Spotify’s valuation may have reached $19 billion thanks to private trading. That’s up from a rumored valuation of $16 billion in September. Sources familiar with the trades claimed that the private trades for the streaming music services were happening at a price of more than $4,000 per share. Continue Reading
RadioPublic is offering a a gift idea for the podcast fan in your life. The podcast listening and discovery platform is now making Podcards. Continue Reading
AdsWizz announced that the first campaign using its Shake Me audio ad format has successfully run. Shake Me is a new digital audio ad format technology designed to encourage mobile listeners to take action without needing to look at the phone. They do so by shaking the phone, or tapping it. Continue Reading
Several tech companies have pitched the European Commission to request limits on behavior from Apple and Amazon that they claim are anti-competitive. Spotify CEO and Co-founder Daniel Ek and Deezer CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht both signed the letter to EU regulators asking for “a level playing field” that prevents some tech giants from “regularly abusing their advantaged position.” Continue Reading
Google’s latest addition to the smart home speaker space has officially launched. The Google Home Max is now on store shelves both physical and digital. The launch draws Google’s smart speaker offerings closer in line to market-leader Amazon, although the Echo line is still leading in adoption. Continue Reading
Streaming services have explored many options to tease premium features to their free listeners. Pandora is new offering its ad-supported listeners and its mid-tier Pandora Plus listeners a chance to try out a Pandora Premium session in exchange for viewing a video ad. Continue Reading
A report from Norway’s Dagens Naeringsliv claims that Tidal is in serious financial trouble. The article claims that company lost $44 million dollars before taxes in 2016 and says Tidal only has six months of cash left. It reportedly based the information on the accounts of parent company Project Panther Bidco. But is there any truth to it? Continue Reading
Voice controls aren’t just for smart speakers. Pew Research Center surveyed U.S. adults who use voice assistants and learned that 46% said they use the technology to interact with smartphones and other devices. The most common device was a smartphone, leading with 42% of respondents. Continue Reading
Triton Digital announced a partnership with 365 Digital, a digital publisher solutions business in South Africa. In the new deal, 365 Digital will leverage Triton’s a2x programmatic exchange and will promote its benefits to local publishers and advertisers in the country. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. Podcasting is on the rise, and as with any hot concept, several startups have already emerged to fill specialized needs. Here’s a look at three newcomers: Descript, Backtracks, and Shortcut. Continue Reading
Deezer announced an expansion into Israel. The company’s free tier and its Premium+ options will be available at launch, as well as a Family plan. The company expects to roll out Deezer HiFi in the coming months. Continue Reading
Another audio creator is making a second leap to television. Night Vale Presents has carved out a niche in telling stories about the spooky and supernatural. FX is working with Sony Pictures Television to create a TV series based on the company’s fictional radio show Welcome to Night Vale. Continue Reading