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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