Bertelsmann reported results for the first half of 2026, with sales at Penguin Random House of €2.376 billion, up €53 million (or 2.3 percent), helped by the integration of Wonderbly, acquired in June 2025. Operating EBITDA adjusted fell modestly again, down to €251 million, €4 million lower than a year ago, “due to higher costs and negative exchange rate effects.” Penguin Random House US “recorded a slight increase in revenue” as “the audiobook publishing business also made positive contributions,” at €1.381 billion, compared to €1.376 billion a year ago. In dollars, the performance looks better, translating to $1.611 billion this […]

On Thursday Google launched a licensed platform called Expert Intelligence that makes participating books available for interrogation by an AI chatbot through the search giant’s Gemini Notebook. Based on the idea that “readers return to their favorite books repeatedly, and continue to apply the author’s lessons to their own life,” the feature “makes it simple for you to ask questions about the book and receive responses grounded directly in that book. You can also use Gemini Notebook to help you understand books in new ways, for example, by generating Infographics, Audio Overviews, Quizzes, or more from the book.” Users can […]