Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Audiobooks on Spotify

timetoplayfair.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

241–250 of 269 posts

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#241

Post by iamacyborg »

nsteel wrote: post #157
iamacyborg wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only thing that’ll make me do is badger the folks at Tidal and other streaming co’s to create a proper alternative to Spotify Connect that works on my Yamaha hardware.

What is wrong with Tidal Connect ( https://tidal.com/Connect ) ? Honest question, have never used it. Don't you need to badger Yamaha to support it in your old hardware? But even if the old hardware was getting updates, Yamaha don't seem to be a partner ( https://tidal.com/supported-devices?filter=tidal-connect ). You can cheaply add Tidal Connect support to an old amp with a LinkPlay-based product e.g. https://www.a…

Yeah it’s likely more of a Yamaha issue but it’s a feature I use daily so is unfortunately a complete deal breaker for me.

I use Yamaha streamers so adding a separate dongle to those for those seems unnecessary.

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#242

Post by perryizgr8 »

bgentry wrote: post #25
galoisscobi wrote: post #6

Last time they complained about Apple not supporting Siri integration. Then when Apple added support for that, Spotify never added HomePod Siri support. The idea has ~5k votes and 137 pages of comments on their forum and yet no action from Spotify. https://community.spotify.com/t5/Live-Ideas/iOS-Implement-Na...

Spotify also still doesn't support AirPlay 2, nearly 4.5 years after it was launched: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/25/spotify-still-doesnt-su... I really don't want to switch to Apple Music (it's not a great app either) but I'm really tired of dealing with playback issues due to the lack of buffered AirPlay 2 playback. If you try out a proper AirPlay 2 supporting app like Overcast or Apple Music, it's a dramatic…

> Spotify also still doesn't support AirPlay 2, nearly 4.5 years after it was launched

Apple homepod still does not support Spotify connect, nearly 7 years after it was launched.

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#243

Post by Liquid_Fire »

AlwaysRock wrote: post #215
roody15 wrote: post #210

Wait you have to “buy” the audio book in addition to the monthly fee? hmmm no thanks. Just my take but I don’t want click to purchase stuff coming to Spotify. In my opinion this a fail. I already purchase a family plan for 15$ a month .. last thing I need is tap and click add on purchases.

Digital Audiobooks are becoming more and more of a racket. Amazon recently removed the ability to buy an audio book for a $ amount. You can only buy a credit and exchange that for a book. This means that you might be buying a new $30 book for 1 credit or a $3.25 book for 1 credit. It's incredibly frustrating and only exists to trick readers into overspending on books.

This is only the case on the mobile apps, to avoid paying fees to Google/Apple.

If you go to the website, you can still buy the books for regular money in addition to credits.

(In addition, the majority of books cost more than 1 credit anyway, so in most cases you are much better off buying via a credit)

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#244

Post by alexvoda »

threeseed wrote: post #178
fleddr wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Simple solution: enforce IAP as an option whilst allowing alternatives. The other option would be to not tax 30% on value Apple did not produce.

Apple does produce value though. They built the platform that allowed Spotify to even exist. And then they built the distribution channel that directed customers to Spotify. No different to Spotify itself.

Wrong, Spotify's existence does not depend on Apple and their platform. Spotify works on all platforms.

Apple is rent-seeking by abusing their natural monopoly on app distribution on iOS platforms (their platform, their rules) which is leveraged to create a monopoly in IAP channels.

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#245

Post by paulcarroty »

> Unfortunately, Apple sees things differently—because fair competition is the last thing Apple wants.

Hahah, so funny to hear this from a company well known for enforcing DRM & paywalls with ads everywhere.

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#246

Post by alexvoda »

amerkhalid wrote: post #133
waboremo wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean Apple would have to be competitive regarding their own services for once? Actually have it make financial sense and provide a seamless experience for companies so they're encouraged to use it rather than forced? No... that can't be a good thing for consumers.

Honestly, after getting screwed over by so many companies making one jump through so many hoops to cancel a subscription, I rather have Apple's way. Perhaps when law or credit card processors force companies to provide an easy way to cancel a service, as easy as it was to sign up for it, then I can worry about competition in IAP space.

Nobody is stopping you from using Apple IAP.

The difference being discussed is between and .

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#247

Post by alexvoda »

nerdjon wrote: post #115
waboremo wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean Apple would have to be competitive regarding their own services for once? Actually have it make financial sense and provide a seamless experience for companies so they're encouraged to use it rather than forced? No... that can't be a good thing for consumers.

Are we talking about the same thing here? I am talking about payment services. Most companies will do everything they can to screw over the consumer. Especially once they have you in a subscription. As a consumer I would rather these companies be forced to not do shady practices and have to conform to a uniform way of purchases and subscriptions. I have been in too many meetings about "User Retention", if given the c…

> Apple giving developer the choice of wether or not to use their system removes MY choice as a consumer to avoid scummy business practices (Which are often not on display until you no longer want to do business with them).

No it doesn't. If you use Apple IAP (or any 3'rd party IAP) you cancel there and the 2'nd party can't do anything about it. What you are claiming is just a lie, a strawman.

The difference being discussed is between and .

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#248

Post by concinds »

akshaybhalotia wrote: post #229

I have a slightly larger issue with the lock-in mechanisms of such "purchases". Whether I pay through Apple IAP or directly to Spotify, I can access the audiobook only on Spotify. No where else. I can't import that audiobook to another player. I can't lend it to a friend. I can't trim the parts I like and share them or listen to them independently. Moreover, when contracts between such platforms/marketplaces and publ…

Know any way to buy audiobooks without DRM? AFAIK, both Apple Books and Audible have it, not just Spotify.

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#249

Post by [deleted] »

alexvoda wrote: post #246
amerkhalid wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, after getting screwed over by so many companies making one jump through so many hoops to cancel a subscription, I rather have Apple's way. Perhaps when law or credit card processors force companies to provide an easy way to cancel a service, as easy as it was to sign up for it, then I can worry about competition in IAP space.

Nobody is stopping you from using Apple IAP. The difference being discussed is between and .

[deleted]

Re: Audiobooks on Spotify

#250

Post by pornel »

firloop wrote: post #8

As a consumer, I’ve actually come to prefer in app purchases. I love when a subscription is available on IAP because for something like a newspaper, I know that I can cancel it with a couple of taps instead of having to fill out some long retention form or call someone.

As a consumer, I'd prefer competition to exist, so that I don't pay 10x higher markup on digital payments for no reason other than Apple being able to get away with extortion and price gouging.

Apple forbids informing users about the extra cost they're paying for using IAP.

Apple forbids informing users that any competing payment method may exist anywhere else.

Apple forbids having cheaper prices elsewhere.

Post reply on HN