Chevrolet and OnStar teamed up for the second connected-car announcement of CES 2014. OnStar will provide high-speed (4G LTE) Internet connectivity in selected Chevy models. Along with the rolling Internet, Chevrolet will provide a bundle of built-in apps. Ford and Chevy are promoting opposing conceptions of the connected car. Continue Reading
Ford, a veteran participant in the CES feeding frenzy, made a pre-pre-show announcement about its AppLink software that powers infotainment functions in SYNC-equipped cars. That’s a lot of buzzwords. Click through to see what it all means. Continue Reading
Billboard’s report on full-year 2013 digital album and track sales, showing the first-ever year-over-year decline since the iTunes Music Store launched, marks the end of one era and the start of another. But in real life, market epochs do not begin and end neatly. There is always overlap as conflicting consumer behaviors slosh against each other. Continue Reading
Over the weekend Pandora updated its Android app for more than 100-million people who have downloaded it, adding the alarm clock feature that iOS users were given a month ago. This completes Pandora’s invasion of the clock-radio category, and the AM/FM stations packaged in those bedside devices. Continue Reading
Today, Gracenote announced a new developer product called Gracenote Rhythm, which competes directly with The Echo Nest, whose music intelligence technology powers over 400 services. How will the two companies differentiate? Continue Reading
Reports are circulating that Google is extending its Glass Explorer program to subscribers of Google’s arduously-named Google Play Music All Access on-demand music service. This makes perfect sense, since Google recently added music-control features to Glass. Continue Reading
AOL-owned (but not for long) Winamp and Shoutcast are reportedly being acquired by online streaming platform Radionomy. A clearly synergistic acquisition if true. In ShoutCast, Radionomy would be obtaining one of the largest self-serve streaming audio platforms, adding 50,000 stations to its home-grown portfolio of 7,000 stations. Continue Reading
Google and Audi will announce a tech/auto partnership at CES next week. Google is squaring off against Apple’s “iOS in the Car” program announced last summer. Car companies are flocking to CES, a trend that represents the re-invention of the automobile as a mobile device. Continue Reading
It’s New Year’s Eve, and the question is this: Look back, or look forward? Sentiment or anticipation? The station was founded by Ron Lisk, who nurtured a lifelong love of radio and classic rock in college and with an indie low-power station before webcasting came along. Continue Reading
Pebble is a wrist-wearable mobile device running its own operating system that invites developers to create custom applications. The Mercedes/Pebble app is marketed as a general information assistant, checking car diagnostics and warning of bad traffic while driving. Infotainment options come into the picture with the Pebble’s buttons. Continue Reading
“We have decided to discontinue the Vdio beta service.” That abrupt announcement greets visitors to Vdio.com, Rdio’s once-sister service that sought to be a distribution site for movies in the Netflix-Hulu-iTunes-Amazon space. Rdio’s portfolio adjustment seems to be a case of trimming its sails and consolidating its bets. Continue Reading
Going for purity in today’s Pureplay, we suggest the energetic, multi-rhythmic, authentic Mexican sounds of SalsaMexico. Brassy, percussive, skirt-swirling tracks will have you shimmying at your desk if you’re working this week. Ray Perez, Gelberto Santa Rosa, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Impact Crea, and much more. Continue Reading