Spotify is testing new video features for audiobooks, expanding beyond its existing video podcast offerings. The update introduces several enhancements for premium users across multiple markets.

Key Features:

• 30-second video clips from authors
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• Author interviews
• "Follow Along" visual experience with illustrations
• Dedicated author pages showcasing backgrounds and catalogs
• Built-in sleep timer functionality

The new features are currently available to premium subscribers in:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• France
• Belgium
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Netherlands
• Luxembourg

This video expansion aligns with CEO Daniel Ek's strategy to compete with YouTube in the video content space, following increased video consumption on Spotify's platform. The "Follow Along" feature enhances the reading experience by displaying illustrations and photos where the book cover typically appears, with timestamped chapter navigation in the "extras" section.

The sleep timer feature allows users to set automatic stop times, helping premium subscribers manage their listening hour allocations efficiently. Currently, these features are mobile-only and limited to select authors and publishers, with plans for broader implementation in the future.

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