Overall, we’re dealing with many of the same features that we’ve already seen with services like Spotify, Rdio, and Pandora, but Google has put its own spin and look into All Access. The Explore page is probably where most users will spend their time if they’re interested in discovering new artists. This section includes personal recommendations, featured artists and albums, as well as new releases.

As what may appear to be obvious, All Access is simply added on to the current Google Music app, so all the previous features of the app still remain. You even still have the ability to upload all of your own music the app and have it combined with the streaming music that you have picked out, creating one large library of music that includes a mix between the two. This is something that only Spotify has, and it’s a mighty-awesome feature to have.

All Access also has a Pandora-like feature where you can create radio stations of sorts based on a single artist or song. From there, you can give a song a thumbs up or thumbs down to make the app continuously learn about the music that you enjoy most. You also have the ability to rearrange future songs in the automated playlist in the radio station, as well as the ability to swipe away the songs you don’t want to listen to.

As for the user interface, nothing hasn’t changed too much. You get the typical Google look with an orange and white color theme. Frankly, I’m not a huge fan of the squared-off boxes and shapes that many Android apps have, but it certainly doesn’t hinder the music listening experience at all, and it’s something that I can easily get accustomed to.

One huge problem with All Access is cross-platform support. It is available on the web in any web browser, turning your laptop and desktop into its own DJ of sorts, but as far as mobile apps outside of Android, Google has yet to make that expansion. The great thing about Spotify is that it’s available on pretty much any platform, including iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. We’d be surprised if Google released their Music app for all of these platforms, so for users who yearn for cross-platform support, that seems to be where All Access’s weakness is.

As for price, All Access will cost $9.99 per month, but if you sign up before June 30, you’ll only play $7.99 per month. That price seems to be a permanent thing, so if you sign up before the end of June, you’ll only pay $7.99 for as long as you have an All Access subscription. Furthermore, All Access comes with a 30-day free trial, whether you sign up before June 30 or not.

Overall, Google Play Music All Access isn’t anything revolutionary, and we’re frankly a little disappointed that Google is simply getting their feet wet first before diving in. Of course, this is a smart move sometimes, but instead of boldly diving in and giving Spotify and Rdio a run for their money, Google is simply taking it easy to get a feel for the market, which could put them further behind in the music-streaming race.

The mobile app looks to have all of the same features that we’ve seen in music streaming subscription services in the past, including personalized recommendations, featured music, and the ability to create radio stations out of the music that you enjoy the most. This gets based on a certain artist or song, similar to how Pandora creates different stations.

While a song is playing, you also have the choices of giving it the thumbs up or thumbs down, as well as the ability to rearrange future songs in the automated playlist, as well as swiping away the songs you don’t want to listen to. Google says that All Access is a music player “without rules,” meaning that you can have be as interactive as you want, or just let it do it’s thing.

Basically, it’s nothing that we already haven’t seen before in Spotify, Pandora, or Rdio, but there are a few minor features that music enthusiasts may enjoy greatly. Plus, if you’re already deep into the Google ecosystem, this could be a great addition to your app collection. And like Spotify, you can upload your own music to the app and have it appear right along side all the other content. All Access will also be available as a web app for cross-platform enjoyment. As for price, you’re looking at $9.99/month for unlimited access.

A company called VOX One Labs has a new MP3 project on Kickstarter seeking the funding to come to market. The company has designed this MP3 player specifically for active users so it stays in place and usable no matter how strenuously you exercise. The MP3 player is called the ITreq and it’s designed to be compact and very lightweight.

The MP3 player rather reminds me of headsets worn by law enforcement officers or the military in that the MP3 player hangs behind the ear with an ear piece that plugs into the ear canal. The ITreq does have an extra 3.5 mm port allowing it to be worn as a stereo headset if desired. The device will come in white, black, or red and will support 4 GB microSD cards. The device will play any MP3 file that you put onto the little memory card.

Users will be able to carry multiple memory cards with them to have access to as many audio tracks if you want. Another nice feature of the audio player is that it has a high impact ABS shell along with medical grade silicone rubber ear hooks. That means it shouldn’t feel heavy behind the ear and can survive sweat and the elements.

The devices IP53 water resistant, but not waterproof. That means you can’t swim with it, but sweat or the occasional sprinkle of rain won’t destroy the player. The project is seeking $56,750, which is a strange amount. So far, the project has raised $6225 with 26 days to go. You will need to pledge at least $59 or more to get one of the ITreq MP3 players for yourself. The more money pledge up to $99, the more 4 GB memory card you receive with your purchase.

SOURCE: Kickstarter

B&O Play has announced two new sets of headphones that will be launching in July called the BeoPlay H3 and the BeoPlay H6. The company promises that both sets of headphones have incredible audio quality. The headphones are also made using premium materials including fullgrain leather and aluminum.

The company says that to provide the best possible audio experience it did extensive studies on the shape and curves of the human ear to find ideal geometries to minimize sound leakage and unveil all of the subtle details in the music you listen to. The H6 headphones feature 40 mm custom-designed drivers with neodymium magnets. These headphones also have an internal bass port for improved bass reproduction.

The H3 is a custom-designed 10.8 mm driver and has a new micro bass port. These headphones are slightly smaller than the H6 and should be a little more portable. The HD headphones will sell for $249 and the H6 headphones will sell for $399. The headphones will be available online and in Apple stores around the country in July.

[via BeoPlay]

The KMC 3 is a 2.1 speaker that offers AAC Bluetooth and apt-X, as well as two 2-inch full-range drivers accompanied by a 5.25-inch subwoofer, all of it pulling 130 watts of energy. The company boasts about the device’s bass offering, saying it is both deep and realistic. The device can be used while plugged in or in a portable fashion via 8 D-cell batteries with a reported playing time of 26 hours per charge.

There’s USB for simultaneous charging and connectivity, as well as a 3.5mm standard audio jack for mp3 players and other devices that don’t have Bluetooth. The speaker can “remember” a maximum of 8 devices, keeping track of the last 8 that were connected rather than holding a library of specific devices. There’s a remote for wireless control of the speaker. It is being offered in both black and white.

Klipsch’s CEO Paul Jacobs said: “This product launch is extremely important given its connection with our commitment to live music. With the KMC 3 representing our first Bluetooth speaker, we’re eager to diversify our future offerings in the wireless audio category and help change the way individuals share the listening experience with one another.”

[via Klipsch]

The drivers use materials such as a custom blended mylar, precision wound copper voice calls, and rare earth neodymium magnets. The ear cup cushions are made from viscoelastic memory foam covered in real leather. A microphone is integrated into the headphones allowing for voice control of compatible devices.

The integrated microphone also means that you can use the headphones to send and receive phone calls. Scosche built-in controls free music including volume, play/pause, and track control. The internal battery for the headphones promises eight hours of play and 1000 hours on standby.

It takes 2 to 3 hours to completely charge the internal battery. The headphones have a 33-foot wireless range. The headphones support A2DP, AVRCP, and HFP BT. If you like the idea of these headphones, they are available right now for $199.99.

[via Scosche]

The portable speaker is designed to be very compact and lightweight yet provide big sound. The physically small device measures 24 x 10.5 x 5.1 cm, yet produces 40 W of power using three digital amplifiers. Inside the small enclosure are three individual speakers.

The three speakers allow the device to provide 2.1 stereo sound across the frequency range. The speaker system has two combined midrange driver/tweeters each getting 10 W of power and a subwoofer that gets 20 W of power. The woofer also benefits from enhanced bass thanks to a space-saving bass reflex tube.

Another interesting feature of the portable speaker is that it has an integrated voice optimized microphone to allow the Speaker 2go to act as a hands-free speakerphone on the go. The speaker has an aluminum frame making it more rugged than some plastic offerings on the market. Wireless range of Bluetooth speaker is 10 m and has a 3.5 mm stereo jack. You can also charge devices directly from the speaker using its built-in USB port. The speaker will launch in June for £269.

[via Loewe]

Pyle is an audio brand that has been around for a long time and the company has announced a new Bluetooth receiver specifically designed to connect to iPod docks and turn them into wireless speakers. The Bluetooth receiver is called the Pyle Home PBTR70. One of the more interesting things about this Bluetooth receiver is that it makes your previously Apple only speaker docks universal.

It uses Bluetooth technology supporting anything including your iPhone, BlackBerry devices, Android devices, and more. It also has a 3.5 mm audio input for devices that lack Bluetooth connectivity. The wireless adapter promises a range of 33 feet and should give you plenty of distance for streaming your music all around the room or office.

The adapter measures 2.15 a 2.15 x 0.45-inches. The PBTR70 is available to order right now for $66.99. This is an interesting and decently priced product to help you get more use out of your obsolete speaker docks.

[via Pyle Audio]

Vertus offers two Bluetooth receivers that support streaming music to both receivers at the same time from a single device. The Vertus receivers use CSR TrueWireless Stereo technology. The kit ships with a left receiver and a right receiver that plug into any speaker featuring a 3.5 mm headphone port.

The people behind the project say that once you plug in both receivers and pair them with the smartphone, you can enjoy stereo sound from two separate speakers at the same time. You can also use the two separate speakers to bring audio to different areas a large room or outdoor space. Another interesting feature of the Vertus Bluetooth receivers is that they don’t need ports for power.

Both of the Bluetooth receivers plug into an included charging station for recharging. The charging station itself gets power from a micro USB port. The wireless range for the system is 30 feet and battery life is promised be 10 hours. The project is seeking $40,000 with 27 days to go and so far, it’s raised over $8800. A pledge of $79 or more will get you your own set of Vertus Bluetooth receivers.

[via Kickstarter]

The three choices that you have to pick from are “The Power Trip,” Navy Seal autobiography “American Sniper,” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” which is narrated by actor Jake Gyllenhaal and will also be hitting theaters here shortly. All three of these books seem to be really popular, especially “The Great Gatsby,” so be sure to take advantage of the offer while you have it.

Howevever, there is some fine print to be aware of. Only new Audible registrants will be able to get a free audiobook, and you’ll have to register for a new account through the Windows 8 or Windows Phone app on your computer or smartphone. It’s also only available in the US and you have until May 13 to snatch up your free copy.

While this may be an enticing offer for some users, especially the book lovers out there, we’re not so sure that this promotion alone will be enough to get people to try out Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8. It’s certainly a good deal for those who already are on one of these platforms, but we can’t see others really going for it. Either way, if you’re yearning for a free audiobook, now’s your chance.

The H820e is designed for unified communications and PC-based soft-phones. It has a noise-cancelling microphone, acoustic echo cancellation, and DSP (digital signal processing). It also features an in-call LED indicator located at the back of the microphone that will warn others if you’re in a voice call. There are volume control buttons located on both sides of the headset that will allow users to easily adjust their volume in-call.

The Logitech Wireless Headset H820e is optimized for Microsoft Lync, as well as other platforms, such as Cisco’s networking apps. The H820e has a wireless range of 300 feet, and can fend off interference from WiFi signals. Users can adjust the wide band/narrow band switch so that they can choose what audio quality and density is right for them. Eric Kintz, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Logitech for Business, issued a statement saying,

“We’re looking to change the attitude that wireless headsets in the enterprise are an afterthought or a perk. Premium audio quality is essential in today’s anywhere workplace, where employees are connecting with each other in open spaces, from the road and from home, and people can do more when they aren’t tethered to their desks. Wireless headsets are rapidly becoming the ‘new normal’ for maximizing audio and video collaboration.”

The Logitech Wireless Headset H820e will come in two models. The ‘Mono’ model will be available for $179.99, while the ‘Dual’ model will be available for $199.99. The headsets will become available in May. According to a survey, many companies are switching from the traditional desk phone to headsets. To take advantage of this market trend, Logitech plans on releasing many more of these enterprise-grade wireless accessories.

The track eclipsed records in both the US and the UK. In the UK, the record was previously held by the track Pompeii by Bastille. In the US the record was previously held by Macklemore’s Thrift Shop. The Daft Punk track also surpassed Justin Timberlake’s first-day numbers for his track called Pusher Love Girl.

Get Lucky is the first single from the coming Daft Punk album Random Access Memories. That album is the duo’s first in eight years. The track also topped the iTunes charts when it was released.

It’s unclear exactly how many times the new track was streamed on Spotify. If you’re a fan of Daft Punk, you can check out the official video for the song below. Vocalist on this particular track is Pharrell Williams.

[via Entertainment Wise]

Computer peripheral maker Gigabyte has now announced what it claims to be the world’s first USB 3.0 speakers. The speakers are called the Gigabyte GP-S3000. The speakers get the connectivity they need to play music and audio from your computer via USB 3.0 port, and they also get power from the USB port as well.

One of the biggest benefits to plugging a pair speakers into a USB 3.0 port compared to a USB 2.0 port is the amount of power available. The USB 3.0 port offers up to 900mA of power, which means speakers with bigger amplifiers for bigger sound can be connected and draw power from the USB 3.0 port. The speakers aren’t officially available yet, so Gigabyte is withholding some the specifications.

The speakers are expected to be high-end offerings and they do have all the controls needed on one speaker housing. The speakers will come with a black housing or white housing. Other key details we don’t know at this point are when the speakers will be released and how much they will cost.

[via EverythingUSB]

This wireless speaker has nice features and a nice price tag. It’s available on Amazon.com right now for $39.99. The device is designed to stream music from any Bluetooth device and is compact enough to take with you just about anywhere. It measures 8 inches wide by 3 inches high and has an integrated class-D amplifier.

The internal rechargeable battery promises up to five hours of continuous use per charge when streaming Bluetooth audio. The device also features a 3.5 mm cable allowing you to plug-in any music device that doesn’t support Bluetooth. The wireless speaker has a passive subwoofer and special suspension cone drivers to provide quality sound without adding the bulk or weight of traditional speakers.

The BTX350 has a full range of controls on top allowing you to control the volume and playlist of your device remotely. There’s also a button on top to control the bass boost feature. One nice feature of this portable speaker is an interchangeable battery pack allowing you to pack spare batteries so you can continue listening past the single battery’s five hour window of operation. It’s unclear at this time exactly how much extra batteries cost.

[via Kinivo]

The Wireless Speaker System is a 2.1 channel speaker system that has integrated subwoofer and supports Surround Sound playback. The speaker system supports wireless music streaming via Bluetooth. It also has an integrated 3-5/32 inch subwoofer for better bass reproduction. While the slot in the top of the wireless speaker system is designed for tablets, the wireless music streaming system supports playback from any Bluetooth device.

That slot in the top of the device is designed to allow you to prop your tablet in portrait or landscape mode. The wireless speaker system does not charge any brand or make of tablet. Panasonic equips the music system with Near Field Stereo Sound.

That feature is designed to allow for optimal sound quality even when listening close-up. That means you can place this music system on your desk and still get the best sound clarity possible even if you’re only a few feet away from the speakers. The wireless music system has 21 W of total power and it does feature a USB slot to allow you to charge your tablet or other device using the factory charging cable.

[via Panasonic]

Meridian says that the DSP520 is built to offer the best performance possible out of a loudspeaker, with the drivers mounted into the front extrusion of the speaker enclosure. There’s also a separate case that houses the electronics and amplifiers for the speaker. The speaker can be mounted either vertically (pictured above) or horizontally.

The new speaker model can also be paired with other Meridian speakers as well, including other DSP in-wall models like the DSP640 loudspeaker and the DSW500 subwoofer. It can also be paired with any of Meridians freestanding speaker options. What perhaps most impressive is that the DSP520 is just 7.8 inches thick, meaning that it’ll fit into any wall nicely without too much of a problem.

However, these speakers don’t come cheap. You’ll be laying down a whopping $5,000 per speaker, which can certainly add up if you’re planning multi-speaker setups in your living room. However, it’s not everyday when you come across a speaker that’s made for being mounted inside walls. Of course you could DIY a method to stuff a normal speaker into a wall, but we digress.

The Twitter music service we’re seeing here has been given a bit of a viral push by the likes of Ryan Seacrest earlier this week out in the open in a rather obvious bid for some pre-release chatter. You’ll find Zynga to have used this same fellow for some Draw Something 2 stoking as well, just under a month ago – the time is nigh!

This weekend the Coachella music festival begins, and with it, we’ll be seeing Twitter launch this iOS music app – and discovery is at its core. You’ll quite likely be able to access the app itself in the next week if not this weekend and the iPhone 5/4S/4 will be first up to gain access. It’s also quite possible that this launch will be available in web browsers as well – everyone join in on the fun!

In the gallery above you’ll see several music celebrities or otherwise famous people tweeting about what they’re still calling “Twitter Music”. You’ll also find Stephen Philips – part of We Are Hunted – tweeting a few bits of music playable through Twitter itself. While this isn’t unheard of in the past, we must assume that Twitter will integrate such abilities in the near future for use by anyone working with Twitter only – or perhaps a Rdio account will be required. We shall see!

SuperTooth has announced that it is now shipping the Disco Twin speakers for $199. That much money will get you a pair of speakers, with one being the left channel and one being the right channel to provide stereo sound. You can get stereo sound in some Bluetooth speaker bars, but if you want more separation between the channels, the Disco Twin is the way to go.

The Disco Twin speakers have 16 W RMS of audio power per speaker. That means that combined the wireless speakers have 32 W of power. When we went hands-on with the Disco Twin speakers back during CES, they had plenty of power to provide clear audio even in a very noisy and crowded space.

The speakers support any Bluetooth device and SuperTooth says that you have to pair your device to each speaker. The speakers have enough battery power for 3 to 4 hours of maximum volume music playback. If you listen at more moderate levels, the manufacturer says the rechargeable battery will last for up to 10 hours.

[via SuperTooth]

Target says that the headphones will be available at select retail stores in its chain, but they will be available at Target.com. The headphones were specifically designed with Latin music in mind and promise to capture the “rich, percussive nature of the music.” The headphones will be available in two different styles.

The more expensive over-ear design will have plush ear cushions providing noise isolation and comfort for $249.99. A cheaper on-ear design will be available for $149.99. The on-ear versions will be designed for lightweight comfort and will have controls for the user’s phone and music built-in.

The over-ear headphones have swiveling ear cups and advanced deep bass technology. The over-ear version will also sport a cable with an in-line microphone and controls for smartphone music. The frequency response for both headphone styles is 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Target has the exclusive for 60 days and then the headphones will rollout to additional retailers.

[via Monster]

The wireless Bluetooth speaker is specifically designed to fit into a water bottle holder on a bicycle. The speaker is covered in a durable nonslip shock absorbing TPU coating. The coating helps the speaker survive drops and vibrations from rough terrain while riding a bike.

The wireless speaker is IP4X rated for weatherproof construction allowing it to survive rain, water, and sweat. The speaker grills are also dustproof. The device uses dual 40 mm drivers promising rich and clear audio with amplified acoustics for loud environments. Each of the speakers uses an omnidirectional diffuser providing music in all directions for 360-degrees of sound.

Scosche promises deep bass from the boomBOTTLE thanks to a large passive subwoofer housed in a tuned and ported enclosure. The device will work with any smartphone or other device featuring Bluetooth and has a range of 33 feet. Rubberized buttons on the wireless speaker allow you to skip tracks and adjust volume. The internal rechargeable battery is good for up to 10 hours of continuous playback per charge. The gray version of the speaker is available right now for $149.99. Green, yellow, pink, and blue versions will be available online in May.

[via Scosche]

THe FS1 Air has a very compact design, meaning its designed to fit into any area in your home or in your office. It has Class HD Technology, an amplifier that delivers high power density and high efficiency, combined with a Digital Signal Processor, which controls the equalization and crossover of your music, to create the best performance possible and best tone quality for your music.

Of course, if you don’t want to wirelessly stream your music to the Scuderia FS1, you can always plug your music device in via the 3.5mm jack available on the device, or dock your iOS devices on the 30-pin connector. The Scuderia FS1 Air Speaker Dock was inspired by the Scuderia Ferrari racing team, as well as the Ferrari itself. You can tell by the speaker’s beautiful curves, black and red color scheme, and the quality of music the device can produce.

Ashvin Patel, CEO of Logic3, says, “We designed the FS1 Air to offer a sophisticated solution that provides a crisp and powerful audio experience.” We first heard about the Scuderia FS1 Air Speaker Dock way back at CES this year. Previously, we expected the device to cost about $549.00, however, the price has been confirmed to be $649.00. It’s quite expensive for an audio dock, but it’s something audiophiles will want to have in their collection.

iHome has announced a new Bluetooth music playback device called the iBT4. The device is a Bluetooth wireless rechargeable boombox that has an integrated FM radio receiver. The Bluetooth connectivity supports just about any Bluetooth enabled device out there including the iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and more.

The Bluetooth connectivity should have the typical wireless range of 33 feet. The audio device has Reson8 speaker chambers designed for clarity, depth, and power in your music playback. Power comes from an internal lithium-ion battery pack that’s good for up to seven hours of use per charge.

If you get tired of listening to your own music, the device also has a telescoping antenna and a built-in FM radio tuner. The Bluetooth boombox also ships with an AC adapter allowing you to plug in the wall when an outlet is available for continuous listening. The Bluetooth stereo system will support devices that don’t have integrated Bluetooth via a 3.5 mm input port. The iBT4 is available in black, purple, or green for $99.99.

[via iHome]

Pandora shared even more statistics as well, boasting that users stream 1.5 billion hours of music every single month, and the service streams 200 million songs before 10 AM every day, proving that Pandora is a vital part of commuting to work in the mornings. Furthermore, listeners have personalized their stations with more than 25 billion “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” ratings.

Last month alone, Pandora played over 100,000 unique artists and more than 1 million unique songs, and mobile usage of the Pandora app is on the rise, with more than 140 million listeners having used Pandora on a mobile device. Streaming music on a smartphone or tablet is becoming more and more popular, so we can only guess that number will keep rising in the future.

Pandora announced last month that monthly listener hours were just below 1.5 billion, so more users are listening to more music through Pandora — that’s an increase of 40% from 1.07 billion during the same time last year, proving that music streaming is becoming more popular, and people are using Pandora to do it.

The Boost Color FX feature allows the user to change the parameter of the effect by varying the rotation speed of the integrated controller knob. The faster the knob is turned, the more the selected effect is intensified. The knob can work with any of the integrated mixer effects including effects such as filter, crush, noise, and jet.

The Sound Color FX feature also offers the same four effects providing more creative mixing options. Pioneer says that users can switch between Sound Color FX and Boost Color FX to match the music playing. The mixer also has a Beat Effect feature with 13 different types of effects that can be combined with both the Boost Color FX and Sound Color FX to create over 100 types of effects.

The DJ mixer features a 24-bit/96 kHz high-performance USB soundcard inside. That USB soundcard supports simultaneous input and output of stereo signals from up to four inputs and outputs. The mixer also has a 32-bit digital sound processor and send/return circuit parts combined with a low-jitter crystal oscillator for precise audio signals an accurate audio reproduction. The DJ mixer will be available in black or silver with both landing in June for $1199.

[via Pioneer Electronics]

Three out of the five new headphones (HA-MR77X/HA-MR55X/HA-SR44X) include a one-button remote and a microphone that works with iPhone, as well as Android and BlackBerry devices. The remote allows users to play, stop, and skip music tracks, as well as answer and hang-up phone calls. The remote and the microphone are built inline with the headphone’s cord.

The two remaining models — the HA-M55X and HA-S44X — come without the remote and microphone, but they deliver comparable audio quality to the other three models. Besides the built-in remote and microphone, there’s not a lot of differences design-wise between the five pairs of headphones, although each pair includes a different driver for different audio needs.

The HA-S44X and HA-SR44X are priced at $30 and $40, respectively, and both come with a 1.57” (40mm) driver. The HA-M55X and HA-MR55X are priced at $50 and $60, respectively and come with a 1.97” (50mm) driver. The HA-MR77X cost $100 and include a 2.24” (57mm) driver. JVC claims these headphones are focused on getting the best bass sound possible, and if you want in on these new cans, they’re available now.

These headphones are a large set of DJ-styled units with over the ear cups and special REX40 drivers. The headphones also use a Sensation55 driver for deeper bass. The headphones are offered in white, black, and red colors for $99.95.

Another feature designed specifically to improve audio quality is special acoustical porting on the ear cups to help increase bass reproduction and reduce distortion. The headphones are designed to fold up to make them more portable for on the go use. The headphones also feature built-in amplifier powered by AA batteries and have a separate adjustable bass controller.

Skullcandy also fits the headphones with a special automatic on/off smart circuit that turns off the amplifier when you turn off your music. The ear pillows are made with a soft touch synthetic leather for long wearing comfort. The headphone cable is a standard 3.5 mm unit and it also has an in-line remote and mic for making phone calls.

[via Skullcandy]

Customers around the world who already own the BeoSound 5 will be given access to Spotify features via a free software update can be downloaded online. The BeoSound 5 previously offered access to the owner’s own digital music collection as well as 14,000 Internet radio stations. With the new streaming music service added to the mix, users will be able to import their Spotify playlists directly to the device.

The BeoSound 5 is designed to allow the user to access and command all of the music no matter where stored from a single interface. The device can connect to a range of sources including network attached storage, Apple AirPlay devices, DLNA devices, Bluetooth, and other locations. The device has a large LCD screen and a scroll wheel making it easy to find the music you want to listen to.

The device supports the playback of multiple file formats including WMA and FLAC lossless as well as MP3s. The device has enough onboard storage for about 175,000 tracks or 10,000 CDs. Anything that carries the Bang & Olufsen brand is a high-end product and the BeoSound 5 is no exception. The device has an MSRP of $6324. Users will also need a Spotify Premium membership to enjoy the new feature.

[via Bang & Olufsen]

Just like with CDs, the offer applies to vinyls that you’ve bought from the website since 1998 (how many people were really using the internet to buy vinyl records back then?), and any customers who purchases a vinyl record that is eligible for an AutoRip MP3 version in the future will receive a digital copy that will be automatically added to the user’s Cloud Player library.

Just like with CDs, AutoRip only supports a certain number of vinyl records. In other words, it only goes as high as Amazon’s current catalog of MP3 music that they have available. The company currently boasts 50,000 tracks and counting that are eligible on Amazon’s AutoRip, all of which come with 256kbps quality.

Sales of vinyl records have been making a comeback as of late. They were obviously a popular format back in the 1970s, but many audiophiles argue that vinyl records offer a better quality sound than CDs and even high-bitrate MP3s, thus marking the rise in popularity. Many modern musicians and bands still release their albums in vinyl record format to this day.

The device is designed to play music from CDs, download a digital track, online content, Internet radio, and supports your home entertainment content as well. The device will make sound from your movies, video games, or TV sound better. The Sneaky DSM is designed for you to connect your pair of speakers directly to it and then connect the device to your home network.

The audio streaming devices designed to work in conjunction with an application that runs on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop allowing you digital content to be accessed and controlled from your smart device. The streaming box has a built-in Ethernet port, RCA analog phono input, one S/PDIF RCA phono input, three HDMI inputs, and a single TOSLINK input.

Audio output can be via one of the three HDMI ports or two high quality four-pole Neutrik Speakon speaker connections. The device supports the audio format you prefer including FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, MP3, WMA (except lossless), AIFF, AAC, and OOG. The device has two channels with 33 W of power in stereo or four channels with 33 W of power when bi-amped. The Sneaky DSM is available in black, silver, or white for £1,750.

[via LINN]

The DR-60D is a relatively compact device that runs off of four AA batteries and supports SD and SDHC cards, offering 96kHz / 24-bit audio recording and USB file transfer from the 4-track solid-state system to a computer. Audio can be recorded in both BWF and WAV formats using either Auto Rec or Dual Rec mode, depending on the project. The unit is designed to fit beneath a DSLR unit, but can also be implemented into a recording rig.

The DR-60D boasts two quarter-inch XLR Locking Combo Mic/Line inputs (+48V Phantom Power), a standard 3.5mm stereo mic line-in port, camera in/out, line out, and headphone out. There’s a self-timer, file divide, up to CH3-4 monitor selector, +24dBu input, low cut filter, peak limiter, input delay, and MS decode, among other features, all tailored to the needs of both amateurs and pros.

As for manual control, the body itself was designed to avoid introducing unnecessary noise from handling into the audio; this includes the use of its soft buttons and its dials. Tascam hails its user interface system as being easy to use, with intuitive controls and multiple recording modes, including an automatic mode and its popular Safety Track mode.

[via Tascam]

Each of these monoliths will have a TV screen of its own, each of them facing the center of a large circle where visitors will be able to drown themselves in this immersive experience. Each of these bugs was created by filmmaker Tom Kuntz and The Mill LA, each of them coming at you from their own position in the circle of wild action with no less than a soundtrack made of the “exuberant loops” of electronic musician Dan Deacon.

For those of you that’d like to know more about the PLAYBAR that blasts each of these bugs to life with audio so real you’ll freak, have a peek at our full Sonos PLAYBAR Review from earlier this month. At the opening for the show (on April 4th), there’ll be a live performance by Dan Deacon as he collaborates with the Bugs right in front of your face!

Each of the Bugs uses not only a Sonos PLAYBAR, but a BrightSign digital media player as well. Each of the six characters will be performing simultaneously while visitors to the show are doused in what Sonos and The Mill LA describe as “an intense audile and visual experience, demonstrating the supremely immersive energy of the combined senses.”

If you’re a member of the public – and we know you are – you’ll want to head over to Sonos Studio starting on April 5th at any time between 10AM and 6PM. That’s Sonos Studio at 145 North La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 – you can’t miss it! Also stay tuned to SlashGear’s Entertainment tag portal for more excellence from The Mill LA – we’ve got some hot action in store for you!

The Bluetooth speaker is called the Lyrix Duo and what sets this portable speaker apart from the typical offerings out there is that it has a removable Bluetooth receiver. The Bluetooth receiver plugs into the speaker using what appears to be an embedded USB port. Users can easily remove the Bluetooth receiver by simply grabbing its edge and pulling it out.

Once the Bluetooth receiver is removed from the speaker itself, it can be carried around and used in conjunction with home theater or stereo speakers and headphones using included auxiliary cables. That means you can buy this portable speaker and then when you’re at home you can use Bluetooth receiver to shoot music from your smartphone to your home stereo. The portable speaker itself has an output of 3 W.

The internal rechargeable battery is good for up to four hours. The speaker has a suction cup similar to a GPS device on the bottom allowing users to attach the speaker to just about any flat surface. The speaker can be attached to the wall by your desk or to the window of your car. The wireless range is up to 33 feet and the frequency response is 20 Hz-20 kHz. Digital Treasures is offering the Lyrix Duo in red or blue for $49.99.

[via Digital Treasures]

The Q3 sells for $99 and allows iPhone users to have Siri functionality using the Bluetooth headset. Using the Q3 and Siri, iPhone users will be able to compose text messages using their voice by double tapping the command button. The headset also supports Android users allowing access Google Voice Actions with a double tap of the command button.

The headset features Voice Isolation Technology to help reduce external noise and wind noise for higher-quality calls, even in noisy environments. The headset also features Wind Armor Technology allowing for clear communication with wind speeds of up to 22 mph. BlueAnt also fits the device with dual microphones and advanced DSP technology.

Other features include support for streaming audio allowing drivers to listen to music, podcasts, or spoken directions from GPS applications. The earpiece will also announced the name of incoming callers and has answer and ignore commands for handling calls from the headset. The headset also offers a battery meter on the screen of the iPhone so you know how much power is left inside the headset. The device also supports connectivity to two phones at one time.

[via BlueAnt]

With the KP3+ Dynamic Effect/Sampler you’ll be using touchpad controls to activate a barrage of effects programs – over 150 of them right here in one little monster. These programs include the original KP3 effects, 22 all-new effects programs, and a collection of sounds and features in-between that’ll knock you out. You’ll find user-favorited selections in filters, decimators, echoes and more from Korg products that are on the market right now, as well: the Kaoss Pad Quad and Mini Kaoss Pad 2 have been particularly inspirational.

Using the KP3+ you’ll be blasting with high resolution sampling from sources galore – mic and line inputs are yours to craft with. You can save multiple bands of samples to SD card (with the integrated SD card slot) or transferred to your PC with this machine’s USB port – you’ll also have a MIDI controller able to transmit three controller signals from one touchpad, data from the slider, and more – this beast will run you $349.99 and will be available starting in April, 2013.

With the Kaossilator Pro+ you’ll be rocking with 250 sounds with such excellent bits and pieces as synth leads, enhanced drum sounds, and effects galore – all highly controllable and pattern-ready. You’ll be working with updated drum PCM from Korg’s own Wavedrum percussion synth, and you’ll be encouraged to either work in one of the following genres or create your own (of course!): hip-hop, chiptune, house, dubstep, new disco, electro, reggaeton, and drum ‘n’ bass.

The Kaossilator Pro+ has the ability to record performances that are four tracks deep, each of them placed on a Loop Recorder Bank and overdubbed one at a time. Loop phrases coming correct, you’ll go wild with line inputs and a mic input as well for recording external audio sources on the fly – and you’ll be doing all of this for $399.99 USD starting in April of 2013 – same time as the KP3+ – as well.

The headset is up for pre-order right now for $89.90. The battery that powers the headphones is a rechargeable 850 mAh lithium polymer battery good for 30 hours of audio playback. The wireless headset promises deep bass and the ability to highlight details in your music that you never knew existed.

The large battery needs under three hours to fully charge and connectivity is via Bluetooth version 2.1. The headset also has an integrated microphone allowing you to make and receive phone calls with your Bluetooth device. The headset will automatically pause the music when a phone call comes in and resume playback when you end the call.

Controls for audio playback and phone calls are located on one of the ear cups for easy access. The headset has 40 mm drivers and frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz. The large battery has a standby time of 300 hours and the headset weighs 142 g. The headset does ship with a carrying pouch and will connect to any Bluetooth enabled device including smartphones, tablets, and computer systems.

[via Arctic]

The audio message will be preserved as part of the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress, and will sit alongside other classic audio recordings, such as Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence,” and Chubby Checker’s “The Twist,” which are some of the most popular pieces of music within the last several decades.

Eisenhower’s message is one out of the 25 recordings selected for induction into the National Recording Registry in 2012. Other recordings include “Saturday Night Fever” from The Bee Gees and “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto, No. 1.” by Van Cliburn. These pieces were chosen based on their “cultural, artistic, and historic importance and relevance to the aural legacy of the United States.”

While Project SCORE was the world’s first communications satellite in space, it wasn’t the first-ever satellite to make it to space. The world’s first-ever satellite in space was famously the Sputnik 1, which was launched on October 4, 1957, with the US’s first satellite being the Explorer 1, which launched on January 31, 1958.

[via collectSPACE]

The app now has more of an internet radio feel, similar to Pandora or Spotify, only it’s catered toward podcasts. The app now comes with the ability to create custom stations where you can add your favorite podcasts, and the stations will update automatically when a new podcast is available.

You can also create playlists consisting of multiple episodes from different podcast series, and with the iCloud integration, your playlists and custom stations will stay synced and up-to-date on all of your Apple devices. Even playlists synced from iTunes will now appear in the Podcasts app, making it way more convenient to listen to all your podcasts.

The app also got a slight redesign, including the Playing Now screen, where the control buttons are easier to use and the scrubber is a lot more responsive thanks to the new look. On top of all these new features, Apple also included the usual bugfixes and some general performance enhancements. Podcasts is a free download, and the update is available now in the iTunes App Store.

Toshiba says that the new line of products features a “new design identity,” which includes rounded corners, brushed metal, gloss finishes, and a minimalist aesthetic that makes the new products simple and easy to use. Toshiba says that the new design for its 2013 products will go right along with any modern and contemporary look in a home.

The new 9-series Ultra HD range comes in flavors of 84-inch, 65-inch, and 58-inch screen sizes. Also in the new lineup are 4-series, 6-series, and 7-series lines of new televisions. The 4- and 6-series are the companies new entry models for 2013, which are basic smart TV models that come in either 32-inch or 50-inch screen sizes.

The 7-series is a new line of 3D-enabled smart TVs that come in 40-inch, 50-inch, and 58-inch flavors. As for the new Cloud TV platform, there’s not a lot of information about it at this point, but it’ll essentially be a service that includes a handful of apps, as well as the ability to share content between multiple devices in the home.

Toshiba also announced three new Blu-ray players, all of which look more or less the same design-wise, but are slightly different from one another. They feature built-in WiFi, 3D playback support, smart TV functionality, including access to YouTube, Netflix, etc., and the design of the new players compliments the new range of televisions nicely as well. No details on pricing or availability, but we should be seeing these new products on the market very soon.

The Z2 will come in black or white finishes and has a design that promises to fit almost anywhere in your home or office. Since the device has a Lighting connector, users can dock the iPhone 5 as well as other iPhone and iPad models. The music system features Bowers & Wilkins proprietary Flowport technology for tight, controlled bass performance.

The updated Zeppelin Air now has a Lightning connector to support the iPhone 5. It seems the only change in the updated Zeppelin Air and previous models comes in the addition of that iPhone 5 Lighting connector. The audio device does still support other iPhone, iPod, and iPad models.

Bowers & Wilkins will offer the new Z2 in black starting in April within the UK for £329.99. The white Z2 will launch in June carrying the same price tag. The updated Zeppelin Air will also launch in June with a retail price of £499.99.

[via Bowers & Wilkins]

With the app installed, the smartphone is able to do things such as change tracks, optimize sound performance, adjust bass and treble settings, and operate the balance and fader controls. The application also allows users to switch between available sources for media. The app will also allow you to change the station on your radio.

The wireless range for the car receiver and the application is 33 feet. The car stereo also has an integrated microphone allowing users to make hands-free calls. The receiver has 30 programmable presets for storing your favorite radio stations and has an integrated CD player.

The CD player supports standard music CDs and CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CD playback. The controlFREQ is available right now online directly from Scosche for $139.99. The app is available for download at no cost via the App Store and Google Play.

[via Scosche]