Audible, the popular audiobook platform, has unveiled a new feature called ‘immersion reading’ aimed at helping readers maintain focus during audiobook consumption. By synchronizing the ebook version with the audiobook, users can now read along while listening to the content. This feature, accessed by tapping the ‘Read & Listen’ button, highlights the corresponding text as the audio progresses.
The integration of reading and listening is expected to benefit individuals who struggle with concentration while reading and could be particularly advantageous for language learners. Audible’s immersion reading initially supports a vast collection of books, including those in German, Spanish, Italian, French, and English.
This functionality is currently available to users in the US, with plans to expand to the UK, Australia, and Germany in the near future. To utilize this feature, users must own both the audiobook and ebook versions of the desired book. Notably, Spotify has also been experimenting with a similar feature called ‘Page Match,’ enabling readers to sync their physical or digital book page with the corresponding section in the audiobook through camera scanning.
Source: The Verge