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Rhapsody debuts app for Windows 8 at Microsoft Build 2013
Today during Microsoft's 2013 edition of Build, Rhapsody announced that it's releasing a version of its music app designed for the Windows 8 operating system. As you might expect, the Win8 variant will bring many of the same features found on its iOS and Android counterparts, including the ability for subscribers to create playlists and stream / download songs from Rhapsody's ample library of tunes. There will be some tidbits tailored specifically for Redmond's OS, however, such as a Snap Mode for simple multitasking and an option that allows tracks to be pinned to the Metro-style home screen. The company told us the application will hit the Windows store shortly, so we'll be sure to update this post as soon as we have a link to the download. Update: Rhapsody's Windows 8 app is now up for grabs via the Windows store, linked down below for your convenience.
This is the Modem World: Internet radio is inhuman
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology. I gripped the handset, twirling the coiled wire around my wrist, listening for a ring tone. Instead, a busy signal triggered an autonomous twitch reaction in my teenage hand: hang up, wait for dial tone, hit redial, listen for ring tone. Again. Again.
Rhapsody Concerts lets iOS users keep track of music tours, find shows nearby
Back when SongMatch for Android was introduced to the public, Rhapsody said that its Shazam-esque offering was only the first of many "companion" apps to come. Today, as part of its plans to expand the suite of Rhapsody applications, the streaming service is introducing Concerts. The moniker says it all, really: the new application is designed to be a hub where you can easily keep up with -- you guessed it -- concerts from music artists you're into or even ones you've never heard of. Using a device's location services, Concerts can quickly find gigs around your area and display useful info related to them, including things like an entire show lineup and the ability to buy tickets. While Concerts isn't limited to Rhapsody subscribers, those who pay the monthly fee do get a couple extra tidbits, such as music playback and track downloads from within the app. Currently, it's only available for iOS, but Rhapsody did tell us that Android and Windows Phone versions are "coming in the next few weeks." For folks who can download right now, however, we have the App Store link below.%Gallery-190996%
Rhapsody announces Napster launch in 14 countries across Europe
As part of its Napster (and Napster International) acquisition from a while back, Rhapsody promised it would spread the music service across more places worldwide, with one of the many focuses being to have a stronger presence in Europe. Well, staying true to its word, Rhapsody's announcing today that it's bringing the ripened Napster to more countries in The Old Continent, such as France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and more. For those Euro folks interested, the Napster membership is set to cost €9.95 per month, which includes, among other things, offline features and unlimited streaming of over 20 million tunes on both desktop and mobile apps. But, hey, if you'd rather see how it stacks up against similar services first, then maybe you oughta take up Rhapsody on its 30-day free trial offer at the source link below. Psst... you'll find the full list of new countries where Napster's now available in the PR past the jump.%Gallery-190196%
Rhapsody announces new iOS app, redesigned from the ground up
Not to be outdone by some of its music-streaming counterparts, Rhapsody's releasing a revamped version of its iOS app today. Taking on a newly minted look, the service promises this version will make it simpler for subscribers to access and manage their tunes within the application. Rhapsody added features such as a "personalized" organization that, as you'd expect, organizes your jams under the My Music section and splits them into two different categories: Library and Downloads. Much like on the Android flavor of the app, Rhapsody also updated the Album and Artist pages to display more useful info and tools, including reviews and additional music controls. In theory, these should pair nicely with the all-new fullscreen player and a pop-up menu that allows you to easily add songs to the download queue. Rhapsody tells us the update will be hitting the iOS devices soon, so keep an eye on the App Store if you'd like to be one of the First! first to test out the goods. Update: It's live now, and we've added the link below to help you get started with the download. %Gallery-189226%
Editorial: Google confuses magic with middling as it steps into music streaming
First of all: that name. Google Play Music All Access. Perhaps Google's presenters realized, as they were driving to the I/O keynote, that they had forgotten to name the new music-streaming service, and came up with that clunker backstage. Unique? Magical? It's easy to dismiss those claims within minutes of signing up. Jump to the keynote, where Chris Yerga described All Access as "a uniquely Google approach to a subscription service," and remarked, "Here's where the magic starts." Unique? Magical? It's easy to dismiss those claims within minutes of signing up. Prosaic and useful, yes; unique and magical, no. All Access is nowhere near an innovation. The major ecosystem companies, each of which started with groundbreaking technical development, now seem to fashion their business destinies on buttressing their networks with products innovated elsewhere, plugging holes to sway existing users from drifting out of the system. It's not a new story, but always a sad one.
RIAA now counts online streams in Gold and Platinum Digital Single Awards
After years of fighting against the digital tide, the RIAA announced it'll now factor online audio and video streams when considering tracks for its Digital Single Award. The certification has heretofore been given to digital tracks that have gone Gold or Platinum, but only for downloads: 500,000 for Gold, 1,000,000 for Platinum and 2 million-plus for multi-Platinum. But under its new policy, 100 streams count as one download, meaning that it could reach those thresholds with a mix of streams and downloads, not just the latter. The new approach is "an approximate barometer of comparative consumer activity; the financial value of streams and downloads were not factored into the equation." All told, these include streams from services like MOG, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify and Rdio along with video sites like VEVO, YouTube and MTV.com. Under the new system, 56 titles have already gone Gold and beyond, with 11 receiving their first ever digital song cert. A couple of first-timers include Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" which went Platinum and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" that went multi-Platinum. While we can't say if music services will make everyone happy, it's clear streaming's here to stay. Hear that, iTunes?
BMW announces compatibility with four new iOS apps, removable in-car LTE router, we go hands-on
At this year's New York International Auto Show BMW is expanding its portfolio of connected apps -- by four. The company announced iOS integration for Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn Radio and we couldn't help but swing by to check them all out. This integration (which also will work on Connected Minis) entails an update to those existing iOS apps. In other words, you won't need a dedicated BMW app nor second versions of these individual apps. You can use the ones you already know and love. Join us below for a little more information on how that works, and a look at the company's in-car LTE router that's also on display.%Gallery-184397%
BMW integrating more iOS apps into driving experience
BMW is moving aggressively to bring the iOS app experience to drivers through its BMW Apps option. Today, the company announced tie-ins with four iOS apps, including Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn. Plug your iOS device into the console USB connection of any BMW Apps-enabled car, and you're cooking. You can also connect through the BMW snap-in adapter if your car is so equipped. The four app developers are busy making changes needed for complete integration with BMW Apps, and it could take some weeks before the apps are available for download. All of the app controls will appear on the BMW iDrive infotainment screen. One of the most useful applications is Glympse, which has always been a favorite around here. With the BMW Apps-enabled version of Glympse, location information will be populated with options to share, pause or cancel a Glympse through the iDrive controller and screen. Drivers can opt to send the Glympse to other users via the app using the iPhone contact list, or via Facebook or Twitter. %Gallery-184004% Audible will provide on-screen controls as well, and BMW customers will access their audiobook library using the iDrive controller and menu display. Rhapsody and TuneIn will also be controllable via iDrive, providing in-car streaming music. The BMW Apps option is available for model year 2011 and later vehicles. BMW already offers apps for things like remote car locking and unlocking, locating your parked car and finding locations via Google Maps and sending them directly to the car navigation system.
BMW and Mini cars add iOS integration for Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn
BMW hasn't been quite as aggressive in pushing smartphone app integration as American counterparts like Ford or GM, but it certainly knows how to make up for lost time: the Munich automaker just greenlit tie-ins with the iOS apps from Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn. Plug in a device and it will be possible to wield the apps' respective audiobook, location sharing, subscription music and live streaming radio services from a BMW Apps-capable BMW or Mini, with an interface optimized for the center stack. Each of the developers will need to update their app to make everything click, which we're told may take weeks. There still shouldn't be much wait before fans of Teutonic (and British) rides can get lost while streaming favorite songs -- and tell everyone just how far they went off-course.
Rhapsody posts Windows Phone 8 app with offline playback
Just because Rhapsody is an old hand at online music doesn't mean it has to lag behind: the company just posted a new version of its app tailored to Windows Phone 8 listeners. Besides the native OS tie-ins, it adds offline downloads and access to the personalized My Music section. Windows Phone-focused listeners who've stuck to Rhapsody's $10-plus service through thick and thin -- or just aren't wedded to options from Microsoft, Nokia and Spotify -- can hit the source for the new jukebox.
Rhapsody and MetroPCS announce new $5 unlimited on-demand plan for monthly subscribers
In a move that could be considered slightly similar to what Muvu's been doing with Cricket, Rhapsody announced today it's teamed up with MetroPCS to bring a more desirable music plan to the carrier's subscribers. What this means, essentially, is that MetroPCS customers can now pay an extra $5 per month on their plan to stream as many on-demand tunes as possible from Rhapsody's extensive repertoire, so long as it's one of those recently introduced "simpler" deals. Naturally, how much music folks can stream will also depend on which month-to-month plan they are on, but the $5 monthly Rhapsody subscription is set to be the same across MetroPCS' $40, $50 and $60 plans. According to Rhapsody's president, Jon Irwin, the MetroPCS partnership was a no-brainer, as he believes it will be "instrumental in the growth of the on-demand streaming music business," adding that the service is "eager to continue to bring new offers to customers that benefit all parts of the digital music value chain."
Rhapsody finally spinning tunes on iPad with tablet-specific app
Rhapsody has a holiday gift for its users. The popular streaming music service has made good on its promise to deliver an iPad version of its app, which had been iPhone-only since its launch in 2009. The app is fully optimized for Apple's full-size and mini tablets, with large cover art and a full-screen music player. The app supports AirPlay and features specific playlists for online and offline use when listening to tracks downloaded from the service. New users can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Rhapsody from within the app. After the initial period, the service runs US$9.99 a month for unrestricted streaming, allowing unlimited song downloads to one mobile device (the Premier Plus plans is $14.99/month and allows downloads to three devices). [Via Engadget]
Rhapsody launches new iPad app, completely tailored for Apple's tablets
Back when it rolled out its novel SongMatch app for Android, Rhapsody proudly noted that it wasn't anywhere close to being finished announcing new products. Well, staying true to its word, the music streaming service today announced a hot-off-the-virtual-press iPad application, which is designed to take full advantage of both the 9.7- and 7.9-inch Apple-made tablets. Aside from being optimized for the iPad and iPad mini, the sleek app essentially carries over the same tune-listening features it has been offering to iPhone users but with a more visual interface to better suit the larger real estate. As Rhapsody usually does, there's a 30-day free trial for those who wish to try out the service, so anyone looking to check out the new app can do so now by snagging it from the App Store link below.
Rhapsody intros SongMatch for Android, helps you discover tunes with a simple tap
There's certainly no doubt that Rhapsody usually caters to the Android crowd first, before eventually taking its on-demand goods elsewhere. Now, not long since completely redesigning its official application on Mountain View's mobile OS, the music service announced its newest application, dubbed SongMatch (powered by Gracenote). As the name would adequately tell us, Rhapsody's app will make it relatively simple to learn more about previously-unknown tunes, with SongMatch offering a one-click feature which can quickly identify music info such as the artist, song and, naturally, the name of the album -- you know, similar to what you might see on apps like Shazam and SoundHound. SongMatch is available as a gratis download on the Play and Amazon stores, and Rhapsody's quick to point out that the app will be great for current subscribers as well as newcomers who may not have an account -- that said, the company is hoping to lure some people in, adding that SongMatch is indeed "a great way to introduce new music fans to Rhapsody."
Rhapsody app now available on Xbox 360
People with expensive home theater set-ups and/or insane people who listen to music through television speakers now have yet another option when using their Xbox as a weird internet radio device. Specifically, subscription-based streaming music service Rhapsody has launched a new app, which is available now for anyone with Xbox Live Gold and a (paid) Rhapsody account.The app includes access to Rhapsody's full music library, allowing users to access playlists they've constructed on other devices. It also supports gesture and voice commands via Kinect, which sounds good on paper, but we're going to withhold final judgement until we've tested whether our Girls' Generation choreography practice is falsely interpreted as interface navigation.
Rhapsody now available on Xbox Live, brings on-demand music to Microsoft's console
The Xbox 360 certainly isn't suffering from any shortages in the entertainment department, but that's not to say Microsoft's not willing to welcome new app additions to its growing, decade-old ecosystem. Today marks Rhapsody's turn to join the likes of Hulu, Netflix, Crackle and, most recently, WatchESPN on Redmond's Dashboard, bringing its known on-demand music streaming service to Xbox Live -- and, naturally, it'll be available at no additional cost to current Gold and Rhapsody subscribers. Rhapsody is set to arrive on Xbox Live today, but fret not if you don't see the application right away, as it may take a little while before it pops up on your console.
Rhapsody announces redesigned Android app, adds new Replay feature
Only a few weeks have gone by since Rhapsody updated its Android app to v3.0, but today the self-titled number one music subscription service has announced an all-new version of its tune-streaming application. For starters, the most notable change here is a completely redesigned user interface that, according to Rhapsody, "brings music discovery to life." That's not it, however, as the Android app also sees the addition of a new feature dubbed Replay which will recommend tunes based on previous activity, plus a Featured Albums section tailored specifically by Rhapsody's "world class editorial staff." The overhauled app's available for download now from Google Play -- and, yes, there's a free trial option for those who have yet to shell out cash on the paid subscription offering.
Rhapsody finds its way to yet more devices, in the form of LG, Panasonic and Samsung Smart TVs
These days it seems like Rhapsody has jumped across more platforms than the Super Mario Bros. The music streaming service is readying itself to make yet another big push in the form of Smart TVs, bringing its app to sets made by LG, Panasonic and Samsung. According to the company, this version was tweaked to bring a "visually rich" UI for big displays and quick playback. Also on board are radio stations, curated playlists and recommendations. It'll be arriving in the "coming months," along with an Xbox Live launch that's due out before year's end.
Rhapsody Android app goes 3.0, adds offline playback
Rhapsody fans with Android handsets, listen up, because your subway rides just got a little more bearable. The latest version of the music streaming service rolled out on the Google Play store this week, bringing with it the promise of downloadable tracks and albums, for your offline listening pleasure. The update also allows you to pick precisely where you want those downloads to go, so you can stream Gaga to your hearts content without eating up your data. More details can be found in the source link below.
