The Google/Alphabet empire has been rumored to be planning consolidation under its sprawling umbrella of music properties. The latest insider info hints that the transition to phase out Google Play Music in favor of YouTube Music. Continue Reading
Sonos may be looking to diversify its product lineup beyond speakers. Sources told Bloomberg that the company is developing high-end, wireless, over-the-ear headphones. As with its smart speakers, the new headphones would reportedly take an agnostic approach, supporting multiple music services and digital assistants. Continue Reading
Samsung introduced its first smart speaker hardware in August, but before the Galaxy Home even hits the shelves, the company may be hard at work on its second project in that segment. SamMobile cited an anonymous source that claimed Samsung is developing a second smart speaker for its Bixby voice assistant. The second speaker is reportedly targeting a lower price point. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia is in the process of restructuring after a strategic move of declaring bankruptcy in March. Despite several years of financial difficulties, the company still has such a large footprint in broadcasting and audio that it has been the subject of takeover rumors. First, Apple was allegedly engaging in talks with the media conglomerate. Now, Liberty Media is reportedly interested as well. Continue Reading
Google may be making a big move in its efforts to secure a bigger slice of the smart speaker pie. According to reports in the Nikkei Asian Review, Google is planning a new smart speaker that will have a video screen. If these rumors come to pass, Google could have a product in direct competition with Amazon’s Echo Show in this year’s holiday shopping season. Continue Reading
Apple may be planning a new type of multimedia content subscription. The Information (paywall) reports that Apple is considering a single package that would combine Apple Music with the company’s original TV and video projects and its overhauled news app. Each of the services would still be available individually, but a single access point would position Apple as a single-stop purveyor of entertainment. Continue Reading
Spotify recently made waves in the financial sector with its unique direct listing, but the company’s next move is expected to be firmly back in the tech space. Spotify is hosting an event on April 24 to share its latest development. According to the early reports and speculation, that development may be a piece of dedicated hardware for streaming Spotify via voice control in a car. Continue Reading
Jimmy Iovine may be departing Apple this year. Sources told Billboard that the long-time music executive plans to leave in August 2018 when his shares in the tech company have fully vested. Apple has declined to comment on the rumors. Continue Reading
Spotify’s valuation may have reached $19 billion thanks to private trading. That’s up from a rumored valuation of $16 billion in September. Sources familiar with the trades claimed that the private trades for the streaming music services were happening at a price of more than $4,000 per share. Continue Reading
Spotify is reportedly in talks with China’s Tencent Holdings about a potential swap of stakes in advance of both companies’ planned public listings. The possible development first appeared in the Wall Street Journal (paywall), which reported that the two businesses trade stakes of up to 10%. Continue Reading
Music Business Worldwide is reporting that two of the major labels have started legal proceedings against TuneIn UK around possible breach of copyright. Sources told the publication that the suit alleges the UK branch of the online audio company had at least 800 unlicensed music streams in that market. Continue Reading
Reuters is reporting that Spotify’s latest private trading numbers are now valuing the streaming company at about $16 billion. The publication cited unnamed sources familiar with the latest deals for Spotify, although the company declined to comment on the rumor. Reuter’s sources predicted that by the time Spotify goes public, it could be worth at least $20 billion. Continue Reading