Music service Spotify on Wednesday announced a slate of major changes — including the addition of videos, podcasts, and mood-based playlists — while Facebook officially expanded Messenger video calls worldwide.
Spotify on Monday announced a joint initiative with Starbucks that will see the world's largest coffeehouse chain stream its music in stores, promote premium Spotify subscription tiers and grant current users access to Starbucks' rewards program.
Major record labels Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are both reportedly proposing that Spotify end its free, ad-supported on-demand music in a bid to push people into paid subscriptions.
Spotify and other streaming music services are upset with Apple's App Store policies, which they say effectively prevent them from competing with iTunes or Beats Music, a report claimed on Wednesday.
Swedish music streamer Spotify has more to lose from Apple's anticipated Beats Music revamp than its competition, according to new usage data, as iOS accounts for a majority of Spotify's active users.
As it prepares to launch a new streaming music service, Apple is said to be pressuring music labels to force rivals like Spotify to abandon their free tiers — something that has apparently brought scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.
When Apple launches a rebranded Beats Music later this year, the streaming service may not have an ad-supported free tier, according to a new report, citing sources who allegedly spoke with Apple's Eddy Cue and Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine.
Struggling Japanese electronics maker Sony has conceded defeat in the digital music market, announcing on Wednesday that it will close its cross-platform Music Unlimited service at the end of March and refer customers to another iTunes & Beats Music competitor, Spotify.
Swedish streaming music firm Spotify on Monday revealed that its customer base grew to some 60 million active users by the end of 2014, of which 15 million had purchased paid subscriptions.
Apple's acquisition of streaming service Beats Music looms large over the latest music sales data, showing once again that the industry is trending away from sales of digital songs and albums.
Popular music subscription service Spotify updated its official iPad app on Thursday with a new look in line with its iPhone client, while also giving users access to the "Your Music" feature. In addition, Microsoft's Skype for iPhone was also updated with the ability to save and delete photo, as well as a faster chat load time.
Apple has reportedly pitched music labels a new lower pricing structure for its Beats Music service, arguing that subscriptions could grow considerably if the price could be lowered to just $5 per month.
Though it arrived later than expected, Pioneer on Thursday supplied updates for its existing NEX lineup of car stereos to support Apple's CarPlay. In addition, popular streaming music service Spotify also saw an update to its iOS application to add support for Apple's new car infotainment platform.
Swedish streaming music provider Spotify on Wednesday announced the addition of multimedia hardware companies Bose, Panasonic, and Gramofon to its list of partners for Spotify Connect, a wireless media streaming platform similar to Apple's AirPlay.
The U.S. Justice Department is in the process of deciding whether to revise the laws regarding music royalty rates — changes that could have an effect on Apple's streaming music offerings Beats Music and iTunes Radio.
Apple's mobile advertising efforts are expected to increase this year, when the company is reportedly planning to have locally targeted ads air on iTunes Radio, and will also begin promoting iTunes content through its own iAd network.
Facing significant declines in digital music sales, Apple is reportedly plotting a potential overhaul of its iTunes Music Store, in addition to considering new revenue opportunities through on-demand streaming and even allegedly an iTunes for Android.
Apple's iTunes Radio has carved out 8 percent of the U.S. streaming music market, placing it ahead of popular service Spotify and just behind second-place iHeart Radio, according to newly released data.
Swedish music streaming service Spotify on Wednesday released an update to its iPhone and iPad apps that officially enables new subscription-free streaming features the company promised last month.
Streaming music service Spotify announced on Wednesday that iPhone and iPad users can now access its content without having to pay for a subscription, though there are restrictions on how music can be played from a mobile device.
{{ summary }}
Roger Fingas
Mikey Campbell
AppleInsider Staff
Katie Marsal
Sam Oliver
Neil Hughes
Shane Cole
