify may finally be ready to debut a premium HiFi audio tier

Rumors about a Spotify HiFi tier have been around since at least 2017, and the company even announced plans to launch such a feature in 2021 — only to back off the next year. Now, the company may finally be ready to launch a high-fidelity plan (dubbed "Supremium" internally) that would be its most expensive tier, according to Bloomberg. The aim would be to drive more revenue and address investor demands that it raise its prices. Spotify reportedly delayed rolling out the plan back in 2021 as two of its primary rivals, Apple Music and Amazon Music, started including the feature for no charge in their standard plans.  In addition, Spotify may enhance its regular Premium offering with expanded audiobook access, either through a certain number of free hours per month or a specific number of books (with an option to purchase more). Audiobooks are currently only available on Spotify via individual purchases. There's no word on whether audio would be lossless at up to 24-bit and 192kHz, as it is on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Lossless audio generally doesn't work on Bluetooth speakers or headphones (including Apple's AirPods and AirPods Max), due to the high bandwidth, so users need a wired or WiFi setup.Pricing hasn't been revealed, either. Spotify has kept its Premium plan at $9.99/month in the US, unlike Apple and Amazon, which raised their rates to $10.99. CEO Daniel Ek said in a recent earnings call that the company tries to balance subscriber growth with revenue, so... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2023-06-20 12:38:47 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle will finally add epub support

It only took about 15 years, but Amazon’s Kindle will finally support the ePub format. First spotted by Good E-Reader, Amazon updated its Kindle section with the news that the Send to Kindle function will convert ePub files to a format that can be opened on the e-reader. The update is scheduled... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-05-03 00:25:01 UTC ]
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How a Debut Graphic Memoir Became the Most Banned Book in the Country

Maia Kobabe’s book “Gender Queer,” about coming out as nonbinary, landed the author at the center of a battle over which books belong in schools, and who gets to make that decision. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-05-01 23:54:03 UTC ]
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SNE’s Publishers Name May as France’s ‘Mois du Livre Audio’

In France, the publishers' syndicate is gearing up to drive an audiobook adoption campaign – boosters, not just beneficiaries, of the format. The post SNE’s Publishers Name May as France’s ‘Mois du Livre Audio’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-21 18:51:12 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble is finally offering an audiobook service

Barnes & Noble finally has a direct answer to Amazon's purchase of Audible. The bookseller has launched a B&N Audiobooks service in the US that lets you either buy recordings or pay $15 per month for a subscription that offers one recurring monthly credit. You'll have access to more than... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-04-07 16:21:47 UTC ]
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17 Stunning Picture Books by Debut Illustrators

Illustrations are what brings a picture book to life. Check out these titles, which all were their illustrator's debut! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-05 10:30:00 UTC ]
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At age 64, debut novelist Bonnie Garmus makes the case for experience

Garmus’s novel “Lessons in Chemistry” delivers an assured voice, an indelible heroine and relatable love stories Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-05 10:00:30 UTC ]
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Ann Voskamp to Debut a ‘Song-Like’ Children’s Book

Bestselling author Ann Voskamp is celebrating belonging, love, and the difference one person can make in her first children’s book, 'Your Brave Song,' which will be released by Tyndale Kids next February. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Bruce Duffy, who explored philosophers’ lives in critically praised debut novel, dies at 70

His ambitious 1987 novel about the life of Ludwig Wittgenstein and other philosophers was a literary sensation. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-11 20:48:27 UTC ]
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'The DioField Chronicle' is a new strategy RPG that looks like 'Final Fantasy Tactics'

In 1997, Square Enix released one of the finest games of the original PlayStation era in Final Fantasy Tactics. Outside of a handful of remasters and spinoffs, however, the company has been reluctant to return to the genre in a meaningful way. And while we may never get a proper sequel to... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-03-09 23:19:51 UTC ]
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Omar Sakr's 'epic, stunningly dirty' debut novel challenges macho heterosexual myths of Arab-Australian culture

The lives of queer Arab-Australian boys and men are vividly inhabited in award-winning poet Omar Sakr’s darkly comic debut novel, set in Western Sydney. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2022-02-28 19:12:38 UTC ]
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PRH Continues Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries

The programs first went into effect in March of 2020 in response to the Covid-19 crisis, and will have been in force for over two years by the time they expire if they are not extended further. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-02-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Review: A debut novel of love and privilege that's made for TV

Coco Mellors' 'Cleopatra and Frankenstein' evokes a rich universe in multiple senses, but it feels engineered for a Netflix adaptation. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-02-04 14:00:54 UTC ]
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Review: The predator's wife: A dark debut novel with a #MeToo gender twist

Julia May Jonas' "Vladimir" is a thrilling "Lolita" update in which the deliciously wicked narrator is not the male abuser but his wife. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-02-01 14:00:41 UTC ]
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Olga Tokarczuk’s ‘The Books of Jacob’ is finally here. Now we know why the Nobel judges were so awestruck.

"The Books of Jacob" is an incredible epic by recent Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-02-01 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury seizes Aslany's debut non-fiction in 'unprecedented' six-figure deal

Bloomsbury has acquired Peasants, the "extraordinary" non-fiction work by Dr Maryam Aslany, securing the debut in a hotly contested auction for a six-figure sum. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-31 15:25:14 UTC ]
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Hundreds of books ready for display at new Black Community Library in London, Ont.

An all-new Black library is opening in London, Ont., at the end January. It will feature books written by Black authors from Canada and around the world.   Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-01-28 10:00:00 UTC ]
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Kristin Chenoweth Celebrates Adoption in Debut Children’s Book

Broadway actor Kristin Chenoweth explores the joys of adoption, showing kindness, and sharing love in her debut book for kids, 'What Will I Do With My Love Today?' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-01-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s Zebralution Backs a New IPG Audio Award in the UK

The first audio award in the Independent Publishers Awards program in the UK is backed by digital media distributor Zebralution. The post Germany’s Zebralution Backs a New IPG Audio Award in the UK appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-01-25 14:16:22 UTC ]
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S&S bags Bennett's debut thriller on New Zealand’s colonial past

Simon & Schuster UK has landed Better the Blood, the "engrossing and exciting" debut thriller by award-winning Māori screenwriter and director Michael Bennett. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-24 11:17:04 UTC ]
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500 days a debut

I’ve been a debut novelist for more than 500 days but today my status will change with the publication of my second novel, Find Her First. So before I leave my debut days behind me I wanted to take a look back and reflect on what being a first-time author has meant for me, and the huge learning... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-19 22:26:18 UTC ]
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