streaming posts

Apple TV, amongst other things, now mixes your music!

by Sebastian Anthony Oct 29th 2009

Not only was there an update to iTunes today but there was also a software update for the Apple TV media center box thingee! With it there's a shiny press release and overhauled website.

If you haven't heard of Apple TV, it's their answer to the Windows Media Center -- just plug it into an HD TV, connect to a Mac or PC running iTunes via your local network... and blam! All of those lovely iTunes-bought movies and TV episodes can now be easily streamed to your big screen.

The new functionality being touted with version 3.0 of Apple TV are their two musical technologies: iTunes LP and Genius Mixes. iTunes LP is like some kind of 'immersive experience' -- not only do you listen to your favourite albums through your living room sound system (which is usually the best in the house!), but you also get 'extra footage' displayed on the TV! Presumably this will be liner notes from the album, studio photos and video footage from live concerts.

The update also brings the other new, neat feature of iTunes -- Genius Mixes -- to the Apple TV. Using some kind of match-making algorithm (a la Pandora?), Apple will apparently create smooth-sounding playlists automatically.

Of course, available to you at any time with the Apple TV there's the usual fare of streaming Internet radio and YouTube (though I can't imagine your living room speakers are going to be very kind to YouTube videos...) Also worth mention is the ability to easily get your photos from your hard disk (or Flickr) over to your big TV.

It all comes at a price though -- $230, for a box with a small hard disk and a network adaptor.

At least it's a pretty box.

[via Engadget]

Tags: apple tv, AppleTv, itunes, multimedia, set-top-box, streaming

Filed under: Audio, Utilities, Web services

Pandora finally gets social sharing, via Facebook and Twitter

by Jay Hathaway Oct 28th 2009

There's a lot to love about the Pandora streaming music service. If you put together just the right combination of musical ingredients, you've got the modern-day equivalent of the perfect mixtape. Sending your brilliant Pandora station to a friend or 2 (or 200!) just got easier, with the addition of Facebook and Twitter sharing.

Until now, the only option for sharing your streaming radio stations was email. That feature is still around, including personalized "Station Gifting," which is a bit like a Pandora e-card. Twitter and Facebook sharing work with single songs or whole stations, and they place a link (along with any comments you want to add) into your public feed. Unfortunately, you still can't use these features to share with an individual friend via direct message, so you'll have to stick to email sharing for that.

[via CNET]

Tags: facebook, music, pandora, sharing, streaming, twitter

Filed under: Internet, Google, Search

Don't stop believing. ANOTHER Google search enhancement -- music this time!

by Sebastian Anthony Oct 28th 2009

Did you know that 'lyrics' is the most searched term on Google in the last five years? Lyrics! Of all things! Not porn, not news, not even games -- but lyrics. And Google, de facto masters of search, know that there's more to search than merely quality or quantity or veracity -- it's about getting the results, when you want them -- i.e. right now. They call it 'time to result': How long does it take to find what you're looking for? If you search for 'Journey', there's a fairly good chance that you're looking for a Journey video or lyrics, and not a journey-planning site -- and that's what their latest search feature brings you.

You don't even need to know the song title -- if Google can match your lyric fragment against a song, it'll pop up at the top of your search results. Neat.

Google might've been developing this one for some time, but instead of implementing their own library of music and needlessly repeating a vast wealth of data already out there on the Internet, Google have partnered with Pandora, imeem and Rhapsody to give you direct links to the songs and artists you're searching for. Rejoice! No longer are we limited to shoddy-quality live videos on YouTube! But how long will it be before Google sets its sights on the music equivalent of YouTube? Lee called this one a yawner -- but I think this might be the best of Google's newly-released features.

Tags: google, google music, GoogleMusic, music, streaming

Filed under: Video

Netflix to introduce streaming-only service -- but not in the US

by Sebastian Anthony Oct 23rd 2009

Netflix have announced their intention to launch a streaming-only video option beginning in the second half of 2010. Currently the only way to stream Netflix movies is to sign up for the DVD-rental-by-mail service. But the new web-only option will only be available outside the US.

Why make a streaming service Netflix' first offering outside the US? 'Tricky' postal systems, says CEO Reed Hastings.

Now, this is a bit of an odd one. Most western nations already have DVD-by-mail systems that work just as well as (or better) than Netflix. So I don't think 'tricky' postal systems are the real reason behind this move. What then do Netflix intend to achieve by focusing on streaming content outside of the US? Is it just a matter of flexibility? More subscription options?

But again, why outside the US? Netflix's brand recognition outside the US is not great.

Hastings and Netflix claim there is still seemingly enough demand for such a service, with 42% of their subscribers watching at least "15 minutes of one TV show or movie in the last quarter." Readwriteweb point to the growing adoption of Hulu and BBC's iPlayer for TV, Pandora and Spotify for music -- but I don't think it's quite the same thing for movies.

People like using their big, wide-screen televisions. They like using their expensive sound set-ups. Set-top boxes that stream content from the Web are still relatively hard to come by and not readily adopted by consumers. Then there's the matter of bandwidth: streaming a movie in high-resolution with a surround-sound audio track is still way beyond the capacity of most American and European Internet connections.

Netflix haven't yet announced which country will get to trial their streaming-movie service, but it'll be interesting to see which one they choose -- and if it will indeed be successful.

[via Readwriteweb]

Tags: dvd, netflix, on demand, OnDemand, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo

Grooveshark reaches deal with EMI, more big things just around the corner

by Lee Mathews Oct 13th 2009

I love my Grooveshark pro subscription - I paid for it a while back when the new VIP preview went live and I've never regretted it. With more new features rolling out and a major announcement today, the service keeps getting better and better.

Today's big news: EMI Music and EMI Music Publishing have come on board to "create a mutually sustainable deal which represents the future of digital music," said Grooveshark CEO Sam Tarantino.

In layman's terms: Grooveshark listeners now have access to EMI's massive catalog of tunes. In a brief phone chat with Grooveshark's Joshua Bonnanain, I got the distinct impression that this was just the start. While he didn't spell out any specifics for me (we love a good mystery anyway) I'm hoping that the ability to buy and download playlists is coming soon. I'd much rather use Grooveshark for my purchases than iTunes - Josh said stay tuned, wheels are turning.

Some added coolness for current VIPs: there are now half a dozen new themes available to use and added options for the now playing bar. You can choose either no cover art, or artwork in two different sizes. It's an awesome option, especially if you use Grooveshark on both small and large displays.

Reaching a deal with EMI is fantastic news - here's hoping other labels follow suit.

Tags: audio, EMI, grooveshark, mp3, music, online-radio, radio, streaming

Filed under: Mobile, Android

uStream.tv Android Broadcaster now available

by Paul O'Brien Sep 18th 2009

uStream.tv have just released 'uStream.tv Android Broadcaster' on the Android Market.

The new application - a free download - allows you to stream video directly to the uStream site via 3G or WiFi, or alternatively record higher quality video offline for uploading later.

Additional features include support for GPS location, embedded chat with users watching the stream on the uStream site and Twitter integration.

uStream's offering will compete against existing applications in the Android Market from both Qik and Bambuser. Qik has had 50,000 - 250,000 downloads while Bambuser is running at 1,000 - 5,000 downloads.

A word of warning if you are a Samsung i7500 user however - the application seems to 'force close' for me on login - hence the rather uninformative image above. I'll wait for the next release then I think!

[via TechCrunch]

Tags: streaming, ustream, ustream.tv, video

Filed under: Mobile Minute, Mobile, Android

Pandora Mobile application arrives in Android Market

by Paul O'Brien Sep 9th 2009

Online music streaming / discovery site Pandora have released their 'Pandora Mobile' Android application in the Android Market (for U.S. users).

Pandora Mobile allows you to create a personalised radio stream to listen to directly on your device. Simply enter an artist name, track name or a classical composer and Pandora will create a virtual 'radio station' that plays matching music and music that it deems fit for your tastes.

If you already have stations set up via the Pandora website, they will also become accessible on your device. The application includes a homescreen widget for convenient control of your playback and convenient 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down' of the current track.

As mentioned above, Pandora Mobile -- as with the web based version -- is only available to U.S. users at the time of writing. If you're in other countries and you're looking for an alternative, check out imeem or last.fm (also free on the Android Market) or the recently launched Spotify streaming service (premium subscription required).

The application is enjoying a very positive reception from users - the current rating on the Android Market is '4.54 out of 5' - a positively glowing recommendation! Have you installed? Tell us what you think!

Tags: android, android market, AndroidMarket, mobile, music, pandora, streaming

Filed under: Audio, iPhone, Mobile, Android

Spotify music app arrives for iPhone and Android

by Jay Hathaway Sep 7th 2009

Spotify, a streaming music service that's huge in Europe, but hasn't hit the US just yet, now has apps for both iPhone and Android. Despite some worries that Apple wouldn't approve an app from such a direct iTunes Music Store competitor, Spotify is in the app store and available for download, although you won't be to use it unless you're a premium subscriber of the service. Download Squad took a look at the iPhone app's features back when it was first announced.

When Spotify arrives in the US with mobile apps in place, we'll get a chance to see whether a really well-done subscription service can draw customers away from the iTunes/Amazon pay-per-download model. Spotify's offline mode means that your music is available even when you don't have an Internet connection, and, while an iPod or iPhone might store thousands of songs, a subscription to Spotify means you can take their entire library with you. I'm predicting Spotify's going to make a big splash when it hits this side of the Atlantic.

[via Mashable]

Tags: android, iphone, music, spotify, streaming

Filed under: Video, News, Web

Is YouTube going to offer streaming movie rentals?

by Jay Hathaway Sep 4th 2009

YouTube's most popular content has always been user-generated, with a lot of self-produced stars making a name for themselves on the site. People go there to watch the latest viral videos, and maybe TV shows that haven't yet been taken down due to copyright. That's why it might sound strange that YouTube is reportedly getting into the business of streaming Hollywood movies, a la Hulu or Netflix. According to the Wall Street Journal, heavy-hitting movie studios like Sony and Warner Brothers are already in talks with YouTube.

Streaming rentals would be available for a limited time, and would either cost a flat fee (like iTunes) or be ad-supported (like Hulu). The WSJ speculates that $4 would be the price to rent a new release. Although this squares with what iTunes charges, iTunes movies are downloadable, and don't necessarily need a speedy internet connection like streaming does. YouTube is no-commenting the story, except to say that they're developing their relationships with movie studios.

[via Wired]

Tags: hollywood, movies, rental, streaming, video, youtube

Filed under: Audio, Web services

Pandora's desktop app for subscribers gets an update

by Jay Hathaway Sep 2nd 2009

One of the many perks the Pandora streaming music offers its subscribers is access to the Pandora One desktop app for Windows and Mac. That perk just got a lot cooler, now that Pandora One 2.0 is out. It adds some features that are pretty essential to a good desktop music player, like easy access to your song history, and a progress bar. I'm not going to ask why it didn't have a progress bar before. Even if you can't skip around within songs in Pandora, it's nice to know how far into a track you are.

It's not flashy, but the most exciting new thing in Pandora 2.0 is the shorter time between songs when you skip or give the thumbs-down. Volume settings are also persistent now, so you get the same volume every time you start the app. And, by the way, Pandora One is an Adobe Air app, so it'll run on Mac and Windows.

[via Mashable]

Tags: audio, music, pandora, pandora-one, streaming

Filed under: Audio, Apple, iPhone

Apple approves Spotify streaming music app for iPhone

by Jay Hathaway Aug 28th 2009

In a move that might have come as a surprise to some, Apple has approved an iPhone app from streaming music service Spotify. Spotify hasn't come to the US yet, but it's taking Europe by storm, and making more money for labels than the iTunes store in some countries. That's why there was some uncertainty that Apple would approve an app that seems like a strong competitor to its own music service. However, Spotify is reporting that they've been in communication with Apple and heard that their app will make it into the store.

What makes Spotify better than its streaming competitors is the ability to cache tracks into a playlist for offline listening. It's not the same thing as downloading them from a music store, but Spotify's subscription model is clearly very attractive, considering its popularity in the parts of the world where it's launched so far. The next test is whether Spotify makes it to the US in time to gain an advantage over competitors like Grooveshark and Rhapsody, both of which have submitted iPhone apps to the store.

[via ReadWriteWeb]

Tags: apple, iphone, music, spotify, streaming

Filed under: Audio, Beta, web 2.0

Streaming music site Grooveshark previews new look, features to VIPs

by Lee Mathews Aug 25th 2009

Grooveshark is an excellent streaming audio service, and one of our favorites here at Download Squad. Yesterday, they announced early access to a redesigned Grooveshark 2.0 for VIP users.

The interface has been revamped, and long gone are the days where I had to upload missing tracks. Grooveshark's library is massive, and I've been able to find bands that I once dug out of the Camelot Music sale bin. My long-lost Mind Bomb CD, missing since high school? No problem, Grooveshark's got it now.

Songs you locate via search can now be added to your library with a simple click (instead of having to upload them yourself). Drag-and-drop playlist editing makes re-ordering tracks a breeze. The player itself has been improved as well, with better caching and the ability to seek - just click the spot you want to skip to. Sorting options have also been added, and they make finding tracks and organizing your library and playlists even easier.

Currently there are four shiny, new skins available to choose from. The chalkboardish Tutorial provides helpful pointers for new users, though the new Grooveshark is intuitive enough to use that you probably won't need any help.

And it's still a great deal - $30 per year gets you a VIP account with no commercial interruptions, and even us geotarded Canadians can enjoy the goodness.

Tags: audio, grooveshark, music, playlists, streaming

Filed under: Audio, iPhone

Real Rhapsody iPhone app due to arrive soon

by Jay Hathaway Aug 24th 2009

The Rhapsody streaming music service from RealNetworks may be coming to the iPhone soon, according to a post on the RealNetworks blog. The iPhone app is finished and being sent off to Apple for review this week. There's a video demo of the app, and it looks like a decent front end for the subscription-based service. An Android app is also in the works.

The iPhone app isn't too flashy, but appears well-designed, offering all of Rhapysody's basic features, like searching and playlists. The app's best feature is a song queue that you can fill up and save as a playlist, which looks quite useful. There's also a music guide that shows current charts and what's new this week, and also allows you to browse by genre.

This is all good news for Rhapsody's 750,000+ subscribers, but I have to wonder whether an app that seemingly provides an alternative to Apple's own iTunes Music Store won't just be hit with one of Apple's notorious "duplicate functionality" rejections. Considering that the FCC is currently inquiring into a similar rejection of Google Voice, and that there are other streaming music apps on the store already - albeit free, and not with Rhapsody's extensive song library - it seems likely that Rhapsody will get a pass. Apple's been trying to clean up its review process, but the whole thing is still unpredictable, so this should be interesting to watch.

Tags: iphone, music, realnetworks, rhapsody, streaming, subscription

Filed under: Video, iPhone, Mobile

Qik livestreaming app arrives on iPhone, minus the "live"

by Jay Hathaway Aug 14th 2009

Qik, a mobile app that enables users to stream live video, was all the rage on Nokia phones and other mobile devices last year. Now, the highly-anticipated iPhone version has arrived, thanks to the video capabilities of the iPhone 3GS. However, Qik on the iPhone is nowhere near as revolutionary as some people were expecting: it can't stream live video, and it can only upload over wifi. An update that supports 3G uploads is in the works; but until Apple approves it, you can probably pass on Qik.

What CAN Qik do? Well, it'll upload saved videos from your Camera Roll, and it immediately uploads any video you record with it, as soon as you hit stop. It also supports shooting in landscape or portrait orientation, which no other video app has done on the iPhone thus far. Unfortunately, lack of true livestreaming and uploading over 3G mean that an aging Nokia still beats the latest iPhone if you're a mobile journalist. For folks who don't cover hot events or breaking news, the iPhone 3GS does a very capable job uploading to YouTube, no Qik app required.

[via Mashable]

Tags: iphone, mobile, qik, streaming, video

Filed under: Audio, Business, Web services

Pandora stays alive by reaching workable royality rates

by Jay Hathaway Jul 7th 2009

There's been a lot of news about the stalled negotiations between online radio providers, artists and record labels, but that seems to have come to an end, and at least one online music site is very happy about it. Pandora, a popular music player and recommendation service, was at the top of the list of possible casualties in the royalty battle, but thanks to the new agreement - which requires Pandora to pay out 25% of its U.S. revenue to SoundExchange in exchange for a whopping 40-50% reduction in royalty rates. According to the company, this means a fighting change to turn a profit in the near future.

The effect on listeners is going to be fairly small. If you listen to over 40 hours a month of Pandora, there'll be a 99 cent charge that buys you unlimited listening for the month.If you're a Pandora One subscriber, you still get unlimited listening with no new charges. This agreement is in place until 2015. Other "pure play" music services like Pandora will be operating under the same deal, but there are carve-outs for small webcasters.

[via TechCrunch]

Tags: music, pandora, radio, royalities, soundexchange, streaming, webcasters

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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