Well it’s been a long time coming but the ability to purchase and download audiobooks via Google Play on your Android tablet or smartphone is finally here!
You heard that right folks! Google has recently launched the new audiobooks section of their Google Play store and best of all you can purchase and download individual audiobooks without having to be locked into a paid monthly subscription.
Here’s a quote from the official announcement via the Google Play blog:
On Google Play, you can buy a single audiobook at an affordable price, with no commitments. You can also get a free preview of the book to make sure you’re hooked by the story and enjoy listening to the narrator’s voice.
In an attempt to attract new subscribers to the audiobooks section of Google Play, Google is also holding a limited time promotion up until February 26 where customers can enjoy a 50% discount on their first audiobook purchase.
There’s already thousands of book titles to choose from and currently there are 10 available categories to browse via the audiobooks section of Google Play. We’re willing to bet that more categories will be added over time. The current categories include:
- Huge Titles Under $10
- Hot New Releases
- Great Titles Under $20
- Movie + TV Tie-Ins
- Listens You’ll Love
- Win at Life
- Sounds Like Love
- Top Mysteries + Thrillers
- Popular Listens on Play
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Audiobooks
If you own a Google Home smart speaker all you have to do is say “Ok Google, read my book”. This Google Assistant feature will also become available soon in the U.S. for Android Auto. You can also listen to any book offline that you’ve purchased via your Android or iOS device.
To kickoff the launch, audiobooks via Google Play are already made available in 9 different languages and 45 countries with more to eventually be added.
What are your thoughts on this recent announcement? Do you think that with Google adding audiobooks to their repertoire of products it will give them even more of a leg up against competitors such as Amazon and Apple?