Spotify

The best way to discover new music

Finding new music has never been easier, and music podcasts are my favorite discovery path. I prefer shows with hosts that put music in context. That's why I like discussion and music sets, and occasional interviews with musicians and live performances. The shows listed below (for the most part) can be downloaded and played back when you're ready to hear them.

WNYC's John Schaefer has two daily programs, Soundcheck, which features a wide mix of music genres, interviews, and live-on-the-radio performances; and New Sounds, which, if anything, covers an even wider range of music styles. Each episode … Read more

Rdio said to offer the U.K. and France music streaming

On the up and up, Rdio music streaming service continues to grow. Now it looks like the company is expanding into two new countries, the U.K. and France, according to The Verge.

"Just launched in the U.K. and France apparently," Rdio developer Ian McKeller tweeted earlier today. "Happy now?" He was responding to another Twitter user who apparently leaked the news.

According to The Verge, there are other reports of Rdio moving into the U.K. and France and that initially it will offering people an unlimited listening free trial for seven days. However, … Read more

The buzz over BlackBerry's keyboard

In today's show, we're flowing through apps, fixing our faces and keeping track of the roomie's tab:

At the BlackBerry World conference in Orlando, we learn more details on the BlackBerry 10 operating system. The interface has a multitasking feature called Flow View and the camera has a time-bending feature that can make sure everyone in a photo looks their best.

And though Research in Motion is pushing it's new virtual keyboard, the CEO made it clear today that the company is not abandoning physical keys. After this new all-touchscreen model is released later in the … Read more

Spotify releases iPad app: Hands-on

Spotify has released its first official iPad app today, with what a Spotify exec describes as "the most beautiful screen we've made for a Spotify app."

Spotify has previously released apps for PC, Mac, and Android with a tablet-compatible Android version to be expected "in the coming weeks," according to Charlie Hellman, Spotify's director of product development.

The app adds a dedicated Inbox icon grouped by user to access messages, Cover Flow-style navigation of playlists, and gapless playback and DJ-style crossfade.… Read more

Sync your music files to Spotify on iPhone

Spotify's Android users have it easy. In the Android version of the app, Spotify can just peek at whatever music files you have loaded on your phone and allow you to play them alongside any songs from its streaming library.

But because Apple is very particular about third-party apps accessing iTunes content, the Spotify app on the iPhone has to jump through a few extra hoops to accomplish the same feat.

The payoff? Well, if you love using the Spotify app and resent having to jump out of it to hear songs from your personal collection, you can now … Read more

The 404 1,043: Where we advocate hacking (podcast)

Our old friend Andrew Mager joins us in the studio this morning to tell us what it takes to earn the role of Hacker Advocate over at Spotify.

He'll also give us a live demo of some of the popular apps you can download for Spotify that help you discover new music, browse music lyrics, read more about your favorite artists, scan your albums using a Web cam, and more. Somewhere during this episode, we also decide to start a four-man band, so let us know what you think our name should be.… Read more

Can Groupon grow up?

Every weekday afternoon, CNET Update delivers the top tech stories of the day. The show keeps a close eye on emerging trends, hot devices and new apps. And it's all in less than three minutes.

In today's show, we speculate on Spotify, shop online with cash, and crack open a beer to look mature:

It seems the controversial cyber security bill CISPA (short for Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act) is on shaky ground. The White House threatened to veto the bill, saying it endangers the privacy of Americans and gives Homeland Security too much power.

Groupon's … Read more

Spotify reportedly creating online radio station to rival Pandora

Is Spotify looking to beat Pandora at its own online radio game?

The streaming music provider may be building an online radio service that could rival that of Pandora, according to Bloomberg.

Citing "two people with knowledge of the situation," Bloomberg said the new service would launch before the end of the year and be funded by advertising. Spotify has just begun informing content partners about the new service, according to the sources.

Spotify currently works as a downloadable application that provides access to your local music libraries and lets you search for and play music online. Users … Read more

Spotify for Android gets overhaul, includes Android 4.0 support

Spotify users with Android devices are being treated to a new and improved app.

The streaming-music service announced today that it has completely overhauled its Android application, delivering an entirely new design and slide-out navigation designed to improve usability. The application comes with a black-and-white design and includes high-resolution artist imagery to add some color. According to Spotify, the app also includes more social features than its predecessor, letting users check out friends' profile pages and playlists.

The new Spotify Android app includes full Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) support. In addition, related-artists viewing is available for the first … Read more