Amazon Renames Kindle Unlimited to Kindle Plus and Expands Audiobooks
Amazon is joining the industry trend of rebranding subscription services by renaming Kindle Unlimited to Kindle Plus, alongside expanding access to thousands of new audiobooks.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
The Rebrand to Kindle Plus
The subscription service formerly known as Kindle Unlimited is undergoing a rebrand, continuing a broader industry trend where tech companies add a plus to their offerings. Amazon has officially renamed the service to Kindle Plus, though the core offering of unlimited access to a select collection of ebooks, comics, and magazines remains intact.
According to Amazon, the pricing for the subscription service stays at $11.99 per month. Subscribers can still borrow up to 20 titles at once with no return dates, and existing reading history, bookmarks, notes, and saved titles all carry over seamlessly to the rebranded platform.
Expansion of the Audiobook Library
While the pricing and borrowing limits are unchanged, the most significant update to the service involves a major expansion of its audiobook collection. Kindle Plus now incorporates thousands of additional audiobooks into its catalog at no extra cost, allowing readers to seamlessly switch back and forth between reading and listening exactly where they left off.
In addition to titles featuring traditional human narrators, the expanded library includes virtual voice options read by AI narrators. Amazon spokesperson Josh Pflug confirmed the update, stating that the subscription continues to offer the same reading experience while adding thousands of audiobooks to the U.S. catalog.
Kindle Direct Publishing Integration
To support the influx of new audio content, Amazon is opening up access through its Kindle Direct Publishing platform. Authors using KDP can now make their audiobooks available directly to Kindle Plus subscribers.
Virtual voice audiobooks automatically become available as new titles are enrolled in KDP Select, and authors also have the option to opt-in for previously published titles. For creators who prefer traditional human narration, audiobooks created through Audible's Audiobook Creation Exchange marketplace are also being integrated into the Kindle Plus lineup.
Hardware Compatibility and Availability
Kindle Plus operates as a standalone subscription that remains separate from Amazon Prime. The updated service is live now and works across Amazon's Kindle app as well as the company's redesigned lineup of Kindle hardware.
While the initial rollout of these expanded audiobook features is focused primarily on subscribers in the United States, Amazon has indicated plans to expand availability to additional international markets over time.
Sources
- The VergeAmazon renames Kindle Unlimited to Kindle Plus and expands access to audiobooks
- EngadgetAmazon rebrands Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+
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