Pandora has launched a new native app that brings the online radio service to Microsoft’s Xbox One. The app comes with voice and gesture controls through the Kinect system. According to GigaOm, listeners can use the Kinect to search, skip songs, and give ratings. Continue Reading
Earlier this week, sources hinted that Microsoft may be working on a music locker service. Windows Central reported that the company’s cloud storage service, OneDrive, will now automatically create a music folder for your account. This folder would store a person’s own music collection, but sources said it would likely also connect with the existing Xbox Music service. Continue Reading
Microsoft announced that it will shutter its free plan for Xbox Music Pass effective Dec. 1. The free on-demand streaming plan was ad-supported, and it was later capped at 10 hours of listening. Now the only plan choice is a monthly $10 subscription, although new subscribers can try it free for 30 days. Continue Reading
Microsoft launched a new app for Windows and Windows Phones that offers shoppers full albums for steep discounts. Microsoft Music Deals promises to have 101 top albums on sale for less than $2 each every Tuesday. It will also sell debut albums for 99 cents and “timeless classics” for $1.99. According to VentureBeat, the app is mostly an intro to the Xbox Music app. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia has hired Gayle Troberman to join the company as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Troberman most recently served a brief executive stint at IPG Mediabrands, but previously worked for 16 years at Microsoft. She held multiple advertising and marketing positions at the tech company, and eventually rose to the rank of chief creative officer. Prior to this hiring announcement, Troberman worked with iHeartMedia as a consultant on the project to rebrand itself from the Clear Channel name. Continue Reading
Xbox Music will be getting an update in a few weeks, according to tweets from a Microsoft exec. Joe Belfiore, vice president for Windows Phone program management and design, said on Twitter that the service would be getting an upgrade in performance, fixes, and new features shortly. The news will come as a relief to fans of the service, which seemed like it could be on the chopping block based on Microsoft’s plans to streamline its in-house music and video teams. Continue Reading
Microsoft-owned Nokia’s music service, MixRadio, is slated to be spun out as a stand-alone listening platform. It’s big news — separating from that ecosystem will put MixRadio on the same playing field as Pandora, iTunes Radio, and other Internet radio brands. In light of the news, this is a timely moment to assess MixRadio and its potential to stand out in the crowd. How does it shape up? We tested the premium service offered by MixRadio on a Windows 8.1 computer with touch screen, and a Windows 8.1 tablet. Basics? Well-covered (mostly). Highlights? Occasional. Continue Reading
Microsoft sent the tech world into a tizzy yesterday with the announcement that it will cut 18,000 jobs. A large portion of those jobs will be removed from Nokia, which it acquired in April. That cut includes plans to spin off Nokia’s MixRadio service into a standalone company. MixRadio will need to offer something distinct and valuable for listeners to encourage them to test it out, much less stay around. Continue Reading
Pandora is projected to gain overall digital ad share, but it’s still going to hold less than 1 percent of the market. For the digital space, Pandora is expected to increase from 0.34 share in 2012 to hit 0.52 percent this year. While small growth is expected overall, Pandora is likely to lose ground in mobile ad share. Continue Reading
Microsoft is apparently preparing a music storage system to be combined with its subscription streaming service, Xbox Music. Combining owned files with a cloud-based streaming service covers all the bases for users who likes streaming music, but still value their purchased music collections. Continue Reading
Just as automakers can introduce concept cars, Microsoft has unveiled a conceptual connected-car platform. First looks make Microsoft in the Car appear to be a direct competitor to Apple’s CarPlay system which is rolling onto the street in a few models this year. Continue Reading
8tracks, the popular platform for user-created music playlists, has joined a small group of selected music apps in Microsoft’s Xbox gaming and set-top system. The app landed in Xbox on Monday, and there will be an official 8tracks announcement later today. Founder David Porter talked to RAIN. Continue Reading