Spotify started out as a streaming platform before becoming a place to buy tickets, stream videos, listen to podcasts and listen to e-books. Spotify's next Pokemon-like evolution is to offer physical book sales through a partnership with Bookshop.org.
Customers in the United States and the United Kingdom will be able to buy physical books directly through Spotify starting next spring. The physical book offering is being made because Spotify recognizes that many readers still prefer to own physical books. With this feature, streamed audiobooks can be purchased directly from within the app with Spotify taking a cut of the sale.
Also announced today is a new Page Match feature. Now audiobook listeners can continue reading on their e-books. Where they stopped listening or reading will be automatically synced by Spotify. This feature will be supported on e-books and audiobooks in English only starting at the end of February.
