Streaming

Sony adds 320kbps streams and offline mode to Music Unlimited app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Sony's Music Unlimited is still relatively new to iOS. The app, which requires a subscription to the like-named service, just launched on the iPhone last year, giving similar streaming offerings like Spotify and Rdio at least a two year head start on the platform.

But it's doing its best to catch up to the rest of the pack. Sony announced today that it has submitted a significant update to the App Store for its iOS app that includes a number of new features including offline listening, 320kbps streaming audio, and more...

Rdio responds to iTunes Radio with new Song Stations feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Apple sent shutters through the music streaming industry last week when it confirmed rumors that it had been working on a new radio service. The still-in-beta service allows users to create custom radio stations based on their favorite songs, genres, artists or albums—similar to Pandora.

iTunes Radio won't be available to everyone until the fall, but early positive feedback has some music services scrambling to respond. And today, Rdio issued its response in the form of an app update that includes Song Stations, a feature that allows you to create custom radio stations...

What happened to all of the curse words in iTunes Radio?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

As expected, Apple introduced a new streaming music service on Monday during its WWDC keynote. It's built into the Music app in iOS 7, and it plays full songs, at random, based on a genre, album or artist of your choosing. It's a lot like Pandora.

But it's better than Pandora. I can't explain it, but I've been using it non stop the past two days and it almost always feels like the DJ is playing my song. Maybe it's magic. Or maybe it's my 5+ years of iTunes purchase history. Either way, it rocks.

My only complaint about the service is that, for some reason, there doesn't seem to be any music with explicit lyrics. Even with rap songs, all I get are edited versions. So I have to ask, Apple, what happened to all of the curse words in iTunes Radio?

WSJ confirms Apple will introduce new music service tomorrow

Cody Lee ∙ June 9, 2013

In what has become almost a customary, pre-keynote tradition, The Wall Street Journal has just posted a story claiming that it has confirmed the long-standing rumors that Apple will be introducing a new streaming music service tomorrow.

According to the report, Apple is poised to unveil the new service during its keynote address tomorrow morning in what it calls its most ambitious collaboration with the music industry since the launch of the iTunes Music Store a decade ago...

Sony reportedly joins iRadio for WWDC unveiling

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 7, 2013

The New York Times on Monday reported that Apple was rushing to close iRadio deals so it could announce the service during the WWDC 2013 keynote next Monday. The iPhone maker had previously signed the necessary music licensing agreements with the Warner Music Group in June and with Universal Music Group last weekend.

Notably absent from iRadio lineup: Sony Music Entertainment. CNET asserted that rough licensing negotiations between Apple and Sony Music have been stalling iRadio talks as a song skipping feature reportedly posed a major stumbling block for the record label. Fortunately, per a new report Friday, having resolved their differences the two parties have now found the middle ground...

iRadio tidbits: audio ads, iTunes Match syncing, no search/song skipping

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 5, 2013

As you may have heard, Apple is now rushing to close music licensing deals for iRadio. And with Warner Music apparently finally on board, the company should formally take the wraps off its Pandora-killer at the WWDC keynote next Monday.

Bloomberg yesterday explained Apple's ad team is prepping to sell in-app iAds to major brands, which apparently can’t wait to advertise on iRadio. And now a new report by a major advertising trade publication claims Apple is also keen on monetizing the free service by injecting traditional audio ads...

Bloomberg: Apple’s iAd team gearing up for new iRadio service

Cody Lee ∙ June 3, 2013

This weekend was chock-full of iRadio news, with multiple reports claiming that Apple reached a deal with the Warner Music Group on Sunday in an effort to wrap up negotiations involving its Pandora-like music service in time for WWDC next week.

And that trend continues today with a new scoop from Bloomberg regarding the service. The outlet is reporting this afternoon that Apple is revamping how it sells mobile ads to better cater to businesses that apparently can't wait to advertise on iRadio...

Apple reportedly reaches iRadio deal with Warner Music

Cody Lee ∙ June 3, 2013

Citing sources "familiar with the negotiations," a new report is out claiming that Apple has finally reached a deal with Warner Music over iRadio licensing terms. Warner was one of the three remaining label holdouts on Apple's upcoming Pandora-like music service.

Rumors about the service have been flying about for months. It was expected to launch earlier this year, but Tim Cook and company have been having trouble reaching deals with the top four record labels. And now they are reportedly aiming for a WWDC launch...

Rdio 2.2 is out with new ‘Find People’ feature, improved UI and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Hot on the heels of this morning's update from Pandora comes a new version of the Rdio app for iOS. The update brings the music client to version 2.2, and includes a number of new features and improvements.

Perhaps the biggest change in today's release is the addition of "Find People," a new tool that will make it easier for users to find friends and discover artists to follow. And the UI improvements are also blatant...

Pandora updated with new Facebook sharing options, improved music details and more

Cody Lee ∙ May 22, 2013

Good news Pandora users, an update for the popular iOS client landed in the App Store this morning, bringing it to version 4.3. The update includes a handful of new features, as well as the usual bug fixes and improvements.

As far as new features go, the highlight of today's release is the improved Facebook integration. Users now have the ability to publish their favorite tracks and stations to the social network, helping others discover new music...

Song skipping feature reportedly stalling iRadio talks

Cody Lee ∙ May 18, 2013

Industry chatter regarding 'iRadio' is really starting to pick up. Yesterday, a report surfaced claiming that Apple is struggling to reach deals with record labels because such a service has never been tried before. And today, we have even more details on the talks.

Citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations, CNET is reporting that the labels are actually very keen on Apple's music service, but there's a single issue keeping them from signing on the dotted line. Apparently, they can't agree on song skipping terms...

Tough negotiations could see iRadio miss WWDC launch

Cody Lee ∙ May 17, 2013

It feels like the summer of 2011 all over again. Both Apple and Google were rumored to be working on a music service, and Google has beaten Apple to the punch by announcing theirs well in advance. Back then it was cloud storage. This time it's streaming.

Earlier this week, Google unveiled its new 'All Access' streaming music service. And according to a new report, unless Apple can reach a deal with the remaining hold-out record labels, it's going to again have a several month head start on Apple's release...