Music

Pandora app updated with Sleep Timer for iPad, push notifications and more

Cody Lee ∙ February 13, 2014

Pandora Radio users will be happy to hear that the streaming music service has just posted an update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 5.2. The update brings about several enhancements, including two new features for the iPhone and iPad.

On the iPad front, Pandora has made its Sleep Timer feature universal. So tablet users can now fall asleep to their favorite tunes without worrying about all-night data usage. And for all devices, it has added new a personalized push notification feature...

Rdio app updated with in-app playlist editing and reviews

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 14, 2018

Good news for Rdio users this afternoon. The music streaming service has posted an update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 2.5.7 and adding a few new features including Playlist Editing and the ability to read and write reviews in-app.

Users can now edit their playlists from any mobile device by adding, removing and rearranging songs, and editing playlist artwork. They can also now write reviews for those playlists, and albums, and read reviews written by other other Rdio users...

Apple launches iTunes Radio in Australia

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has officially launched its streaming music service iTunes Radio in Australia this morning, making it the first non-U.S. country to gain access to the service since it was introduced last fall.

It was reported in October that Apple had plans to rollout iTunes Radio to the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand in early 2014, and this appears to be the first step of that International push...

Shazam’s iPhone app gets an overhaul

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

With increased competition in the media-fingerprinting and recommendations space and an ever-growing number of new music services vying for our attention, incumbents like Shazam are finding it harder to stay relevant.

Shazam is of course wildly popular so it's not really going anywhere. On the other hand, with growth slowing - they have 150 million users - the company has now decided to redesign the iPhone app in order to increase engagement.

The app redesign signals bigger changes coming to the service later this month. Both Shazam and Shazam Encore have received this visual makeover, now live in the App Store...

New Apple TV channel celebrates 50th anniversary of Beatles on 1964 Ed Sullivan Show

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 10, 2014

Apple is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' performance on The Ed Sullivan Show with a new Apple TV channel. Simply named 'The Beatles,' the new channel allows you to watch the legendary British rock band's performance on The Ed Sullivan Show from 1964. There are also links to the band's digital releases on iTunes, which are available for purchase on iTunes digitally for the first time...

The first DJ app with Spotify integration arrives

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2014

Native Instruments' Traktor DJ and Algoriddim's djay may be among the finest iPad apps for DJs in the App Store, but now there's a new contender in town, a piece of software which lets one mix the 20 million tracks on Spotify. Introducing Pacemaker, the only DJ app with a Spotify connection (don't worry, it works with your iTunes music, too).

Unlike the aforementioned programs, Pacemaker has a simple user interface that's somewhat reminiscent of Windows Phone. There are some nice features included, too, that'll be likely appealing to those who deem Traktor or djay too complex.

Now available as a free download in the App Store, Pacemaker lets you make loops, skip beats, add and arrange effects, swipe to blend your tracks together, scratch like the grandmaster and lots more...

How to control the Music app using gestures

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Gesture Music Controls is a recently released jailbreak tweak from developer Pat Sluth. Its purpose is to allow you to control the stock Music app, and other music playing apps using gestures. These gestures can be used within the stock Music app, Lock screen, and from within the Control Center overlay.

Users can play and pause music, skip to the next song, go back to the previous song, and even share the now-playing track via social media. Have a look inside as we step through each of the features offered with Gesture Music Controls.

Bank of America and U2 team up for Product (RED) iTunes free song promo

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

U2, the famous Irish rock band from Dublin, has teamed up with Bank of America in a new promotion where the latter donates $1 for every free iTunes download of U2's new single titled Invisible to (Product) RED's charity which fights against AIDS.

The promotion was announced via a Super Bowl ad and was designed to help end mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Product (RED) was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono, together with Bobby Shriver of the ONE/DATA, as a way of raising awareness and funds to help eliminate AIDS in Africa...

How to add the Now Playing icon back to the status bar in iOS 7

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 6, 2018

When Apple dropped iOS 7, some of you may have noticed that the now-playing indicator that resided in the status bar was no longer a thing. It appears to have been removed per Apple's sweeping design changes for iOS 7.

NowPlayingStatusBar is a jailbreak tweak that adds the now-playing indicator back to iOS' status bar. Along with the triangular now-playing indicator comes additional option—each of which can be configured by means of the tweak's settings. Have a look at our video inside for a deeper look.

MusicAppMods hides in-line album art and reveals hidden song info in Music app

Joe Rossignol ∙ January 31, 2014

I've covered a lot of impactful jailbreak tweaks over the last week, ranging from Convergance and FaceOff 7 to AppBox and Remote Messages. But, smaller tweaks that make minor modifications to iOS deserve some mention too.

MusicAppMods by Adam Spindler is a new extension that serves two purposes: it hides in-line album art and reveals hidden song information in the Music app. Keep reading for a quick rundown of the tweak…

App Store highlights Sochi 2014 apps and music

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

With just one week left until the February 7 opening ceremony for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, Apple's editorial team has published a conveniently curated App Store section which highlights some of the best iPhone and iPad applications to follow the Games, along with some Olympics related music.

"Immerse yourself in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics with this collection of official apps and music," writes Apple. "Follow the progress of your favorite athletes, track each country’s medal, listen to the Torch Relay anthem, and much more"...

Sequential for iPad review: mix dubstep loops in real time

Lory Gil ∙ January 28, 2014

I love music. I am a big fan of all genres. Whether its orchestral music from the 1950s, 1980s Goth, thrash metal, or hardcore punk, I’ll give just about anything a spin at least once. I also love music-based apps, especially the ones that let you create music.

Sequential for iPad is a music app that lets you create dance-friendly sampling loops that can be added to tracks you are already working on in other programs. Don’t be intimidated. You don’t have to know how to write music to have fun. You just have to feel the beat…