This MacVoices Live! session concludes with a discussion of Spotify's new audiobook library and Samsung's pursuit of blue bubbles in messaging. The appeal and limitations of Spotify's 15-hour monthly allowance for audiobooks is debated as is Spotify's plan to use AI voices and its ability to compete with Audible, Amazon, and Apple. Chuck Joiner, Guy Serle, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, Mark Fuccio, and Web Bixby finish up with a conversation about the ongoing competition in messaging services and Samsung trying to push Apple into a message standard. (Part 3)

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:01:08 Spotify's new offering: 150,000 audiobooks for premium users

0:03:12 Spotify's audiobook service ranks third after Audible and free options

0:03:57 The limitations of Spotify's audiobook service

0:13:54 Voice Quality and AI Voices for Books

0:17:59 Samsung's push for RCS compatibility with Apple

0:21:46 Samsung and Google's attempt to homogenize messaging services

0:22:47 Need for a Cross-Platform Message App

0:23:07 Apple's Functionality vs iPhone's Great Features

0:25:48 Interfacing with Android People: No Difficulty

0:26:16 The rise of text messaging and alternative communication platforms

0:28:09 Amazon's strategic value in the book ecosystem

0:30:18 Challenges Spotify will face in disrupting Amazon's book dominance

0:33:03 The convenience of e-books and the decline in physical books

0:33:44 Discussing iPad Sizes and Models

0:34:55 Introducing the Panel and Contact Information

0:36:23 Mic Talk and Appreciation

Links:

Spotify Audiobooks is the killer feature to fight off Apple Music and Tidal streaming — and could destroy Amazon's Audible

https://www.imore.com/music-movies-tv/apple-music/spotify-audiobooks-is-the-killer-feature-to-fight-off-apple-music-and-tidal-streaming-and-could-destroy-amazons-audible

Samsung joins Google in RCS shaming Apple https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/10/23910941/samsung-rcs-shaming-apple-getthemessage

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