This year’s WWDC announced Apple’s foray into WiFi speakers, bringing it into direct competition once again with Google and Amazon for control over music and audio in your home. The new device is called HomePod, and it will retail for $349. The initial launch is this December for the U.S., the UK, and Australia, with a broader global rollout next year. Continue Reading
Last week, audioBoom released the first results from a podcast listening study conducted in conjunction with Edison Research. Today, we have access to the full slideshow presentation for the study, which offer addition insight into the podcast audience. It covers listening platforms and places of choice. Continue Reading
7digital has signed on to power a high-resolution streaming music service. The new client is HDmusicStream, a service launched by the founders of HDtracks that will use MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology. Continue Reading
Universal Music Publishing Group has promoted JW Beekman to the role of worldwide CFO. Beekman joined UPMG in 2007. His previous position was senior vice president of North American finance. Continue Reading
Pandora is updating its branded station ad product to incorporate select on-demand features and influencer curation. The audio company is hosting a campaign for Gatorade-owned brand Propel. It includes three branded stations, each attached to a fitness personality and focused on a particular genre. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcast preservation initiative at UW-Madison. Interviews about NPR shaping the direction of podcasting’s future. Continue Reading
SACEM has secured a deal to administer the repertoire of Warner-Chappell with three online audio services. The multi-territory online licensing arrangement will see SACEM managing the label’s music on Deezer, Qobuz, and YouTube. France-based SACEM is a collection society for songwriters and composers. Continue Reading
AudioBoom teamed with Edison Research for an investigation into podcast listening. The purpose is to uncover audience characteristics that could be useful to podcast advertisers. At the same time, the survey results have interesting points that reveal types of podcast listener. Continue Reading
We reported earlier this year on the move of the Mental Floss co-founders into podcasting with HowStuffWorks, and now information is available about their upcoming show. The program is called Part-Time Genius, and it will blend research and expertise in tackling strange, offbeat questions. Continue Reading
Two broadcast veterans have launched a new online radio project catering to New York City listeners. Satori will use real-time data to understand what the city’s residents want to hear and will feature that music in its programming. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has launched an app that brings its music service to the Xbox One. Owners of the Microsoft video game console can download the SoundCloud app from the Xbox App Store. Continue Reading
Napster has entered a partnership with Japanese company Rakuten. Under this deal, Napster will provide song playback, curated playlists, and its 20 million-track library to Rakuten Music. Rakuten Music launched in August 2016, adding a streaming music component to the holdings of the ecommerce business. Continue Reading