Welcome back to Tech Briefs. Today, Spotify has rolled out a major update for its iPhone app that finally lets you buy audiobooks directly—no App Store detours required. As of this week, U.S. users can see audiobook prices in the Spotify app and complete purchases with just a few taps. Premium subscribers even have the option to buy extra listening hours on top of their membership.

This change stems from last month’s Epic Games vs. Apple ruling, which prevents Apple from taking a cut of transactions that happen outside the App Store. Spotify originally removed audiobook purchases in 2022, accusing Apple of “choking competition” with restrictive store rules. Now, Spotify says, “This change lowers the barriers for more users to embrace their first—or tenth—audiobook, while allowing publishers and authors to reach fans and access new audiences seamlessly.”

Other apps like Kindle and Patreon have already taken advantage of the court’s decision, but Epic is still fighting to return Fortnite to the App Store. For Spotify listeners, though, it’s a clear win: audiobooks are just a tap away. That’s it for today’s update—thanks for listening!
Link to Article