music - 7/17 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jul

Spotify App Updates With Radio Support For Mobile Users, Free Radio For All Users

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

The Spotify Android app typically lags behind not only its counterpart on other platforms, but even its own desktop app. One of the nicest features that the streaming service offers on the desktop is its Radio services. Using your own selections as a starting point, Spotify will put together automated playlists based on your taste. You know, like Pandora. As of today's update, the Radio functions are not only available on mobile but are even accessible even if you don't have Spotify Premium.

This marks an exciting new era for Spotify. Up until now, if you wanted to get access to tunes on the go from the Swedish-borne service, you had to pay $10 a month for the privilege.

Jul

AutoRap From Smule Will Turn Things You Say Into A Rap Song - Yes, Even Shakespeare

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Smule is a developer best known for creating some really amazing novelty music apps. The company's latest is AutoRap which does exactly what it says on the tin: it takes your speech and automagically turns it into a rap. To test this feature, I fed it the only logical thing to run through an auto-rapping app: Shakespeare. Specifically, Puck's closing monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

If your head's not bopping and your butt's not shaking, you have no appreciation for music or literature. On a more serious note, the app is pretty impressive and beautifully designed.

Jul

Pre-Built XBMC Apk Is Available, Here's What It Looks Like Running On A Nexus Q

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Earlier this week, we mentioned that the amazing folks behind the XBMC project are bringing the app to Android. Well, it's still very early, but would you like to see what it's gonna be like? Of course you do. If you've got a Nexus Q or an Android-compatible set top box, you can download the apk from our mirrors below. For the rest of you, here's what it looks like running on a lovingly hacked Nexus Q, courtesy of Cyanogenmod developer Jason Parker:

The interface is still very much centered around arrow keys/a d-pad. Touch input does work, but text is very small on a phone and not much better on a tablet.

Jul

[New App] Mixcloud Now Streaming Mad Beats And Podcasts To Your Phone

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Apps/Games, News

Mixcloud is a streaming audio service that's gained quite a following for its wide selection of live music and DJ tracks. No longer will you have to head to a computer to listen to Mixcloud; the new Android app gives you access to the same cool beats on your phone.

From within the app you can dive into any of the popular streams from clubs all over the world. There are also categories to dig through, and you can listen to your own personal mixes too. The other side of Mixcloud is the podcast and radio show content. There are quite a few streams from popular podcast networks built into the service.

Jul

[Deal Alert] Amazon Is Giving Away $3 In AmazonMP3 Credit Right Now

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Amazon, News

In the world of digital music stores that aren't iTunes, Amazon is a crowd favorite. With DRM-free downloads of widely-compatible MP3s and a cloud storage player that isn't the worst in the world, it's hard to not enjoy the utility of Amazon's music service. If that's not enough, though, how about some free stuff? Amazon is currently offering $3 worth of free music to anyone who asks. As long as you ask before midnight (PST), that is.

Similar to Amazon's recent Kindle Fire deal, the company is offering a voucher that can be used to purchase music between now and July 12th.

Jun

This Is The Nexus Q: Google's Front-Line Soldier In The Invasion Of Your Living Room

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News, Nexus Q (Steelhead)

We heard about it earlier, and now it's official. The Nexus Q is a streaming media player that is designed to centralize your media streaming in the living room. The device connects to Google Music and allows both you and your friends to add media and rearrange playlists as they feed directly to your home theater. The device will launch for $300 on the Play Store.

The device includes support for optical audio out, as well as micro HDMI video and audio. The device can connect to the internet via WiFi or ethernet. The device connects and can be set up via NFC.

Jun

Google Is Going To Sell Triad Bookshelf Speakers To Go Along With The Nexus Q - For $400

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

Hope you've got a large available line of credit for this year's Google I/O, because the big G is not holding back. After we've found leaks of the mysterious ~~orb of power~~ Nexus Q, now Google's device page has shared some more secrets: expensive bookshelf speakers to go along with its new "social streaming media player."

The speakers will only be available in the US initially, and seem to be of a pretty high quality. We should certainly hope so, for the price. In any case, this certainly lends yet another intriguing element to the "Google Play @ Home" mentioned in the Nexus Q video.

Jun

[Weekend Poll] Do You Regularly Purchase Tracks/Albums Using Google Play Music?

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Polls

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see Which Would You Buy Today, The Samsung Galaxy S III Or The HTC One X?

Google launched the Play Store in March in an attempt to consolidate the Books, Movies, Music, and Apps under one umbrella. Obviously the Apps section sees a ton of action, but we're not so sure that the other three have really found any traction. So we're taking the question to you, although our readers admittedly aren't the most unbiased of audiences to ask about this.

Do you use Google Play Music to purchase tracks or albums on any sort of regular basis?

Jun

Zombies, Run! Spices Up Your Running Routine With A Little Undead Uprising

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Since the invention of the smartphone, the number one concern on everyone's mind is "How can I use this to help prepare for the zombie apocalypse?" And if that's not your number one concern, it should be. Zombies, Run! is a game designed to augment your current running routine with a story and extra, *ahem*, motivation. Of the keeping-your-brains variety.

The game actually started as a Kickstarter project (but what doesn't these days?) and was released on iOS a few months ago. The game is fairly straightforward. Plug in your headphones before you go running, and hit play. The audio creates an environment and a narrative that engulfs you in a post-apocalyptic world.

Jun

[New App] Songkick Comes To Android, Creates Concert Calendars Based On Your Music Tastes And Location

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Songkick is a fantastic service that helps avid concert fans track bands and concerts in their local area based on their music tastes. Well, now, the service is coming to Android with its shiny new app. Songkick can scan your music library, Google Music account, and Last.fm artist to create a custom calendar of all the shows in your area you might like. Smart!

The app is extremely slick and appears designed with ICS in mind, which certain older apps have only just started to get on board with. So, it's nice to see this one start with the new UI out of the gate.