Posts Tagged ‘Music’
Rdio Launches in the UK – Spotify Finally Gets Some Competition
Here in the UK Spotify has had the music streaming business all to itself but that is all about to change with the UK launch of Rdio.
An already established service in the states has silently entered the market here and overnight with the app suddenly appearing and letting us start a 7 day trial, which I have signed up for. At £9.99 a month (the same as Spotify) for unlimited streaming and use on mobile the deciding factor for which service to spend your hard earned cash on is going to come down to the volume of artists available.
From an initial test I’m siding with Spotify so far. I have found that Rdio has a lot of albums that aren’t available to us. I am putting that down to the fact that it has just launched and is waiting on licensing to kick in. App wise Spotify gets the win for Mac and Rdio for their iOS. Let’s hope they give us some updates soon though to make it a little more user friendly and less buggy. Coincidently I saw that Spotify launched their student offer, where if you have an NUS card you get their unlimited streaming service for just £4.99! – good timing eh.
Let the battle commence.
Spotify Launches iPad App – First Impressions
Since the music streaming service Spotify launched I’ve been a big fan of their premium membership allowing me to use it on my iOS devices, but it’s been really annoying me that there wasn’t an iPad app – until now.
Yes at last today we’ve seen the official launch and it’s now available to download in the App Store.
Read on for my first impressions.
Review: iHome iW2 Airplay Enabled Speaker
Buying me a gift isn’t exactly easy. If you’re like me you probably hear this from your loved ones often too as well. So when my wife surprised me this past Christmas with an iHome iW1Airplay speaker I was super excited. The company’s flagship Airplay speaker was something I’d wanted but never treated myself to. Since setting it up I’ve used it a ton both in and around my home. I love being able to simply tap a few times on my iPhone to have my tunes instantly streaming throughout my house.
When iHome announced further additions to the iW line up at CES 2012 I was pretty psyched too. After you come to rely so heavily on a product hearing that other models are going to be added to the line can only mean more exciting products to check out.
iHome was recently kind enough to send along the newest addition to the iW line, the iW2. The iW2 is best described as the little brother to the iW1. In addition to streaming music from a variety of sources the iW2 can also act as a stand alone charger for your iOS device too.
Read on for my full review.
iTunes Match: Set Up and My Thoughts
Until recently I was a subscriber to Spotify but in an effort to save some money and use my existing iTunes collection so I thought I would give Match a try.
Read on to find out how I got on.
Zooka Speaker Brings Dynamic Sound to iPad in Cool New Design
For $25 you get a a poster and a promo code for a discount on a future Zooka. For $249 you get the glow-in-the-dark Zooka and a ticket to the Zooka launch party in Portland, Oregon.
For $349 you can attend the launch part as a VIP. For $25 you will get 3 Zookas in your choice of the regular colors. For $429 you will get all 5 colors.For $2,499- which is called the Platinum Party Pack – you get all 5 Zookas and round trip tickets from anywhere in the continental US for you and a guest to attend the launch party as VIPs.
Review: TwelveSouth BassJump 2
Since the release of the Compass stand for the iPad, TwelveSouth is becoming one of my favorite companies to purchase accessories from for my Apple gadgets. Their products are very well designed, and perfectly match the elegance in design to Apple products. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a review unit of the BassJump 2 Subwoofer. Did the subwoofer make a significant difference in the sound to be worth the price?
Read on to find out.
Scosche Releases the bassDOCK for all iPad Models
Scosche Industries, makers of consumer technology, says the new Scosche bassDOCK which is a speaker dock for all iPad models, is now available. The speaker dock tilts and rotates for landscape and portrait viewing. It has a 2.1 sound system with 40 mm stereo speakers. The 3″ subwoofer gives the powerful, rich sound.
“The bassDOCK transforms the iPad into a complete entertainment system,” said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. “It provides the power, sound system and flexibility to make your movies, music and games come alive.”
bassDOCK users can charge their iPad or iPad 2 while their iPad is in use. The dock gives 10 Watts for a quick charge.
You can buy the Scosche bassDOCK now at Scosche.com for $149.99.
Satechi BT Portable Speaker Available Now
Leading mobile accessory maker, Satechi, has announced that the new BT Portablle Speaker is now available. The speaker wirelessly streams audio or phone calls using Bluetooth enabled device such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android phones, and MacBooks.
The speaker ways 3.3 ounces, uses Satechi’s Bass Expansion System which allows the speakers to amplify dynamic audio range. The speaker uses a vacuum chamber which opens up in a way similar to an accordion to mimic the acoustic properties of subwoofers which allows improved bass output.
The speaker uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries resulting in 6 hours of playback time. It also has buttons which control the tracks, volume, play/pause, and answer end calls. Other features include an LED status indicator, a USB cable which connect s the device to any USB charger or port, and a 3.5 mm jack which work with mody Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Purchase the BT Portable Speaker for $44.99 here or at Amazon.com.
Edifier’s Tick Toc Alarm Clock Collection Shipping to Retailers
Edifer, international designer and manufacturer of audio speakers, has announced the nationwide availability of the Tick Tock Dock, Tick Tock Bluetooth and Tick Tock SD/USB/FM Radio speaker systems. The alarm clocks integrate retro styling with modern features with several music playback options. They are available in black, white, and beige. Although the collection has the appearance of alarm clocks of the 1960′s but the “bells” are actually 1-1/2-inch omni-directional stereo speakers that bring 360-degree sound from the 7-watt speaker drivers.
Every model design has a bright, LCD display showing the time, date, and alarm input selection. The alarm emits a tone or you can choose to play music from FM, Bluetooth, or AUX input. 5 alarms and a sleep function the allows users to wake up or fall asleep to music is also included. The back of the clock has a 3.5 mm jack to connect to output from an external audio source.
The Tick Tock Dock, Tick Tock Bluetooth have a suggested retail price of $79.99. The Tick Tock SD/USB/FM Radio has an MSRP of $69.99.
Learn more here.
iHome and Disney Deliver New Line of Audio Products
iHome and Disney have collaborated to present a new line of Disney themed audio products perfect for all ages. These products include noise isolating earphones, over-the-ear headphones, a portable speaker system and an iPod docking alarm clock speaker system. More products are in the works for 2012.
“We are excited to collaborate with Disney on a great new line of audio products for under $50,” said Evan Stein, director of marketing of iHome. “From Kermit the Frog earphones to a classic Minnie Mouse dual alarm clock speaker system, Disney fans will love waking up and listening to music with some of their favorite characters.”
The items range from$19.99 and $49.99 the new iHome line featuring Disney characters. The items can be purchased at many retail outlets in North America including select Toys ‘R’ Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Barnes & Noble stores. For more product information, please visit this page on the iHome web site.
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