Spotify is still coming hot and fast with the updates and future plans. The newest feature is an option to mute individual artists, and the latest churn of the gossip mill points to developments around in-vehicle hardware and an Indian launch down the road. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: GM tracking consumer listening behavior in cars. London’s radio pirates changed music; then came the Internet. Does music’s Q4 matter anymore? Continue Reading
AM/FM radio is holding onto its strong lead as the most-used source of audio in cars. According to the latest Infinite Dial results, 82% of respondents ever tune in to AM/FM radio. That rate is the same as was reported in 2017, and down from the 84% in 2016. Continue Reading
The primary focus of Amazon’s big event in Seattle yesterday may have been on the new home technology, but the company also announced that its Alexa voice control systems will be integrated into BMWs and select models of the Mini. BMW and Amazon had already worked on an Alexa skill for the use in the car, but yesterday’s news shows a deeper and more comprehensive application of what voice control can do in a vehicle. Continue Reading
Spotify appears to be testing out a new driving mode, designed for listeners who are behind the wheel. A few of the people with access to the feature posted about their experience on Reddit. Several streaming platforms and music specialists have explored the idea of special modes for car usage. Continue Reading
Nobex Partners announced that its apps are now compatible with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay vehicle entertainment systems. The company specializes in building mobile apps for radio stations. This connected car support means that Nobex partner apps are now optimized for those displays. Continue Reading
Clip Interactive, a radio digital solutions company, announced that it has completed the first stage of development in its consumer product integrations. This includes in-car services Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and in-home consumer product integrations Amazon Echo and Google Home. Continue Reading
Gracenote announced that its technology is now available in 100 million cars around the world. Its music recognition technology can power auto infotainment systems, offering music metadata and imagery to drivers. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: YouTube’s top ‘music video.’ Canada to rule on streaming and cellular plans. Are you smarter than your car? Continue Reading
We covered the early results from Music Biz Consumer Insights and LOOP’s latest study of in-car listening, but the final report offers some more detail into the breakdown of technology choices and listener ages. For in-car listening, 75% of respondents said they listen to AM/FM radio. CD listening came in a distant second with 38%, while digital music files had 18% and streaming Internet radio had 15%. Podcasts secured just 6%. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Wrap-up from the WorldDAB conference; a connected car report for automakers; touring Pandora’s Minneapolis office. Continue Reading
Edison Research has presented the latest installment of its Share of Ear series. The new report is titled Share of Music and it focuses on American adults’ music listening habits. This analysis reveals ongoing changes to where and when AM/FM radio still holds the largest share, as well as who is most frequently tuning in. Continue Reading