Spotify unveiled its newest audiobook feature, named Page Match, which lets users swap more easily between printed books (or e-readers) and the audiobook version by scanning printed text, at an event Thursday in New York.
The premium service feature rolls out in 22 countries beginning Thursday, and it lets readers "match" the section in the audiobook to the physical book by using their camera. Users can use Page Match to swap from the book to audiobook or vice versa.
Author Harlan Coben, who was at the event, said he was enthused about trying Page Match himself.
Author Harlan Coben and Spotify's Dustee Jenkins.
Ty Pendlebury/CNET"I actually think this is the most exciting development that I've heard about in years, since I first started writing books," Coben said. "I think people are going to be reading more."
The feature currently works for English-language books that are part of the company's 500,000-plus catalog, but if the book isn't included then a number of titles also are available for purchase.
Organizers said that unlike Whispersync for Voice -- which lets people swap between Audible and Kindle books -- Page Match can work with physical books or any e-reader.
Page Match will also work in conjunction with Recap, the feature Spotify introduced in November, which gives readers an AI-generated summary of the story so far.
Watch this: Spotify Page Match Feature
Spotify currently costs $13 a month and includes 15 hours of audiobooks, in addition to more than 100 million musical tracks. It is currently CNET's Editors' Choice for best music streaming service.
How to use Page Match
To switch from book to audiobook:
- Open the audiobook title in the Spotify mobile app and tap the Page Match button.
- Press Scan to Listen.
- Use the camera in the app to scan the page you're reading.
- Spotify will match the page to the section of the audiobook and you are given the option to Play from here or Save for later.
Page Match uses a phone to scan where you are in the audiobook
Ty Pendlebury/CNETFrom audiobook to book:
- Open the audiobook in the Spotify mobile app and tap the Page Match button.
- Select Scan to Read.
- Scan the nearest page in your book or e-reader, and Spotify will prompt you at the bottom of the page whether to turn more pages and in which direction. When it finds the correct spot, it will highlight the section in green.
Hands-on with Page Match
I tried the feature at the event, and found that matching the audiobook to the page was fairly straightforward. Yet, when I tried to then find my place in the book from the audiobook it wasn't quite as easy. I found myself flipping back and forth a lot and always going too far. The Spotify staff said the issue could have been caused by poor Wi-Fi at the venue.