‘Shazam for Brands’ Will Track User Activity to Launch Brand-Specific Ads

First making its name as the go-to app for music recognition software, Shazam has expanded into other media content like TV commercials, movie trailers, and radio ads in the past. This week, however, the company is officially announcing its push into brand-specific advertisement with a new initiative called “Shazam for Brands” (via AdAge).

Using data accumulated from how users interact with the app, and a company’s integrated brand advertisement, Shazam will attempt to pick out which artists and musical genre each brand should use to attract the widest swath of their particular audience. Before the official launch of Shazam for Brands, some of Shazam’s past partners have included Marvel Studios, Nike and Clinique. Those partners provided fans with experiences like Shazamable movie posters and interactive music videos.

“Advertising had always been secondary, but now we are putting it front and center,” said Greg Glenday, chief revenue officer at Shazam. “We are taking advertising seriously by adding stock and people. We sold ourselves short with the advertising industry by just selling banner ads and being transactional.”

With such data, a brand will be able to purchase the landing page of a specific Shazam, called “clickable listening screens,” so that their products can be displayed in conjunction with the a particular artist’s song. Glenday said the new ad-push for the company won’t bring any noticeable changes on the user side of things, and that all of Shazam’s fans “will still receive the results they want without interruption.”

Shazam for Brands will also allow the company’s partners to incorporate Shazam’s technology — using the same, traditional Shazam app — into their own marketing materials. For example, earlier in the month Coca-Cola introduced a Shazamable bottle design that prompted users to film a video of themselves lip-syncing to one of a handful of songs displayed on the drink’s label.

Furthermore, the company is looking to get into the live-event business, in a festival centered around up-and-coming artists set to open later in the year. Shazam intends to use beacon technology to create an event where each performer will be able to be discovered by the app. Following today’s launch, the company hasn’t said who its next major advertising and brand partner will be, but it has created a new Shazam for Brands Twitter account so users can follow its progress on the social network.

Shazam is available on the App Store for free [Direct Link]. Users can also download Shazam Encore for $6.99 [Direct Link], negating all of the company’s attempted advertisements.

Tag: Shazam
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Apple Watch Hermès Now Available in 17 More Cities

Apple Watch Hermès can now be purchased at Apple and Hermès stores, and select fashion boutiques, in an additional 17 cities as of this week.

In the U.S., the models are now available in Bellevue, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Portland, and Washington D.C. In Europe, the new cities include Barcelona, Brussels, Florence, Madrid, and Manchester.

Apple Watch Hermès has also expanded to Guangzhou, Macau, and Shenzhen in China, in addition to Melbourne, Australia and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Apple Watch Hermès has also been available for purchase online since January, while Apple began selling standalone Apple Watch Hermès bands through its online store yesterday for between $340 and $690 based on U.S. pricing.

(Thanks, Alan!)

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 2
Tag: Apple Watch Hermès
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories takes fantasy farming to a whole new level

Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories has made its debut on the Play Store, bringing the classic farming simulator to Android devices. You’re tasked with running a farm, which entails growing crops, flowers, and trees, as well as raising livestock, starting a family, upgrading your home, and much more.

Here’s what’s on offer:

• Grow a variety of crops, flowers, and trees! See if you can discover new kinds of mutations!
• Raise livestock like cows, sheep, and chickens!
• Take your horse for a jaunt around town!
• Take care of pets like your trusty dog!
• With 10 marriageable candidates — 5 guys and 5 gals — everyone will be able to find that special someone they’re looking for!
• Upgrade your tools to find the highest-quality items!
• Participate in contests and festivals like the Cooking Contest and Starry Night Festival!
• Excavate rare ore and crafting materials in the mine. How far can you go?

The game is now available on the Play Store for $10.

EU files formal antitrust charges against Google

The European Union has filed formal antitrust charges against Google regarding its Android operating system. The regulators state that by bundling its own services and making Google Search the default search engine on Android, Google has abused its dominant position, preventing other companies from competing in these segments.

From the press release:

The Commission’s preliminary view is that Google has implemented a strategy on mobile devices to preserve and strengthen its dominance in general internet search. First, the practices mean that Google Search is pre-installed and set as the default, or exclusive, search service on most Android devices sold in Europe.

Second, the practices appear to close off ways for rival search engines to access the market, via competing mobile browsers and operating systems. In addition, they also seem to harm consumers by stifling competition and restricting innovation in the wider mobile space.

A competitive mobile Internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe. Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google’s behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players.

The charges are the latest in a series of antitrust investigations the EU has aimed at Google. Last year, regulators accused Google of abusing its market position in online search, stating that the search giant favored its own comparison shopping service over the competition.

Today’s charges pose a significant threat to Google, as they target its mobile search business, which accounts for nearly half of its overall ad revenue. The EU has the power to fine Google up to 10% of its annual revenues, which could amount to a total of over $14 billion on these two cases.

Latest HTC 10 ad showcases the display, cameras and sound quality

It won’t be long before you can get your hands on an HTC 10, and the company is continuing to push out new marketing material for it. The latest ad shows off the best features of the smartphone, like the display, cameras and sound quality. Between the dramatic music and flashy animations, the video captures your attention and leaves you wanting more information.

Check out our HTC 10 review!

If you are interested in the HTC 10, you can already pre-order one for yourself from HTC directly. If you are waiting for it to arrive at your carrier, you’ll have a longer wait. Be sure to check out where you can buy an HTC 10 in the U.S., where to buy it in Canada, as well as in the UK.

Tech companies express ‘deep concerns’ about encryption bill in open letter to Senators

Four big tech coalitions have teamed up to write an open letter to two senators in opposition to a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to decrypt data for law enforcement on demand. Apple, Google, and Facebook are amongst the companies that these coalitions represent, and the letter expresses their “deep concerns” surrounding the proposed bill.

The letter is addressed to Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein, and is signed by Reform Government Surveillance, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, and the Entertainment Software Association. The full letter, which was posted online to the Reform Government Surveillance blog (via The Verge), can be read below.

Letter to Chairman Burr and Vice-Chairman Feinstein Regarding Encryption

April 19, 2016

The Honorable Richard Burr
Chairman
Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Vice-Chairman
Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Burr and Vice-Chairman Feinstein:

We write to express our deep concerns about well-intentioned but ultimately unworkable policies around encryption that would weaken the very defenses we need to protect us from people who want to cause economic and physical harm. We believe it is critical to the safety of the nation’s, and the world’s, information technology infrastructure for us all to avoid actions that will create government-mandated security vulnerabilities in our encryption systems.

As member companies whose innovations help to drive the success and growth of the digital economy, we understand the need to protect our users’ physical safety and the safety of their most private information. To serve both these interests, we adhere to two basic principles. First, we respond expeditiously to legal process and emergency requests for data from government agencies. Second, we design our systems and devices to include a variety of network- and device-based features, including but not limited to strong encryption. We do these things to protect users’ digital security in the face of threats from both criminals and governments.

Any mandatory decryption requirement, such as that included in the discussion draft of the bill that you authored, will to lead to unintended consequences. The effect of such a requirement will force companies to prioritize government access over other considerations, including digital security. As a result, when designing products or services, technology companies could be forced to make decisions that would create opportunities for exploitation by bad actors seeking to harm our customers and whom we all want to stop. The bill would force those providing digital communication and storage to ensure that digital data can be obtained in “intelligible” form by the government, pursuant to a court order. This mandate would mean that when a company or user has decided to use some encryption technologies, those technologies will have to be built to allow some third party to potentially have access. This access could, in turn, be exploited by bad actors.

It is also important to remember that such a technological mandate fails to account for the global nature of today’s technology. For example, no accessibility requirement can be limited to U.S. law enforcement; once it is required by the U.S., other governments will surely follow. In addition, the U.S. has no monopoly on these security measures. A law passed by Congress trying to restrict the use of data security measures will not prevent their use. It will only serve to push users to non-U.S. companies, in turn undermining the global competitiveness of the technology industry in the U.S. and resulting in more and more data being stored in other countries.

We support making sure that law enforcement has the legal authorities, resources, and training it needs to solve crime, prevent terrorism, and protect the public. However, those things must be carefully balanced to preserve our customers’ security and digital information. We are ready and willing to engage in dialogue about how to strike that balance, but remain concerned about efforts to prioritize one type of security over all others in a way that leads to unintended, negative consequences for the safety of our networks and our customers

Signed,
Reform Government Surveillance
Computer & Communications Industry Association
Internet Infrastructure Coalition (I2C)
The Entertainment Software Association

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): What’s the difference?

Considering the 12-inch Retina display MacBook was released last April it was due for a refresh and Apple hasn’t disappointed.

A new model has been announced and is now available to buy from Apple.com, Apple retail stores and select partners.

As before, there are a couple of variants you can purchase, depending on how beefy you want the processor and what storage size you require, so choices abound for new buyers. Current MacBook owners might also consider upgrading and want to know what they get for their money.

That’s why we’ve taken a look at the differences and specs to give you an idea of whether that would be worth it for you.

READ: Apple announces new MacBook line-up, rose gold version added

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Design

Physically, this year’s MacBook is identical to last year’s model. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference when looking at similarly coloured versions even when placed side by side.

It is still made from machined aluminium and is identical in shape, size and weight. As the 2015 edition, the update for 2016 is 131 x 280.5 x 196.5mm with the height also going down to 35mm at its thinnest edge.

It weighs 0.92kg.

The one major difference this time around is that Apple has added a new colour scheme to match its iPhone and iPad line-ups: rose gold.

The pink hued model is added to the same space grey, gold and silver variants also available last year.

Both MacBooks only come with a USB Type-C connection for power and external use. However, many third-party accessories are now available that can add Ethernet, microSD and USB ports.

READ: Apple MacBook review: Is port-free the future?

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Display

Like the design, the Retina display on both this and last year’s MacBooks is identical.

It is a 12-inch LED backlit display with IPS technology. Resolution is 2304 x 1440 (226ppi) and it features a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Processor

The main changes between the MacBook 2016 edition and the last version start with the processor. Last year, the entry level model offered a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor that used Apple’s Turbo Boost tech to get up to 2.4GHz.

The entry level model this time has a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor, but weirdly the Turbo Boost ability is quoted at 2.2GHz.

The higher spec’ed edition fares a little better. It featured a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor last year, with Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz.

The new model has a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor, with Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz.

As with last year, you can also specify a faster processor still, when bought from Apple.com and chosen at checkout. Last year that was a 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz. This year’s MacBook can be specified with a 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz.

It’s worth noting that the latest round of Intel Skylake processors are better in other ways too, it’s not just about the clock speed. Power management is thought to be one benefit, for example.

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Graphics

Graphics processing has also been improved on the new MacBook. Potentially, this could be the most noticeable upgrade, in fact.

Last year, the MacBook utilised the Intel HD Graphics 5300 chip, while this year that has been swapped for the more recent Intel HD Graphics HD 515 GPU.

Apple claims it is 25 per cent faster year-on-year. It also now decodes H.265/HEVC video on the chip itself, so should take some strain away from other processes when playing back high resolution video.

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Storage and memory

The storage options offered are identical between models. Like last year, the entry level model comes with 256GB of PCI-e flash storage, while the higher end MacBook comes with 512GB.

There is a difference in RAM though, which will affect speed of operation.

While the amount of RAM is the same – 8GB – this year Apple is using 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory. Last year the speed of the RAM was limited to 1600MHz. 

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Battery and power

Apple also claims that the battery life of the latest MacBook is longer than its predecessor. It states that you can get up to 10 hours of wireless web usage, in preference to the nine hours quoted last year.

That also equates to 11 hours of iTunes movie playback over the last model’s quoted 10 hours.

That’s partly thanks to a bigger built-in battery; it is now 41.4 watt-hour over the 39.7 watt-hour version in the 2015 device. It can also be credited to slightly better power management of the updated components.

Apple MacBook (2016) vs MacBook (2015): Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it, this year’s MacBook is better than last. However, it isn’t a massive leap and in some cases, it is identical.

You will notice a speed boost in using applications and software. Some games might run a bit better too, if that’s your bag. But changes will be fractional and you have to consider whether it is worth shelling out over a grand on a few minor upgrades.

The price is identical this year, with the MacBook starting at £1,049 for the 256GB model, rising to £1,299 for the 512GB edition. You can also chuck an extra £120 on top of either if you want the highest spec’ed processor.

If you haven’t yet got a MacBook and are in the market, it’s a no brainer. That is unless you see one of last year’s versions second-hand for around £500-600. That would still represent a bargain, we feel.

Motorola Moto G (2016) release date, rumours and everything you need to know

Motorola can be a complicated beast these days. For a start it’s owned by Lenovo but still sporting the Motorola Moto naming. Then there are all the models.

At the top end there’s the Motorola Moto X, which comes in X Force, X Play and X Style variants. Then there’s the Moto E at the bottom end, for an affordable offering. Bang in the middle is the Moto G, which was at its third generation in 2015. Now there’s a new fourth gen model expected for 2016.

The rumour mill has churned up to speed and is currently spitting out teasers for the Motorola Moto G for 2016. We’ve compiled everything there is to know so far and will be updating this feature as news comes in, so you know exactly what to expect.

Motorola Moto G (2016): Price and release date

Motorola took the wraps off last year’s Moto G update in July. Rumours for the Moto G (2016) began to appear near the start of 2016.

While the Lenovo owned company may change release schedule to suit the wide array of phones it now offers we’re inclined to expect another July unveil for the Moto G (2016).

Pricing is going to sit the Moto G (2016) between the Moto X and Moto E meaning it should be around the £150 mark, as the current third gen Moto G is priced.

nowhereelse

Motorola Moto G (2016): Design and build

The Motorola Moto G for 2016 has leaked in images shared by nowhereelse (above) showing the handset from the front and the back.

The leaked shots show that the Moto G (2016) will feature a physical square home button on the front. Rumours suggest this will double as a fingerprint reader, making that a first for the Moto G range.

The front appears to have a flat glass display that runs off into the metallic, or at least metallic looking, frame. Gone are the top and bottom silver coloured speaker lines of the previous generation too.

HelloMotoHK

The rear of the handset appears to feature a removable polycarbonate case with rounded edges. Another leak, from Hong Kong (above), shows a keyring holding together a selection of varying rear cases. This would suggest case options for personalisation will be an focus for Moto.

This is all backed up by a render shared by Evan Blass (top) showing the Moto G (2016) in white.

Andro4all

However, a leaked image from Spanish site andro4all shows what it claims is the Moto G for 2016 without a physical home button at all. This photo looks real and the handset even looks very like previous leaks, minus the fingerprint reader. Current theories suggest there will be two variants of the Moto G, one with a fingerprint reader and one without. Other specs are also expected to varying which will be reflected in a price difference. 

Motorola Moto G (2016): Display

The third-gen Moto G for 2015 featured a 5-inch 1280 x 720 resolution display. Now that smartphones with 1080p screens are prevalent, hopes are set on a resolution bump for 2016.

Judging from the leaked photos, the Moto G (2016) may be slightly larger than the 5-inch mark to offer more screen space.

Motorola Moto G (2016): Camera

Motorola packed a hefty 21-megapixel camera into the Moto X for 2015 while the Moto G for 2015 had an 8-megapixel snapper with HDR.

As camera modules drop in price it’s likely the Moto G (2016) will get an upgraded snapper in the rear and hopefully a decent front-facing selfie camera.

Rumours suggest the camera will be the same 16-megapixel module found in the LG G5 meaning and f/1.8 aperture with 28mm equivalent focal length. We’re taking this with a pinch of salt as there’s a chance the rumour mill is touting the Moto X (2016) camera here.

HelloMotoHK

Motorola Moto G (2016): Hardware power and performance

The Moto G (2016) will almost certainly come with 4G connectivity, as the generation before it did. It should also come with better specs than the third-gen 2015 model which topped out with a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 1GB of RAM.

Motorola Moto G (2016): Software

The Motorola Moto G (2016) should come with Google’s Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, at least.

While Android N is on the way we’d expect this to follow as a software update for the handset later in the year.

Motorola Moto G (2016): First impressions

The Motorola Moto G (2016) should help to enhance the mid range offering from the Lenovo owned company. But with plenty of competition in this area of the market it’s going to be all about the best specs for lowest price.

It will be interesting to see two variants in the mid-range, if they appear. That will put a lot of Motorola Moto options on the market making Lenovo’s phone offerings massive.

Europe starts antitrust proceedings with Google over Android

The day Google feared has finally come: The European Commission has filed formal charges against the search giant for anti-competitive behavior related to Android. The European Union’s commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, has been officially probing the platform, trying to establish whether Google was abusing its dominant position in the market by preventing or hindering competitors from developing Android forks, rival applications and services. Almost exactly a year after opening the formally opening the investigation, Vestager has decided the answer to those three questions is essentially “yes.”

In a Statement of Objections issued today, the European Commission says that Google breached antitrust rules by ‘requiring manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Google’s Chrome browser and requiring them to set Google Search as default search service on their devices, as a condition to license certain Google proprietary apps;” by “preventing manufacturers from selling smart mobile devices running on competing operating systems based on the Android open source code;” and by “giving financial incentives to manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.”

The statement goes into more detail on each point. It says Google makes companies sign contracts that require the Play Store to be pre-installed on devices in order for Search access. It says Google makes companies sign contracts that require Chrome to be pre-installed on devices in order for Play Store access. Tangling the services together ensures, for example, that Chrome “is pre-installed on the significant majority of devices sold in the EEA.”

The commission calls out an “Anti-Fragmentation Agreement”

Interestingly, the commission calls out an “Anti-Fragmentation Agreement,” which companies must sign if they want Google’s apps, that prevents them from selling any device running an Android fork. It also says that Google “has granted significant financial incentives to some of the largest smartphone and tablet manufacturers as well as mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices,” although does not give any concrete figure regarding those incentives.

It goes on to note that there’s no issue with financial incentives, but rather “with the conditions associated with Google’s financial incentives, in particular with the condition that the financial incentive is not paid if any other search provider than Google Search is pre-installed on smart mobile devices.”

Google was obviously prepared for this day. It released a response within seconds of the Statement of Objections, titled “Android’s Model of Open Innovation.” In it, Google says Android is offered in a “careful way” that’s ultimately “good for competition and for consumers.” We’ve reached out to the company for more reaction to the decision, and will update this article with any further information we receive.

Today’s announcement doesn’t affect Europe’s other antitrust case against Google. The commission laid out its objections last year to Google’s search practices, specifically that it uses its enviable position to push users towards its own services like Google Shopping.

President Obama has all-but accused the EU of protectionism

That probe has drawn the ire of many in the US, including President Obama, who all-but accused the EU of protectionism. Speaking with Recode, Obama said that “sometimes the European response here is more commercially driven than anything else.” He added that “oftentimes what [are] portrayed as high-minded positions on issues sometimes [are] just designed to carve out some of their commercial interests.” It’s unlikely that Obama, or any other detractors, are going to be very pleased with the Commission moving forward with a second case.

If you want an idea of how fast these investigations move, the Google Shopping investigation has been in the works for over six years now. Vestager prefers to work with companies, rather than against them, using the threat of ten-figure fines to persuade them into changing behavior. (With the two cases combined, Google’s actually facing an eleven-figure fine closer to $15 billion). So, expect Google and the EU to argue a lot about the details, and eventually come to an agreement sometime next decade.

Update: Vestager has given a full statement explaining some of the reasoning behind today’s decision in more human language than the official Statement of Objections. You can read the whole thing yourself, but here are some choice excerpts:

“Smartphones and tablets play a key role in our lives. Every day we use them to read the news, shop online and check the weather forecast. About 80% of those devices in Europe and the world run on Android. This number is even higher for smartphones and tablets in the lower price range, which the majority of European consumers buy.”

“Google has shares of over 90% in Europe in the markets for general internet search services, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for the Android operating system. This is, as such, not a problem under EU competition law. However, dominant companies have a responsibility not to abuse their powerful market position by restricting competition.”

“Our preliminary view is that Google has abused its dominant positions in these three markets. Its strategy to protect and strengthen its dominance in general internet search has two main elements: First, the practices mean that Google Search is pre-installed and set as the default, or exclusive, search service on most Android devices sold in Europe. Second, the practices close off ways for rival search engines to access the market, via competing mobile browsers and operating systems.”

“If the Commission comes to the conclusion that EU antitrust rules have been breached, companies have to change the way they do business and may face fines. This is necessary to effectively protect European consumers but, of course, also means that the rights of defence of the company concerned must be fully respected.”

“To be clear, this is an interim step and not the end of the road – Google now has 12 weeks to respond, and it also has the possibility to request an oral hearing to present its views. I will carefully consider Google’s arguments before deciding how to proceed.”

Source: Google, Europa

China’s LeEco teases its very own autonomous electric car

LeEco really wants the world to know it isn’t just about TVs and smartphones. After the announcements of its investment in Faraday Future and Aston Martin earlier this year, today LeEco showed off its very first electric car that actually moves. The LeSEE vehicle was driven out of a container from one end of the stage, and later, CEO Jia Yueting did a live demo of its self-driving and self-parking capability using voice commands via a mobile app, albeit moving in low speed due to the limited space, as you can see in the video after the break. There’s no mention of specs and the English subtitles suggest that this is more of a concept car at the moment, but it does appear to be a solid start.

As an investor of China’s car-hailing app Yidao Yongche, LeEco envisions its future LeSEE cars to form a fleet of autonomous taxis, with their front lights indicating their availability using various colors. In the official video, the car has conventional front doors and rear suicide doors, and somehow, the back seats can apparently adapt to the shape of the passengers’ bodies — yep, smells like a concept. There are, however, touchscreens behind the front seats which can obviously take advantage of LeEco’s rich video entertainment. Jia added that the car will also do face recognition and self-learning, but we’ll have to wait for a future demo on those.

The first LeSEE electric car will make its proper debut at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24th, and there’s any new info to share then, we’ll keep y’all posted.