Billboard 200, the record chart that ranks the 200 most popular music albums in the US, will start factoring in the number of times a video has been streamed on YouTube and other music streaming services, Billboard has announced. The change will take place on January 3, after which point the new data will have an effect on the Billboard 200 chart's rankings.
Google Podcasts, the company's lackluster audio app, has added another feature that brings it closer to competing with the market's existing dominant products. Users have recently noticed the arrival of a new 'Recommended' tab that shows users personalized content recommendations based on their past listening habits. Users can directly access and play specific episode recommendations from this new tab.
Apple is preparing to launch a new Powerbeats4 model of wireless earbuds, at least based on a discovery found in the recently released iOS 13.3. The Powerbeats 4 would be the next iteration in the line following the Powerbeats3 model, which Apple currently sells for $199.99 USD. Based on the iOS 13.3 discovery, the Powerbeats4 will probably feature Apple's H1 proprietary chip.
Analogue has teamed with electronic music record label Hyperdub to offer music on a unique medium: game cartridges. Specifically, Analogue is producing 1,000 units of music-packed Sega Genesis cartridges that feature a total of 11 songs composed by various Hyperdub artists specifically for the new collaboration. Each cartridge will come with a substantial price tag.
Spotify has finally given iOS users access to a nifty feature that first arrived on Android earlier this year. With the new Sleep Timer function, users can choose how long music will play before automatically turning off. The feature solves a common annoyance involving listening to music at night, one often responsible for disrupted sleep and grumpiness the next day.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has published its newest 'On A Mission' podcast episode, one titled 'Planet Asteroid' that details two large asteroids called Ceres and Vesta, as well as the tiny planet Pluto (and the debate surrounding it), and more. As with NASA's other podcast shows, 'On A Mission' episodes are free to download across a variety of services, plus NASA provides a transcript of the episode.
This afternoon Microsoft Chief Product officer Panos Panay announced a release delay for Surface Earbuds. Earlier this year, Microsoft's Surface Earbuds weren't given a definite release date - but were generally assumed to be coming to market by the end of 2020. As it turns out, and confirmed this afternoon, these earbuds needed a little more work than originally expected.
Only days after the same support arrived on Sonos speakers, Spotify has announced that its Free service is now accessible through Amazon's Alexa personal assistant. This marks the first time users have been able to access the free version of the service using Alexa, including on smart speakers and the Fire TV platform. The move follows Amazon's recent expansion of its own free music availability.
If you're looking to sign up for Deezer's HiFi lossless audio plan but you don't want to be shackled to your computer or forced to use a compatible speaker, the company has good news: support for mobile devices has arrived. As of now, Deezer HiFi customers can access the lossless audio library on their Android or iOS device; there's also new support on Web browsers.
Spotify has launched a new feature that makes it easy for users to generate playlists for their upcoming road trips. Called 'Soundtrack your Ride,' the new tool taps Google Maps to power a route-based music playlist long enough to cover the entire distance. Spotify pairs the map tool with a small quiz that'll help ensure the user gets the type of music they'll enjoy.
Nearly one year ago, music streaming service Pandora launched podcasts on its platform, but they were only available through its mobile apps. That has finally changed with the arrival of podcasts on its desktop app for Windows and Mac, as well as the Pandora.com website. With this change, users can easily access podcasts while working on their laptop, streamlining their activities.
High-end audio company V-MODA has launched M-200, its new pair of studio headphones. The model packs an over-ear design and a level of quality that'll appeal to audiophiles and anyone who works with audio at the professional level. The M-200 packs 50mm drivers and what the company calls 'clear and neutral' audio quality that makes it easy to pick out the smallest sounds.