Hasta La Gadget!

Ever wonder why radio is still around when you are able to download podcasts, stream music (and even video) and listen to talk shows and the news all online? While we guess traditional radio still has its place in society, it seems that for the first time in the UK, royalty rates collected from online music licensing has actually exceeded that of royalties collected from regular radio. According to the Performing Rights Society (PRS) in the UK, they have found that royalties collected from online radio amount to £51.7 million, which is definitely more than the £47 million collected from radio royalties last year.

The PRS attribute this increase in royalties to online music services, such as Google Play and Xbox Music service, although we guess other players such as Spotify, Pandora and the likes probably play a role as well. However it should be noted that this is not exactly a fair comparison as royalties from online music is a combination of sales as well as from streaming, while royalties collected from radio is merely from broadcasts and does not take into account physical sales, but it still gives off a pretty good impression nonetheless.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: BBM Music Calls It A Day, BIG JAMBOX Updated,

Bang & Olufsen has relaunched its slick looking BeoSound 5 music system. The relaunch of the high-end music system brings with it complete integration with the streaming music service Spotify. The integration of the music device with Spotify brings users access to an additional 20 million songs with premium sound quality.

Customers around the world who already own the BeoSound 5 will be given access to Spotify features via a free software update can be downloaded online. The BeoSound 5 previously offered access to the owner’s own digital music collection as well as 14,000 Internet radio stations. With the new streaming music service added to the mix, users will be able to import their Spotify playlists directly to the device.

The BeoSound 5 is designed to allow the user to access and command all of the music no matter where stored from a single interface. The device can connect to a range of sources including network attached storage, Apple AirPlay devices, DLNA devices, Bluetooth, and other locations. The device has a large LCD screen and a scroll wheel making it easy to find the music you want to listen to.

The device supports the playback of multiple file formats including WMA and FLAC lossless as well as MP3s. The device has enough onboard storage for about 175,000 tracks or 10,000 CDs. Anything that carries the Bang & Olufsen brand is a high-end product and the BeoSound 5 is no exception. The device has an MSRP of $6324. Users will also need a Spotify Premium membership to enjoy the new feature.

[via Bang & Olufsen]

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 relaunches with Spotify integration is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its own web-based music streaming service, and one that will rival Pandora. The new music service will be called iRadio, and will follow Pandora’s example of music streaming. Music services like Spotify and Pandora provide a great revenue stream for music labels. According to the labels, Pandora accounted for 25% of their revenue last year.

However, the labels are getting worried because Pandora is attempting to negotiate for lower royalty fees. Currently, it pays 12 cents per 100 songs, but it needs to have a lower rate in order to generate a profit. Despite it not generating a profit, Pandora’s 12 cents per 100 songs fee is much lower than the 21 cents per 100 songs recommendation provided by the Copyright Royalty Board. Even Spotify, with its millions of users, is paying 35 cents per 100 songs.

The labels aren’t planning on lowering Pandora’s royalty fees however. They believe that the web radio industry is still growing, and that there will be other services that will be just as good as Pandora. They’re banking on Apple’s iRadio becoming a success. A source told The Verge that there is no doubt that Apple’s iRadio is coming, and that Apple has achieved a lot of progress with music labels. The sources say, “Apple is pushing really hard for a summertime launch”.

If Apple really is far into negotiations with music labels, perhaps the music labels were able to convince the company that a 6 cents per 100 songs royalty fee was too low. Regardless, with Apple’s power, its iRadio service would most likely be an instant hit, and it may deal incredible damage to Pandora’s business, especially since Pandora has just restricted its mobile users to only 40 hours of free music streaming per month. If the music labels offer Apple a better rate than Pandora, Pandora is expected to make a case in front of Congress with the Internet Radio Fairness Act (IRFA) bill. The bill, if approved by Congress, would lower Pandora’s (and other web radio’s) royalty fees so that they can generate a profit.

[via The Verge]

Apple will reportedly launch iRadio by Summer is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you needed any more enticement to splash out on one of LG’s new home entertainment products, then perhaps some streaming music might turn your head. The other Korean behemoth has added Spotify to its 2013 range of home theaters, with a month’s free trial offered up to anyone who has yet to sample the online radio service’s delights. The gear will start arriving on shelves in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand next month, and if you’d like to know more, there’s PR after the break.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, HD, LG

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Via: Far East Gizmos

Spotify is probably well-known to music lovers as a service in which they are able to stream songs. However according to recent rumors, perhaps streaming songs isn’t enough for the company and word has it that perhaps videos might be next on the list. Sources have indicated that Spotify is currently on the lookout for partners who can help them fund and create exclusive content for this alleged new service. If this is true and Spotify’s new venture takes off, this would pit them against the likes of Netflix who not only offer movies owned by movie studios, but who produce video content of their own, such as the original series House of Cards.

The reason behind Spotify’s alleged interest in video is because they aren’t making enough money from music alone. Since the music is owned by the major labels, a large chunk of royalties are instead paid to these labels rather than to Spotify, so we guess if Spotify were to create its own video content, they would be able to pocket most of the profits made from there. With the rise of smartphones and tablets, streaming videos and movies on the go has never been easier, although at this point in time we suggest you take this rumor with a grain of salt, but what do you guys think? Anyone interested in seeing Spotify start to offer video streaming as well?

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