Endel is an artificial intelligence platform that creates custom compositions for reducing stress, encouraging sleep, or other mood improvements. The app has been signed to Warner Music Group. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Voice assistants struggle with discovery. The new journey for indies. What if Google buys UMG? Continue Reading
Apple Music may be getting a bigger smart speaker footprint soon. An eagle-eyed reader of MacRumors noticed that Apple’s music streaming service is now listed within the latest update to the Google Home iOS app, but it can’t currently be connected to one of the smart home devices from that product line. Continue Reading
After lots of rumbles and rumors, a seismic change could be on the horizon for the major labels. Vivendi appears to be moving ahead with plans to sell up to a 50% stake in Universal Music Group by the end of 2019. If this sale does happen, it will cause a ripple effect across the music industry. Continue Reading
YouTube has promoted Carletta Higginson to director, global head of music publishing. Higginson has been under the Google umbrella for five years, most recently as director, music publishing in North America for YouTube and Google Play Music. Continue Reading
YouTube announced that its music service is now available on Sonos speakers. The integration is rolling out in all markets where YouTube Music and YouTube Music Premium are available. Continue Reading
Google has discontinued the Chromecast Audio. A representative from Google confirmed that the specialized device, which streams audio from a mobile device or PC to a home speaker, will no longer be produced. However, Google will continue to provide support for Chromecast Audio owners. Continue Reading
YouTube is making tweaks to its YouTube Music platform, continuing its efforts to make the video-focused service an appealing option for music subscribers. The latest update will see its YouTube Charts being made available as playlists in its 29 launched markets. Continue Reading
Google is reinventing a standard feature in smart speakers: the news update. Made famous by Amazon Echo’s “Flash Briefing,” Google’s version is invoked by “Play the news.” The initiative would bring the vast news collection capability of Google News into the voice activation realm. Continue Reading
Pandora has released a slew of holiday 2018 playlists, representing an imaginative, sometimes amusing sweep of holiday joy and stress. There is also a special Pandora Premium promotion set for Dec. 1 in the Google Android store. Continue Reading
YouTube paid more than $1.8 billion in ad revenue to rightsholders in the music industry from October 2017 to September 2018. According to the How Google Fights Piracy report, that figure brings YouTube’s total music industry payments to more than $6 billion in ad revenues. Continue Reading
Google is continuing to release new smart speaker designs to keep pace with its top rival, Amazon. The tech giant’s latest device confirms rumors from last month with the unveiling of the Google Home Hub, a speaker with a display screen, a low price point, and an emphasis on privacy. Continue Reading