On Tuesday, Amazon (AMZN) revealed an update for its popular Kindle e-book app, which integrates Audible audiobooks.
The Amazon Kindle app update allows users to switch between reading an e-book on one device and listening to it on another with just a single tap. Previously, Amazon’s e-book reader and Audible audiobook player were separate apps. The new functionality in the Amazon Kindle app update is driven by Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice service, PCMagazine notes.
In a statement, Amazon Kindle Senior Vice President Russ Grandinetti commented: “Integrating professional narration into our Kindle apps means you never have to put down a favorite book — start reading at home, get in the car and simply tap a button to continue listening without losing your place.”
Users will pay for the service. Pricing for audio upgrades ranges between $1 and $4 per title, with recent bestsellers tagged with higher prices.
The Amazon Kindle app update is available for devices running Apple’s (
AAPL) iOS, Google’s (GOOG) Android and Amazon’s Kindle tablets.
Amazon says that more than 45,000 Kindle e-books have professional narration available. Users who wish to add professional narration to their Kindle e-books can do so via Amazon’s Matchmaker tool, identifies books in a user’s library with audiobook counterparts at Audible.
AMZN stock gained more than 2% in Tuesday afternoon trading.
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