New Delhi: Audible has officially unveiled its latest feature called Immersion Reading in its application, which lets users read and listen to books simultaneously. It is especially designed for users who own both the audiobook and the eBook version of the same title in their Audible and Kindle libraries. This latest feature is rolling out first in the US, and it will expand to the UK, Australia, and Germany in the coming months. This latest Immersion Reading lets users view the text on the screen while the audiobooks play. The words are highlighted in real-time as the narration continues, making it easier to follow.
Readers can switch between Listen and Read and Listen modes within the application. To find compatible titles, Audible automatically detects the matching eBooks and audiobooks in the user’s library and displays them by using a dedicated filter. This feature was previously available on Kindle devices, but it is now being integrated directly into the Audible application. Audible has stated that the idea is to combine the benefits of reading and listening in one place. Immersion Reading supports hundreds of thousands of titles in English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French. Audible stated that there will be no changes to publisher royalty payments.
Audible has also added that the research suggested that reading while listening can improve focus and comprehension. Audible’s internal data also shows that the users who combine both formats tend to be more engaged, by consuming nearly twice as much content each month compared to those who only listen to audiobooks. Audible has also mentioned that it believes this could be useful for language learners, students, and frequent readers.
