Music

Appearing soon after Zune’s end, we’ve been sent images of what Microsoft’s likely to offer in Xbox Music. Matching those early rumors, it looks like some cloud-linked features will make an appearance in the form of synchronized playlists, while the service will offer a free half-month trial alongside paid subscriptions. Prices are currently set at Continue Reading →

As the world of technology gets more and more mainstream, and some of us ponder how the story of startups and tech is namely one of scale and fast growth, the folks at Twitter Counter have been in touch to alert us to yet another milestone: Twitter’s very close to having its first user reach Continue Reading →

Apple did not announce a subscription iTunes access model – which has been mooted by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times – along with iPhones and iPods on Wednesday. And that’s just fine. Such a move, when it happens, will redefine the industry forever – but Apple, and music, can afford to wait. Continue Reading →

Apple tried, but it turns out its customers weren’t interested in forming new social connections specifically around iTunes music. So, just two years after it was introduced, Apple is officially retiring its Ping social network. The service is shutting down on Sept. 30, according to a message posted Wednesday in the Ping section of iTunes. Continue Reading →

To recreate the word-of-mouth phenomenon that made them famous, the xx shared their album stream Coexist with a single fan just outside London last week – days before its official US release. It was a risky marketing move that set out to test whether the band could replicate their initial viral success with a map Continue Reading →

Waiting to use Spotify on the Web? Hang on a few weeks. Waiting to pay $8 a month for Spotify’s premium service? Don’t hold your breath. Yes, as TechCrunch reported yesterday, the streaming music company is getting ready to roll out a version of its service that will work on a Web browser, instead of Continue Reading →

Apple is back at the negotiating table with music industry executives in an attempt to create a streaming custom radio service similar to Pandora and Spotify, the Wall Street Journal reports. These apps allow users to set their musical preferences, and are then fed a stream of similar music they’re likely to enjoy — without Continue Reading →

Although Apple’s September 12th invite graphic suggests the event will be all about the iPhone 5, 9to5Mac reports that new iPods could debut as well. According to the site, Apple might give two of its iPod lineups a refresh — specifically the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. 9to5Mac also speculates that it’s possible a refreshed Continue Reading →

Nokia Music, Nokia’s free streaming music service, is now available in the U.S., the company has announced. The service enables users to stream music from more than 150 exclusive playlists, curated by “an expert team of U.S.-based musicologists” or artists such as Lana Del Ray or Rihanna. Users can also create a personal soundtrack by Continue Reading →

Some members of our latest list of young innovators from around the world have developed consumer Web services you might have used, such as Spotify or Dropbox. Others are making more fundamental breakthroughs that have yet to be commercialized, such as more efficient engines or improvements in optical communications. And a few are blazing trails Continue Reading →