Startups·1 October 2026·1 min readTechnical readSource-backed

Audible’s new features let you explore book worlds — and use AI to talk to characters

WIREUNWIRED BRIEF

Facing new competition from Spotify, Amazon-owned Audible introduced three new artificial intelligence features on October 1 to enhance its audiobooks. The updates let listeners explore characters, view extra imagery and bonus information, and enjoy interactive stories. The first feature debuts in Sheehan Quirke’s book, “The Cultural Tutor: A Modern Guide to History, Art, and Philosophy in 49 Short Chapters,” showing extra details about places mentioned in the text.

A second feature, a character guide, launches with the Audible Original production of “Dracula.” It shows who is speaking in real time and provides spoiler-free character cards. Users will later be able to ask the guide questions about the story. George Orwell’s “1984” and the upcoming “Exoplanet” will also receive the character guide.

A third feature, interactive stories, uses artificial intelligence to let listeners talk directly with characters like Dracula’s servant, Renfield. Creators help build the foundations to keep these interactions faithful to the original work. Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza stated the new tools invite listeners into stories in new ways.

The launch arrives as U.S. audiobook sales reached $2.43 billion in 2025.

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TechCrunch

Original author: Sarah Perez

Original publication: 1 October 2026 18:30

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STORY TITLE:
Audible’s new features let you explore book worlds — and use AI to talk to characters
SOURCE:
TechCrunch
ORIGINAL URL:
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/01/audibles-new-features-let-you-explore-book-worlds-and-even-talk-to-characters/

SOURCE EXCERPT:
Audible is rolling out new features that help listeners keep track of characters, explore places and imagery mentioned in books, and even interact with characters using generative AI.

Last updated 1 October 2026 18:41

Original sourceTechCrunch ↗