Spotify
Apple considers allowing third-party apps to be set as iOS defaults
The company is also reportedly working on allowing third-party music services like Spotify to run directly on its HomePod smart speaker, bypassing the need to stream them from an Apple device over AirPlay. Although the plans are thought to be in their early stages, Bloomberg says that the changes could arrive later this year in iOS 14 and in an update to the HomePod’s firmware.
Billboard is changing its albums chart to count YouTube streams
Video streams from other platforms will also count, including Apple, Spotify, Tidal, and Vevo, and Billboard says the change will also impact genre album consumption charts, like country, Latin, and others. Billboard’s charts have historically been seen as a barometer of success within the music industry.
Mariah Carey breaks three Guinness World Records — in pictures
Sharing the news on her verified Instagram handle, Mariah said that the awards were presented to her over the weekend by the Guinness World Records.
How Mr Eazi, YouTube are helping emerging musicians
Joseph Akinfenwa, aka Joeboy, is one of Nigeria’s fast-rising music artists. The 22-year-old went from singing in his bathroom to topping music charts in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Nigeria in the space of a few months.
Davido, Kiddominant featured in Chris Brown’s ‘Indigo Extended’
Nigerian music heavyweights David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and Ayoola Agboola aka Kiddominant have been featured on American artist Chris Brown’s new album.
US states launch antitrust investigation into Google
Attorneys general from 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico formally opened an antitrust probe on Monday into Alphabet’s Google, in a sign of growing government scrutiny of U.S. technology giants.
Wizkid becomes first African to hit eight million monthly listeners on Spotify
Afropop star Ayodeji Balogun aka Wizkid has become the first African artist to hit eight million monthly streams on Spotify.
Spotify grew subscribers 31% in Q2 2019, extending its lead over Apple Music
Spotify reported today that it added 8 million new subscribers in the most recent quarter as the music streaming leader widened its lead over rival Apple Music.
Samsung launches Bixby Marketplace in the US and South Korea
Samsung has launched its Bixby Marketplace, a dedicated app store where third-party developers can offer their own Bixby-compatible services, similar to Amazon’s Alexa skills. The marketplace, which apparently started rolling out a few days ago, is officially open now for Samsung customers in the U.S. and Samsung’s native South Korea.
Facebook announces Libra cryptocurrency and Calibra digital wallet
Facebook announced its cryptocurrency Libra and a global association of organizations that will govern it. And Facebook also announced Calibra, a new subsidiary that will build a digital wallet for Messenger, WhatsApp, and a standalone app on iOS and Android.
Kaspersky: Nigeria children spend more time on video sites
Children in Nigeria spend more time than others in over 10 countries watching videos and listening to music online, the latest report by a global cybersecurity company, Kaspersky Lab, has shown.
Spotify signs podcast deal with the Obamas’ production company
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have signed a multiyear deal to produce podcasts exclusively for Spotify, through their media company Higher Ground Productions. The announcement is light on details, but heavy on aphorisms, saying the move continues the Obamas’ mission to “create compelling content that entertains and inspires viewers.”
Apple faces inevitable antitrust headache as EU launches App Store investigation
Apple is facing an antitrust investigation that was predictable the moment it announced it was getting into the music streaming business four years ago. The company can most likely expect a similar investigation down the road after it launches its video streaming service later this year.
Report: Apple to be formally investigated over Spotify’s antitrust complaint
The EU is preparing to launch a formal antitrust investigation against Apple following Spotify’s official complaint, reports the Financial Times. Spotify claims that Apple uses its App Store to stifle innovation and limit consumer choice in favor of its own Apple Music service.
Amazon strikes at Spotify with new free streaming music with ads
Billboard recently reported that Amazon had entered discussions to launch an answer to Spotify’s free music streaming tier, and apparently, those talks were productive. The Seattle company today announced an ad-supported Amazon Music option that’s available through Alexa-enabled devices in the U.S.
Beyonce drops another surprise album
Beyonce, the queen of surprise and so much else, has again dropped a record with no warning: a live album to go with an upcoming Netflix documentary on her performance at Coachella last year.
Spotify files complaint against Apple in Europe over ‘unfair’ fees and restrictions
Spotify has announced that it’s filing a complaint against Apple with the European Commission (EC), citing anti-competition practices and a business model that gives Apple an “unfair advantage”.
Kylie Jenner takes world’s youngest billionaire crown from Mark Zuckerberg
Forbes has released its annual list of world richest people listing Kylie Jenner, the youngest Kardashian sister, as the new youngest billionaire in the world.
Recent Stories
Japan premier calls for nationwide closure of schools over coronavirus
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday urged schools nationwide to close for several weeks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, as authorities reported the country’s fourth death linked to the outbreak.
Protesters clash at APC secretariat
Newsmen learnt that the protesters, who had also gathered to protest against the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, turned on one another as they matched towards the secretariat.
Heat: Cross River, stakeholders proffer solutions, task parents
Dr Janet Ekpeyong, Director-General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) has advised parents to ensure their children are fully immunised against measles following the high temperature currently being experienced.
Pep Guardiola warns Manchester City after Real Madrid win
Pep Guardiola warned his Manchester City players that Real Madrid is more than capable of a Champions League fightback after a historic 2-1 last 16, first-leg win for the English champions at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alaafin: No incantation, climbing of prayer mountains can curb cancer
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi III, says no amount of spiritual incantation or use of concoctions can curb cancer.
Most Popular
Ekiti: Focus on rebuilding your non-performing government – Ayo Fayose tells APC
Former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has advised Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) to focus on building its non-performing government in the State rather than peddle false rumours.
Gunshots, tight security as Adams Oshiomhole visits Benin
The crisis in Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) continued on Saturday as several gunshots were fired at the Benin Airport to disperse some youths allegedly mobilised by suspected government agents to boo the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was in the state to attend the burial party of the mother of the former member that represented Ikpobha-Okha/Egor federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonanyinma.
Ini Umotong’s strike seals Brighton and Hove Albion’s historic FA Cup quarter-final berth
Ini Umotong scored the winner as Brighton and Hove Albion booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the English FA Cup following a 3-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.
Ibraheem El-Zakzaky’s trial resumes In Kaduna
A Kaduna State High Court on Monday resumed the trial of the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El- Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.
Court remands man for ‘stabbing bartender to death’
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, Lagos, on Friday ordered that a 53-year-old man, Dennis Azuonye, who allegedly stabbed a bartender to death , be remanded in custodial centre, pending legal advice.