Spotify launches Car Thing: voice controlled, knob-assisted, dashboard-placed, outright challenge to radio and the commute

Posted on by Brad Hill

The rumored in-car listening device from Spotify, playfully called Car Thing, has arrived. The voice-controlled, knob-adjusting device is flagrantly designed to push aside both the car radio, the in-car smartphone, and in-dash systems … for Premium subscribers, at least, who get the device free during an introductory period. Click for pics and more.
Continue Reading →

Steve Goldstein: Zooming in on 8% of podcasts

Posted on by Steve Goldstein

by Steve Goldstein
In a follow up to last week’s column, Steve Goldstein collaborates with Podnews, and continues to bring an intelligent and realistic view of the global podcast catalog. Two-million podcasts, per recent headlines? A more sensible number is much lower. This Amplifi/Podnews research is a must read for potential creators, and for advertisers.
Continue Reading →

Vox Media acquires Preet Bharara’s Cafe Studios

Posted on by Brad Hill

Vox Media announced Sunday evening that it has acquired Cafe Studios, co-founded in 2017 by Preet Bharara. Cafe Studios explores how law and policy intersect with politics, news, business, history, and technology. The acquisition will be placed in Vox Media Podcast Network, a division of Vox Media Studios, a unit of Vox Media.  Continue Reading →