Apple working with Beats to develop Streaming Music Service to take on Spotify

Apple had acquired Beats, a company making hip headphones and speaker products as well as offering a streaming music service, back in August 2014 for a sum of $3 billion. There were reports that Apple was planning to refurbish Beats and integrate it with iTunes. It was also rumored that the streaming service would be overhauled by Apple and launched with an entirely new design and concept.

The New York Times reports that Apple is teaming up with Beats executives and engineers to make sweeping changes to its digital music services and launch its own subscription music streaming service that will rival current services such as Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody. The subscription prices haven’t been announced as yet but Apple won’t keep the prices lower than the rival services.

Apparently, Apple had tried to convince the record labels to reduce their licensing costs but failed. This was disclosed to the New York Times by some music executives on the condition of anonymity. Lower licensing costs would have enabled Apple to offer its streaming service subscriptions for $8 per month instead of $10 that is standard for other similar services.

The Cupertino giant also plans to upgrade its iTunes Radio and tailor it to provide region-specific content to listeners. Apple is trying to get the best new albums on iTunes first before others get them.

The company has made a musician and former chief creative officer Trent Raznor a point man for redesigning iPhone’s music app. Zane Lowe, erstwhile DJ of BBC Radio 1 will be playing a major role in re configuring the iTunes Radio and making it more regionally targeted like the traditional radio stations.

Currently, Apple is the largest music retailer and iTunes has over 800 million customer accounts. However, Apple has lagged behind in offering streaming services where the Swedish company Spotify has got a head start. Apple’s streaming service is not going to offer free music like Spotify, which has made major music labels happy.

Apple’s new streaming service doesn’t have a name yet but the name “Beat Music” is expected to be dropped. The service is likely to be launched sometime this year. Word is that it will be a part of Apple’s next iOS, the iOS 9 and will launch with its next iPhone.

Apple working with Beats to develop Streaming Music Service to take on Spotify

Google Hangouts introduces International Voice Calls to its Users in India; First Minute Free for 24 Countries

Last week, Google had announced that its Hangouts users would be able to make international voice calls which would be free for the first minute. Google has now introduced this support in India as well.  Google Hangouts users in India can make international calls for free or at very low rates.

Google India’s announcement in its official Google+ post says, “Starting today, the Hangouts app on your phone will help you stay connected with your family and friends around the world in more ways than ever. Now you can make voice calls to phone numbers outside of India on Android, and the web from Hangouts in Gmail.”

 

     

The post says that Hangouts users in India can call numbers in US and Canada for free. For calls to other countries, the international rates are “really low” and the first minute of any call to 24 countries will be free and will become chargeable after that. These countries include:

Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

Indian Android users will have to install the app “Hangouts Dialer” from Google Play to turn on the voice calls. iOS device users and the web users will get voice calling facility the next time they access the Hangouts app. iOS users can download the app from iTunes.

In its Support Page, Google says, “You can make and receive calls as well as get your text messages and voicemails for your Google Voice number through Hangouts. To use Google Voice with your Hangouts account, you need to have a U.S. Google Voice account and number.”

It further says, “Calls where the first minute are free will say, “First minute free” on the call screen. If you don’t see this message, you’ll be charged for the first minute.”

Google Hangouts users in India must surely be excited by this news!

Google Hangouts introduces International Voice Calls to its Users in India; First Minute Free for 24 Countries

Apple to Rebuild Beats and Integrate It Inside iTunes

Since Apple has acquired Beats by Dr Dre earlier this year, the tech giant company is planning to rebuild Beats Music and integrate it into iTunes by next year. This movement is done in the hope to bring up Apple’s iTunes service sales which is currently declining. The revenue from the service is down 13 to 14 percent this year until the moment when this article was posted. It is a big jump compared with the 2.1 percent decline in the previous year.

It is not confirmed whether there will be a free streaming option offered when it is re-launches. Beats Music is priced at $10 monthly, with no ad-supported business model like Spotify. Beats has also recently launched an Apple TV channel and released a “Listen Now” integration with Shazam.

Before the acquisition by Apple, Beats is making headphones, therefore, that was one area whereby we expect this movement would help Apple. However, while integration with iTunes would makes sense, Steve Job’s biographer Walter Isaacson mentioned that Beats will be exploring possibility to be video content providers.

The official announcement could come as soon as in the first half of 2015. We are excited but we only can wait and see.

Apple to Rebuild Beats and Integrate It Inside iTunes

PhotoMath can solve Math Equations using a Phone Camera

Having difficulty in solving a Math equation? No worries, PhotoMath is here. With PhotoMath App, you can use your smartphone to solve mathematical problems. All you have to do is open the PhotoMath app in your mobile phone, point it towards the math equation you want to solve, take its picture and the answer instantly pops up on your screen. Pressing the steps button also gives you the step-by-step solution to the equation.

PhotoMath is a free app launched recently by Microblink. It is the same company that developed PhotoPay, for easy bill payments. When you scan the bill with the camera of your smartphone, your bank will pay it automatically. PhotoPay is being used by 14 banks in Europe.

The app is currently available for iOS and Windows Phones. iPhone users can download it from iTunes and Windows phone users from the Windows Phone store.  It is not available as yet on Android phones but Android users are expected to get the PhotoMath by early 2015.

PhotoMath supports problems concerning basic arithmetic, decimals, fractions, linear equations and logarithms. However, the app supports only printed problems and not handwritten text. The app is being updated with new solutions being added constantly.

Description of the app in iTunes says, “Children can use it as a tool which helps them to learn Math, while parents can use it to check the homework to their children. With PhotoMath, you can have a Math teacher in your pocket.” While doing homework or learning for a test, you can check the answers quickly and easily without having to turn numerous pages of your book.

The app also has its drawbacks. It can tempt some students to cheat during exams and teachers will have to be extra careful.

Via TechCrunch

PhotoMath can solve Math Equations using a Phone Camera