GoKawiil
Tech News
According to the Wall Street Journal, YouTube is negotiating with publishers and could launch an audiobooks feature as early as next year. The report says YouTube has discussed bundling the feature into its $16-a-month ad-free Premium subscription, though pricing and whether individual books would be sold remain unsettled. YouTube has not confirmed the plans.
Spotify has begun a global rollout of its audiobook service, extending availability from 22 to more than 180 countries by the end of 2026. The expansion grants access to over 350,000 titles in multiple languages, with some markets offering 12 hours of listening per month included in Premium subscriptions. Additionally, the company is enhancing its Page Match feature and expanding Audiobooks+ to more regions and plans, including student plans in select European countries.
Spotify announced it is expanding audiobook access to more than 180 markets across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, starting the rollout immediately and continuing over coming months. The expansion gives over 750 million users access to more than 350,000 titles in over 120 languages, up from a previous footprint limited mostly to English-speaking countries and Germany.