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
Christmas. Over, for those who celebrate it. Now we turn our eyes fully toward the new year. And in the spirit of one-world community, today’s POTD is Our Place Radio, and international playlist of softly-hued world music. A perfect playlist for crafting New Year’s resolutions. Reach for the sky with those. Continue Reading
Merry Christmas! Here are three totally different listening experiences for The Big Day and The Big Day Eve. A hard-trance electronica shocker, a nicely varied list of traditional music from several decades, and a Dublin station that doesn’t play Irish. Continue Reading
Music recognition data house Gracenote has been acquired by Tribune, from Sony. The Gracenote unit will probably be bundled into Tribune’s media services division, according to Bloomberg. Sony acquired Gracenote in 2008. Continue Reading
2013 saw the important signs of crowding in the online listening space. What marks 2013 is the introduction of music services by the three big technology companies (Google, Microsoft, and Apple), and the tectonic rumbling felt through the industry. When there is reduction in some areas, there is expansion in others. 2013 saw saw feasts and famines. Continue Reading
Spotify’s new Spotiamp, in addition to being an homage to Winamp, is a fine, lightweight desktop program for streaming Spotify playlists. Only Spotify Premium members need download it. And by the way, Winamp isn’t dead yet. Behind the scenes, a buyer might be forestalling its announced shutdown. Continue Reading