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"


APA Report: US Sees Double-Digit Audiobook Sales Growth for 11th Year

The Audio Publishers Association finds in its annual report that audiobook sales generated $1.8 billion in the United States in 2022. The post APA Report: US Sees Double-Digit Audiobook Sales Growth for 11th Year appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-06-01 15:27:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Audiobook Market, and Revenue, Keeps Growing

The Audio Publishers Association’s annual sales survey revealed an 11th straight year of double-digit growth in audiobook sales, with 2022 revenue from reporting publishers up 10%, to $1.8 billion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'AudioFile' Magazine Announces 2023 Golden Voice Award Winners

'AudioFile' has named the three winners of its annual Golden Voice awards, which honors voice actors who have made significant contributions to audiobook publishing. The recipients are Kevin R. Free, Marin Ireland, and Nicholas Boulton. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-31 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Summer Listening Sorted: Don’t Miss Out on These 28 Free Audiobooks from SYNC

SYNC, an annual summer audiobook program for teens, is back to provide 28 free audiobooks from April to August. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-04-24 10:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Norway’s Beat Technology Partners With Sweden’s Adlibris

A Publishing Perspectives exclusive: Beat Technology's newest platform is an audiobook and ebook app for Sweden's Adlibris book retailer. The post Norway’s Beat Technology Partners With Sweden’s Adlibris appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-13 16:52:02 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The best ereaders for 2023

Anyone who stares at a screen all day probably doesn’t want to do so when they unwind with a book. But the convenience of getting a new read instantaneously and carrying a full bookcase in your pocket is pretty appealing. Ereaders combine the best of paper and computers, and they’re capable of... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-04-04 13:00:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Audible is now testing ads in your audiobooks for some reason

Amazon-owned Audible has started putting ads in audiobooks, potentially indicating a sea change within the industry. The company says it is “conducting limited testing” on a select user base with the advertisements and that this step is currently reserved for non-paying members, giving them... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-03-30 18:54:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this


2023 Audie Award Winners Announced

The winners of 2023 Audie Awards were announced this week. The award honors the best audiobook performances in 26 categories. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-30 17:36:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Germany’s Bookwire Announces Opening a United States Subsidiary

The ebook and audiobook distributor Bookwire opens its presence in a seventh country, looking to the United States for new business. The post Germany’s Bookwire Announces Opening a United States Subsidiary appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-30 16:58:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this


2023 Audie Awards Return to New York, Celebrate Viola Davis

At the Audio Publishers Association's first in-person Audie Awards ceremony since 2020, Viola Davis's 'Finding Me' took home the prize for Audiobook of the Year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


BookBeat Review: Better than Scribd but Not Widely Accessible

In this in-depth BookBeat review, let’s find out what makes this service better than Scribd for English-language audiobook listeners. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-24 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Blackstone Grows Beyond Its Audiobook Roots

Blackstone Publishing has built a backlist of about 800 print and 950 e-book titles since it released its first books in those formats in 2016. The goal now, company president Anthony Goff said, is to continue to ramp up production across all formats. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Please Stop Removing Recipes from Audiobooks!

The recipes in foodie audiobooks add that something extra and deserve to be heard by audiobook listeners. Here's why. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-22 10:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Poland’s Draga Group Announces an Audiobook Platform

The Norwegian developer of bespoke audiobook platforms, Beat Technology, is creating a new service, 'Volume,' for Poland's Sonia Draga. The post Poland’s Draga Group Announces an Audiobook Platform appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-13 18:04:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Spotify debuts its TikTok-style music discovery feed

The vertical TikTok-style video feed has invaded a lot of the apps we use on a daily basis and now it's officially coming to one more. After announcing a beta test last year, Spotify will begin rolling out a new design for the Home section of its mobile app with a "more visual, dynamic" look.... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-03-08 18:33:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners

The German Audiobook Prize opens the Lit.Cologne festival with new 2023 honors in seven categories including 'Best Radio Play.' The post The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-01 12:52:23 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Cute Audiobook Merch for Passionate Listeners

Celebrate your love of audiobooks with these cute audiobook-themed shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, mugs, stickers, and more!- Gia R. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-28 11:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Spotify is ditching the heart icon for an dual-purpose plus button

Spotify is waving goodbye to its heart icon. The company is combining the icon, which enables you to quickly save music to your library, with the "add to playlist" prompt under a single plus button.The plus button works a little differently on Spotify than it does on Apple Music, where tapping... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-02-27 18:15:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Scribd vs. Audible: Which Is the Best Audiobook Service?

What’s the best audiobook service? In this Scribd vs Audible rundown, let’s break down their features, pricing, pros and cons, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-23 11:39:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Storytel Touts Q4 Results in a ‘Truly Remarkable Year’

Audiobook subscription company Storytel cites a 22-percent increase year over year, at 3.2 billion Swedish kronor. The post Storytel Touts Q4 Results in a ‘Truly Remarkable Year’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-17 13:56:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this