Archive for: stream
- February 18, 2011 1:32 pm
After last months announcement from Spotify that a deal had been signed with Sony, music streaming aficionados began getting excited. Finally we were beginning to see some progress on an innovative music streaming service that had been promised to us for many months. As we look onwards in 2011, it’s been well over a year since Spotify originally announced plans to tap the U.S. market. Unfortunately thus far, greed on behalf of the major music labels has stalled Spotify’s efforts. But those efforts are finally being rewarded.
Today, Spotify is expected to announce their latest deal towards getting their services up and running in the U.S. — this according to a statement from the WSJ. What this means is that Spotify only has two more major music labels — Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group — to woo before we can all enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Of course, now that the U.S. has had no less than half a dozen reputable streaming services blossom and mature over the last year and half, is Spotify as much of an item as it once was?
- November 11, 2010 6:38 am
Big content-owning companies (and companies who do business with them) aren’t the most intelligent, often being completely blind to the larger picture. Case in point: Hulu blocking any device that accesses their free, public web streams. The theory and rationale behind it is beyond backwards and stupid. But arguing about that could take weeks, countless pages, and at least a few trips to some heart-healthy fast food joint. For the sake of time and health, we’ll just say that the whole Hulu blocking tactic is ridiculous.
On that note, it appears an update pushed out by Hulu to block the newly released Boxee Box isn’t quite working as planned. Apparently, users on various browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple’s Safari, and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer are seeing a block message stating that they are using a Boxee Box and are therefor ineligible to watch whatever it is they’re trying to watch.
A rather minor issue no doubt. But an issue that doesn’t have to exist in the first place. You stay classy Hulu. God knows I love your paid “premium” service that still crams ads down my throat.
Back in the day — like, waaaaay back — there was Napster. It was a monumental service, that regardless of it’s legality, changed the music scene overnight. But during that time, there was another service that never seems to get as much coverage (part of that is because it was looked at as a simple Napster clone). Yes, I’m talking about AudioGalaxy. Several years back, it was your typical download service. Though it’s origins were much smaller in scope than say Napster. AudioGalaxy was the spot to go if you were a small band trying to get your music out there in this new digital landscape.
Well, the RIAA came to town and naturally, as the RIAA does, they killed AudioGalaxy and it’s innovative service over false information and a general lack of common sense. But that’s dead and buried, because the new AudioGalaxy is here…
The music streaming scene is quickly getting saturated these days. Honestly, the services all kind of blend together in my mind as they all do more or less the same thing. But Carphone Warehouse is launching a new service dubbed “Music Anywhere” that while not the first for what it does, is a little different than your common music streaming service.
The biggest and most important feature of Music Anywhere is that it scans your hard drive and makes a backup copy online. From there, you’re free to stream your music anywhere you please, mobile devices included. Like it’s European cousin, Spotify, Music Anywhere also buffers music so you can listen in areas of low/no coverage. Building on that feature, Music Anywhere will even grab 500 tracks from your library and store them for offline listening too! How could you not love it?
…
Yesterday we heard via a Bloomberg report that negotiations between Spotify and major music labels had broken down, causing a wave of sadness to wash over me and I’m sure countless others. Today, however, in response to those allegations, Spotify confirmed to The Telegraph that they are in fact still on course for a late-2010 release and that yesterday’s assertions hinting that plans were going south were “without substance”. Furthermore, the Spotify spokesperson whom spoke with The Telegraph also reasserts that once Spotify does launch in the US, it will follow the same freemium model that Europeans currently enjoy — Users can use an ad-supported web-based Spotify for free, or pay for ad-free web service and mobile access.
It’s all music to my ears as writing off Spotify was definitely one of the sadder moments in recent memory. But nothing is set in stone until I can go to Spotify.com without having to route through a VPN. Until then, it’s wishful thinking, crossed fingers, and plenty of VPN tom foolery.
In what is another example of major music label’s massive mishandling of their own industry, Billboard has revealed some information tonight that is rather depressing — Spotify’s US ventures “are back to square one”. The cause is as many would guess, money. Specifically, the inability of the labels to agree to a reasonable dollar amount to charge Spotify as well as apprehension with the freemium model Spotify has perfected over seas. Years of fat cat living have spoiled the labels’ senses for the finer things in life — much finer things than they deserve, mind you.
It’s a shame really. Spotify is a great music streaming service that european users have been able to enjoy for quite some time now. The continual screw ups that the major labels commit hurt not only themselves, but end users as well. Spotify too is hurt. Each day they don’t have a service available in the US, they’re losing potential customers to the likes of Pandoara, Last.fm, Rdio, and so on. Later this year, Apple and Google are rumored to be offering their own streaming services as well. Clearly the fight is close.
Hopefully the labels can get their heads out of their asses and get something hammered together for the sake of music lovers everywhere. Because the worst case scenario — and nobody wants this — is Spotify becoming irrelevant by the time it manages to crawl into the US. Either way, it’s a simple yet clear signal that the major labels in the US need to die, seriously. They do nothing but suck money from artists and prevent any type of useful innovation and progress in the industry they claim to support. Anyone still hoping for Spotify?
Update
Don’t write off Spotify and the US just yet. Looks like the allegations above aren’t entirely true…according to Spotify that is…
KaZaa’s old model may be down and out for the count, but the men behind the old green giant are trying at this whole digital music thing once again with a new subscription/social service called “Rdio”.
The social aspect of Rdio will apparently focus around the ability to friend other Ridio users, see what other users are listening to, and comment accordingly. Hmmm, sounds a lot like, Last.fm and several other lesser known music streaming services.
Oh, and all this can be had for $5-$10/month. Can’t blame the guys for trying, but I just don’t see anything here that would make me want to pay, let alone use the service. Anyone else having a “been there done that” moment? Would you pay for it?
While many of the so called “hardcore” classic gamers already have gigabytes upon gigabytes of old ROMs, a few of you out there may want to stay more on the legal side of things. Today, Steam is making that a great deal easier with 11 new classic Sega Genesis games ripe for the pickin’. The best part is that they’re only $2.99.
Catch the list inside…
Like renting new releases via Netflix soon after they’re released? Well, now you’ll have to either (A) find a new similar service or (B) start pirating that crap because Netflix just made it harder to enjoy the service you pay for. With the help of Fox and Universal, delaying new movie rentals for 28 days after release in hopes of increased physical media sales is the sole motivation behind this move. According to the trio, it’s a “win-win” for everyone, ultimately bringing lower prices.
Forgive me if I don’t understand, but how does fucking over consumers and forcing us to purchase a product we obviously don’t want going to “help” us? How is it “better” for us?
