Spotify is reportedly developing a new feature named 'Page Match,' designed to synchronize audiobooks with their physical and ebook versions. This development was identified through code references in version 9.1.18.282 of the Spotify app, as reported by Android Authority. The feature is currently in a beta phase and has not been officially announced by Spotify.
Functionality
Page Match aims to enable users to resume listening to an audiobook from the exact point they stopped reading a physical or electronic book. It functions by using a device's camera to scan the page being read. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology then identifies the text, matching it to specific timestamps within the corresponding audiobook.
The feature is also intended to work in reverse, displaying the page number that correlates with the user's current position in the audiobook, thereby facilitating a seamless transition between listening and physical reading.
Requirements and Challenges
To utilize Page Match, users would be required to unlock or purchase the audiobook on Spotify and own either the physical or ebook version of the same title. Potential complexities include variations in page numbering across different book editions. Additionally, the OCR technology for Page Match has been reported as not always reliable, sometimes requiring users to scan adjacent pages if the initial passage identification fails.
Comparison with Existing Services
Amazon offers a comparable feature known as Whispersync for Voice, which synchronizes Audible audiobooks with Kindle ebooks. However, Page Match reportedly differs by offering support for physical books and ebooks across various platforms, potentially providing broader compatibility for users.