Spotify is expanding its platform to include physical book purchases through a new partnership with Bookshop.org. The company said users in the US and UK will be able to buy hardcover and paperback books directly through the Spotify app starting later this spring.

How the Partnership Works

Under the agreement, Bookshop.org will manage pricing, inventory, and order fulfillment. Spotify users will be able to discover books within the app and will then be directed to Bookshop.org to complete their purchases.

The partnership connects Spotify to Bookshop.org’s network of independent bookstores. Spotify said this approach supports independent sellers while providing users with a direct way to purchase printed books they discover on the platform.

Expansion of Spotify’s Book Ecosystem

Spotify launched audiobooks in 2022 and has since expanded its audiobook catalog to include hundreds of thousands of English-language titles across more than 22 global markets.

The addition of physical book purchases allows users to move from discovering a title in audio format to owning a printed version.

Bookshop.org founder and CEO Andy Hunter said the partnership could help independent bookstores reach readers by connecting them through platforms they already use.

Page Match Feature

Alongside the Bookshop partnership, Spotify recently introduced a new Page Match feature. This feature allows users to sync audiobook playback with physical books, helping readers follow along more easily.

Spotify also recently introduced offline lyrics with translation support as part of its latest platform updates.

Overwatch has recorded its largest player surge on Steam since launching on the platform, following a major showcase highlighting upcoming content and gameplay updates.

The increase comes ahead of the release of the game’s next season, titled Reign of Talon, which is scheduled to begin on February 10, 2026.

Branding Changes and Content Expansion

Overwatch originally launched in 2016 and was later rebranded as Overwatch 2 when it transitioned to a free-to-play model. The sequel was initially planned to include a cooperative PvE story mode, but those features did not fully materialize and were later removed.

The changes affected player engagement, and interest declined as some players shifted to competing games.

Despite this, the game continued to introduce new gameplay systems, experimental modes, and additional characters. Recent additions, such as the third-person Stadium mode and new heroes including Juno, Sojourn, and Mauga, helped maintain player activity.

Blizzard has now removed the “2” from the game’s branding and is relaunching its seasonal structure with the Reign of Talon event. The update will expand the game’s storyline through comics, animated shorts, and written stories.

The game will simply be called Overwatch moving forward.

5 New Heroes Coming

Reign of Talon Season 1 will introduce five new playable heroes. One of the new characters, a support hero known as Jetpack Cat named Fika, was previously seen in early concept art and has gained attention following its reveal. Additional heroes joining the roster include Anran, Mizuki, Domina, and Emre. 

The new season’s content has contributed to increased interest in the game, pushing Overwatch’s Steam player numbers above those of other titles such as Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 at the time of writing.

Steam Activity Reaches Record Levels

Data from SteamDB shows Overwatch has reached its highest player concurrency levels on Steam since its launch on the platform.

The surge is notable because Overwatch’s primary PC player base remains on Blizzard’s Battle.net platform. The game also maintains strong player numbers on consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Battlefield 6, which was the best-selling game of 2025, uses Steam as its main PC platform, making Overwatch’s Steam performance significant despite not being its primary distribution channel.

The Changan Nevo A06 is set to become the first mass-produced passenger EV powered by a sodium-ion battery. The vehicle is developed by Changan Automobile and uses battery technology supplied by CATL.

The sodium ion battery has been widely discussed in the industry, but has not previously been deployed at this scale in a passenger vehicle.

Sodium Ion Advantages

The Nevo A06 underwent winter testing in Inner Mongolia, where temperatures dropped far below typical EV operating conditions. According to the companies, the vehicle was able to charge normally at around -30 degrees Celsius and continued operating at temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.

At -40 degrees Celsius, the battery retained more than 90% of its original capacity. This level of performance is difficult to achieve with lithium iron phosphate batteries commonly used in electric vehicles.

Driving Range

The initial battery pack has a capacity of 45 kilowatt hours and delivers a claimed driving range of just over 400 kilometers based on China’s CLTC testing cycle.

Ice outside, innovation inside. Moments from the launch of the 2026 Changan Global Testing Season — ready to face the cold with us? ❄️⚡#CHANGAN #VastOceanPlan #2026ChanganGlobalTestingSeason #TechCare pic.twitter.com/u6IvfA127A

— CHANGAN (@globalchangan) February 6, 2026

While the range is similar to entry-level EVs using lithium iron phosphate batteries, CATL said the sodium ion pack provides significantly better performance in cold weather.

The company said the battery can deliver several times more power than comparable lithium iron phosphate batteries at sub-zero temperatures. This helps maintain acceleration and cabin heating while reducing range loss.

Cheaper and Easier to Source

Sodium-ion batteries do not use lithium. Sodium is more abundant, less expensive, and less exposed to supply chain disruptions.

CATL also said the sodium ion cells offer improved safety and are more resistant to thermal runaway. The company said the batteries have passed extreme abuse tests without catching fire.

Launch Timeline

CATL described the introduction of sodium ion batteries as the start of a dual chemistry phase in electric vehicles, where sodium ion and lithium ion batteries are used depending on climate, cost, and application.

The Changan Nevo A06 is expected to launch in China around mid 2026. CATL said sodium-ion battery packs are expected to expand across Changan’s broader vehicle lineup over time.

For now, the rollout is limited to China.