Tag: Apple Music

  • Home Assistant Launches Music Assistant 2.4 with New Features

    Home Assistant Launches Music Assistant 2.4 with New Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. Music Assistant version 2.4 enhances streaming from Assist devices and supports voice commands for song selection.
    2. The update introduces native support for podcasts and audiobooks from platforms like Subsonic, YouTube, and Audible.
    3. Spotify Connect is supported, requiring a Spotify Premium account for use.
    4. A new Digital Signal Processor (DSP) feature allows users to customize their listening experience with adjustable input/output gain and a Parametric Equalizer.
    5. Plans for future updates include an Apple AirPlay plugin for additional audio source compatibility.

    Home Assistant has shared the launch of Music Assistant version 2.4. This application is a free, open-source media library manager that allows users of Home Assistant to stream music from a variety of sources using their smart home speakers.

    Improvements in Version 2.4

    The latest version introduces enhancements for streaming from Assist devices, including the newly released Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition. Users can also employ Assist voice commands to pick a song or an artist to listen to. Furthermore, it supports external audio sources, making it compatible with Spotify Connect, although it’s important to note that a Spotify Premium account is necessary for this feature. The company has mentioned plans to add an Apple AirPlay plugin in the future.

    New Features for Audio Content

    Another significant improvement is the native support for podcasts and audiobooks through platforms such as Subsonic, YouTube, and Audible. When enjoying an audiobook, users can monitor their progress with a bar that shows dots marking the start of each chapter. Since the previous update, Music Assistant has also incorporated support for Apple Music, iBroadcast, and SiriusXM.

    Customization Options for Users

    Additionally, a new configurable Digital Signal Processor (DSP) has been introduced, which allows you to tailor your listening experience by modifying the input and output gain or utilizing the Parametric Equalizer (PEQ) tool. The full change log is accessible on GitHub. Music Assistant version 2.4 is now ready for all users, and this add-on can be installed directly from your Home Assistant.

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  • Spotify Music Pro: Get Exclusive Benefits with 50% Surcharge

    Spotify Music Pro: Get Exclusive Benefits with 50% Surcharge

    Key Takeaways

    1. Spotify HiFi was announced in February 2021 but has not yet launched, unlike competitors offering high-fidelity audio.
    2. Spotify Music Pro is expected to introduce a new pricing tier, adding about $6 to the existing $12 for Spotify Premium users.
    3. New features for Spotify Music Pro may include personalized AI-generated playlists and exclusive concert ticket access.
    4. The introduction of this premium tier is seen as essential for Spotify to increase revenue as the music streaming market becomes saturated.
    5. Spotify aims to enhance its service with exclusive content like podcasts and audiobooks while improving audio quality to attract more subscribers.

    Spotify HiFi was first revealed in February 2021, with plans to provide music in CD-quality soon after. However, while other services like Amazon Music, Tidal, and Apple Music have been offering high-fidelity audio for quite some time, there has been no indication of the much-anticipated Spotify upgrade. Recent reports from Bloomberg suggest that changes are on the horizon this year, leading to the introduction of Spotify Music Pro.

    Pricing and New Features

    Unlike Apple Music, which includes Hi-Fi quality for all its users at no additional cost, Spotify is rumored to impose an extra charge of about $6 on top of the existing $12 for Spotify Premium. This would allow listeners to enjoy superior audio quality, although the specific pricing and timeline for the global rollout are still being determined. Alongside enhanced audio quality, Spotify Music Pro is expected to offer various new features, such as personalized AI-generated playlists and exclusive concert ticket access. Subscribers may have the advantage of purchasing tickets before regular customers or gaining access to premium seating options reserved just for them.

    Market Positioning

    Spotify seems to consider this pricier subscription tier crucial for boosting its revenues, especially as the music streaming market nears saturation. In 2024, Spotify saw an 11% increase, reaching 263 million paying subscribers. The standard subscription, priced at $11.99 per month, is only $1 less than Apple Music’s offering. Currently, Spotify provides notably lower audio quality at this price point, but it aims to enhance its appeal with exclusive podcasts and audiobooks, among other content.

    Bloomberg’s insights paint a picture of Spotify’s future direction, suggesting that they are gearing up for a significant transformation in how they deliver music and engage with their audience.

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  • Apple Music Spatial Audio on LG Smart TVs: Exclusive Trial Offer

    Apple Music Spatial Audio on LG Smart TVs: Exclusive Trial Offer

    LG Electronics recently updated its Smart TV lineup, which includes OLED and QNED models, to incorporate support for Apple Music with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, marking a significant advancement in TV technology.

    Apple Music Integration

    Users can now seamlessly access the vast Apple Music library, boasting a collection of over 100 million songs, 30,000 playlists without interruptions from ads, exclusive live content, and interviews.

    Free Trial Offer

    LG is introducing a generous three-month free trial of Apple Music, starting this week, for users of compatible Smart TVs dating back to 2018 that are powered by webOS 4.0 or later. This offer extends to unique models like StanbyME, StanbyME Go, and MyView Smart Monitor.

    Enhanced Sound Quality

    The incorporation of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on these TVs brings a notable enhancement to the sound quality. When paired with compatible LG soundbars, the TVs effortlessly deliver music in immersive high-quality surround sound.

    LG has made it possible for TVs that do not directly support Dolby Atmos to still deliver the Spatial Audio experience when connected to a compatible Dolby Atmos LG soundbar. The company has confirmed compatibility with various soundbar models from 2022 to 2024, including the latest SxxTR and SxxTY series, ensuring a seamless experience for users seeking top-notch audio quality.

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  • Apple Music Could Provide Incentives for Artists and Record Labels to Embrace High-Quality Audio Format

    Apple Music Could Provide Incentives for Artists and Record Labels to Embrace High-Quality Audio Format

    Apple Music to Offer Dolby Atmos Streams for Enhanced Audio Experience

    Apple Music introduced spatial audio for the first time in 2021, utilizing Dolby Atmos technology to provide a more immersive and realistic sound experience for listeners. This format allows music to emanate from different directions around the listener’s head, replicating a lifelike and three-dimensional effect.

    According to a recent Bloomberg article, Apple Music plans to expand its offering by providing streams of songs in Dolby Atmos format, in addition to the standard stereo version. This move aims to make Dolby Atmos music more widely available and provide artists with larger royalties.

    Enhancing the Listening Experience with Spatial Audio

    With this development, Apple Music users can expect to hear more spatial audio tracks that offer a truly immersive listening experience. By using audio technology to create versions with spatial sound, musicians and record labels will receive higher royalties.

    Apple Music’s new approach also benefits artists and record labels as listeners do not necessarily need to engage with the Atmos version for the artists to be compensated. This means that even if users choose to listen to the standard stereo version, artists will still receive their fair share.

    Incentivizing High-End Audio Format Adoption

    The introduction of Dolby Atmos in Apple Music presents an opportunity for well-known musicians and record companies to participate and potentially increase their royalties. Atmos technology makes music mixing more cost-effective, making it an attractive option for artists and labels.

    However, Apple has yet to officially disclose the guidelines and rewards for using the new audio format. Currently, Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, iMacs, and AirPods support Dolby Atmos, allowing users to enjoy the enhanced audio experience.

    Expanding the Availability of Spatial Audio

    In addition to Apple Music, users of Amazon Inc.’s Music app can also enjoy free Dolby Atmos-compatible spatial audio as part of their subscriptions. This move by Apple Music could be a significant step, as Spotify has not yet enabled spatial audio on its platform.

    As Apple Music continues to innovate and enhance the listening experience, the introduction of Dolby Atmos streams demonstrates their commitment to providing high-quality audio and rewarding artists and record labels for their contributions.

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