Spotify is on fire with announcements these days. Fresh off of the news that the music-streaming service is partnering with companies such Coca-Cola and will build branded apps for them within the platform, the company is rolling out a preview of its new and improved Android app.
Spotify for Android is getting a new design with easier navigation and a feature that allows you to check out friends’ profile pages. Although it won’t be live in the Google Play store yet, it is available for download as a preview app starting now.
Among other new features of the app that runs with full support for Android 4.0 are more artist imagery in high resolution, faster navigation and a related artist view tool.
“That’s not the end of it,” Spotify said in a press release. “We’re working hard on adding further features, including folders and Last FM scrobbling, before the app goes live in Google Play.”
SEE ALSO: Spotify Details Strategic Partnership with Coca-Cola
To gain access to the Android preview, set your phone to allow installation from “Unknown Sources” by going to the Settings, Applications and then Unknown sources menu. When finished, click the button below to get the update.
Many many are expecting a Spotify iPad app soon, and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said during a press conference on Wednesday that it’s “in the works.”
In addition to recently announcing partnerships with various brands, last week Spotify launched a tool for music fans and web editors to embed playlists, songs or albums to a website or blog for free. The Spotify Play Button was designed to give users a way to legally share music online.
Spotify also recently announced plans to keep the service free in the U.S. indefinitely. The company initially granted U.S. consumers access to the platform with no restrictions for six months. For those who didn’t sign up for a premium package — ranging from $4.99 to $9.99 a month — the site would be limited to 10 free hours of streaming music each month. It’s unknown how long the streaming service will remain free in the U.S.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Google Drive to Launch Next Week With 5 GB of Free Storage
Google‘s foray into personal cloud storage, Google Drive, is about to launch next week, according to a report from The Next Web.
Citing a draft release from one of Google’s launch partners for the service, TNW claims the service will initially be free, giving out 5 GB of storage to every user.
The details on how, exactly, Google Drive will integrate with your PC are scarce; “desktop folder” integration on Mac and Windows machines is mentioned, but not explained.
The launch date could very well be real. In February 2012, a report (with screenshots) said the service is already live for some users, which usually means the official launch is coming soon.
Furthermore, TechCrunch has discovered a Google Drive OS X app, which currently does nothing, but it’s also another indicator of an imminent launch.
Google’s biggest competitor in this field is Dropbox, which currently offers 2 GB of free storage to users. What do you think: Does Google Drive have what it takes to compete with Dropbox? What other features would you like to see from Google’s online storage service? Share your opinions in the comments.
Citing a draft release from one of Google’s launch partners for the service, TNW claims the service will initially be free, giving out 5 GB of storage to every user.
The details on how, exactly, Google Drive will integrate with your PC are scarce; “desktop folder” integration on Mac and Windows machines is mentioned, but not explained.
The launch date could very well be real. In February 2012, a report (with screenshots) said the service is already live for some users, which usually means the official launch is coming soon.
Furthermore, TechCrunch has discovered a Google Drive OS X app, which currently does nothing, but it’s also another indicator of an imminent launch.
Google’s biggest competitor in this field is Dropbox, which currently offers 2 GB of free storage to users. What do you think: Does Google Drive have what it takes to compete with Dropbox? What other features would you like to see from Google’s online storage service? Share your opinions in the comments.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Google+ Redesign: Here’s What’s New
Google’s social network got a redesign on Wednesday that makes it prettier and easier to navigate.
“It accelerates our efforts to create a simpler, more beautiful Google,” Google Senior Vice President Vic Gundotra argued in a blog post announcing the redesign.
Some of the design elements included in the update echo Facebook Timeline, such as a cover photo that sprawls across the top of the profile and bigger photo and video displays. Others, like a customizable navigation ribbon that now runs along the left side of all pages, are new to mainstream social media.
In addition to prettying up its look and improving navigation features, Google made efforts to better highlight some of Plus’s pre-existing features. A new Hangouts page, for instance, shows Hangout invitations from people in your circles and makes it easier to browse upcoming hangouts. With a new Explore page, users can see the content that is trending across the network.
Reactions to the redesign itself have been largely positive. Forbes called it “simply more gorgeous than Facebook.” Wired noted that “Overall, the new Google+ look is cleaner and seems to make better use of the real estate.” Fast Company agreed with this general sentiment, but added that it doesn’t really matter.
“It’s better in almost every way, focused on real-time trends, customization, and playing to Google’s few advantages they have in the space,” wrote Mark Wilson on the news site. “But, you know, it’s just a little too late for design alone to save the day.”
“It accelerates our efforts to create a simpler, more beautiful Google,” Google Senior Vice President Vic Gundotra argued in a blog post announcing the redesign.
Some of the design elements included in the update echo Facebook Timeline, such as a cover photo that sprawls across the top of the profile and bigger photo and video displays. Others, like a customizable navigation ribbon that now runs along the left side of all pages, are new to mainstream social media.
In addition to prettying up its look and improving navigation features, Google made efforts to better highlight some of Plus’s pre-existing features. A new Hangouts page, for instance, shows Hangout invitations from people in your circles and makes it easier to browse upcoming hangouts. With a new Explore page, users can see the content that is trending across the network.
Reactions to the redesign itself have been largely positive. Forbes called it “simply more gorgeous than Facebook.” Wired noted that “Overall, the new Google+ look is cleaner and seems to make better use of the real estate.” Fast Company agreed with this general sentiment, but added that it doesn’t really matter.
“It’s better in almost every way, focused on real-time trends, customization, and playing to Google’s few advantages they have in the space,” wrote Mark Wilson on the news site. “But, you know, it’s just a little too late for design alone to save the day.”
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