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 ]

Other news stories related to: "Spotify may finally be ready to debut a premium HiFi audio tier"

FutureBook launches audio writing competition

FutureBook has launched an audio originals writing competition, which will see the winning work published as an audiobook and the successful author hosted at the FutureBook Conference. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-03 00:18:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Weekend Giveaway: THE FLIGHT GIRLS Audiobook by Noelle Salazar

Enter to win a a digital audio download of THE FLIGHT GIRLS Audiobook by Noelle Salazar. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-08-31 10:33:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Audible to delay parts of speech-to-text feature as court hearing looms

Amazon's audiobook company Audible has agreed to delay parts of its disputed speech-to-text feature until permission and licensing issues are resolved. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-29 22:46:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Baen Books, RBmedia Partner On Audiobooks

Independent science fiction and fantasy publisher Baen Books has partnered with audiobook company RBmedia for an audiobook program. Under the agreement, the two companies will publish more than 170 audiobooks over the next three years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-08-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Authors Guild backs AAP’s Audible lawsuit

The Authors Guild is supporting the Association of American Publishers (AAP) as the organisation sues Amazon’s audiobook company Audible over a new speech-to-text feature. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-27 10:51:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Publishers sue Amazon's Audible over speech-to-text feature

Major US publishers have filed a lawsuit against Amazon's audiobook company Audible in a row over a new speech-to-text feature which they say is a violation of copyright law. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-26 15:42:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Hayley Atwell to voice Jessie Burton audiobook

Actor Hayley Atwell will narrate the audiobook for The Confession by Jessie Burton, as Picador reveals plans for the launch campaign. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-22 03:35:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Russell Tovey to narrate Joe Hammond's memoir

Actor Russell Tovey will read the audiobook for terminally ill playwright Joe Hammond’s forthcoming memoir, A Short History of Falling: Everything I’ve Observed About Love Whilst Dying. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-21 21:12:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Taron Egerton to narrate Elton John audiobook

Taron Egerton will narrate the audiobook edition of Elton John's forthcoming autobiography, Me. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-21 12:02:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Audible teams with 'The Walking Dead' creators on audio originals

Audible's push into original content now includes a team-up with a company best-known for its comic books and TV shows. The Amazon-owned audiobook service has struck a deal with Skybound, the team behind The Walking Dead, to create multiple Audible... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2019-08-13 18:43:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Listen to an Audiobook Excerpt of THE TURN OF THE KEY By Ruth Ware

Listen to an exclusive audiobook excerpt of Ruth Ware's new psychological thriller, THE TURN OF THE KEY, narrated by Imogen Church! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-08-06 10:33:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this

W F Howes snaps up audio for new trilogy from L J Ross

Audiobook and large-print publisher W F Howes has acquired the Dr Alexander Gregory trilogy by self-published author Louise Ross. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-04 18:27:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this

The Audio File: Five Great Audiobooks For That Summer Road Trip

Nearly 100 million Americans will be hopping in the car for a road trip this year, according to AAA, with most of us embarking in the summer. A recent survey commissioned by the Audio Publishers Association reveals that 74 percent of audiobook readers prefer to read them in cars. Given those... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-08-02 08:50:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Carcanet Press launches audiobook series

Carcanet Press is launching an audiobook series featuring recordings of poetry collections read by the authors themselves. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-30 14:17:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Jenny Eclair and Kit de Waal champion Listening Books

Authors Jenny Eclair, Kit de Waal, Sally Gardner and Bali Rai have been made ambassadors for national audiobook charity Listening Books as it marks its 60th anniversary. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-29 18:56:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Andrew Scott, AKA Fleabag‘s Hot Priest, will narrate Beatrix Potter audiobooks.

Audible has made great strides toward cornering the coveted Thirsty Parents market today by announcing that Fleabag‘s Hot Priest Andrew Scott will be narrating an audiobook collection of Beatrix Potter stories. Well played, Audible! I don’t have any children, but you better believe that my next... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-07-25 15:30:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Andrew Scott to narrate Beatrix Potter Collection audiobook

Audible will next month release an audiobook collection of Beatrix Potter stories, narrated by Andrew Scott. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-25 10:58:57 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Russian Ebook and Audiobook Player LitRes Opens Sales in Poland

Seeing its audiobook unit sales double year-over-year, Russia's digital retailer now has a new presence in the Polish market. The post Russian Ebook and Audiobook Player LitRes Opens Sales in Poland appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-23 05:30:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this

RB Media Launches New Politics Imprint, Kalorama

Independent audiobook publisher RB Media is redoubling its politics and current events publishing with the creation of a new imprint, Kalorama Audio. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this