Philips Announces New HomeKit-Compatible White Ambiance Hue Lighting Set
Philips today announced a new HomeKit-compatible Hue-branded lighting product, the Philips Hue White Ambiance. Like the standard Philips Hue lighting set, the White Ambiance ships with a HomeKit hub and bulbs, but it’s aimed at people who want adjustable white light without a multitude of color options.
The Wi-Fi-connected White Ambiance bulbs feature “every shade of white light,” from 6500k daylight to 2200k warm light, and they can be adjusted automatically throughout the day using light recipes, routines, and HomeKit scenes in the recently released Philips Hue app. The bulbs, rated at 800 lumens at 4000k, can also be controlled through HomeKit using Siri voice commands.
“We know how important white light is in the home; it is similar to natural day light and can help us to focus, feel more alert as well as wind down at night” says Sridhar Kumaraswamy, Business Leader Connected Home Systems at Philips Lighting. “With Philips Hue white ambiance, we are delivering a high quality connected light bulb that delivers the full spectrum of white light at the swipe of a finger, allowing consumers to fully benefit from the impact that white light can have on their wellbeing when at home.”
Philips’ White Ambiance Hue starter kit includes two Philips Hue white ambiance bulbs, a HomeKit-compatible bridge, and one wireless dimming switch that allows lights to be controlled from anywhere in the house without the need to open the iPhone app. The new Hue starter kit joins the standard kit that includes bulbs adjustable to any color or any shade of white and a simpler kit with white bulbs that are unable to be adjusted to different shades.
At $129.95 for the entire kit and $29.95 for a single bulb, the Philips Hue White Ambiance kit is more affordable than the standard Hue lighting kit, which is priced at $199 for the initial bridge and bulbs and $59.95 for individual bulbs. The White Ambiance starter kit is available from the Philips website starting today.
Tags: Philips, Philips Hue
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OLED Supplier Sees Fourfold Leap in Orders as Apple Gears Up for 2017 iPhone
As Apple gears up to introduce OLED displays in the 2017 iPhone, the impact is already being felt in the company’s supply chain. During a recent earnings call, Applied Materials, a company that creates equipment for making displays, reported a fourfold increase in orders.
According to Bloomberg, the growing demand for new display manufacturing equipment from Applied Materials serves as evidence that display makers are retooling their processes to produce OLED displays for Apple’s line of iPhones in 2017.
Edge-to-edge iPhone concept image via ConceptsiPhone
Applied Materials executives did not mention Apple by name during the earnings call, but CEO Gary Dickerson dropped some hints in a statement given to Bloomberg, pointing towards long term, sustainable growth and naming the “leader” of mobile products.
“It’s not a peak or a one-time event,” said Applied Materials Chief Executive Officer Gary Dickerson. “This is going to be sustainable growth. We all know who is the leader in terms of mobile products.”
Applied Materials says it takes as long as three quarters to build, deliver, and install its machines, so a ramp up in purchases now means display suppliers are preparing to make some major changes in the coming months.
There are a wealth of rumors suggesting Apple will debut OLED displays in the 2017 iPhone. Apple has already inked a deal with Samsung to secure 5.8-inch OLED displays for future iPhones, and the company may also be preparing to purchase displays from suppliers like AU Optronics, LG Display, and Sharp. Apple is the largest customer for Sharp, LG Display, and Samsung, and all three companies have ramped up display spending in recent months, according to Bloomberg.
An OLED display would eliminate the need for the backlighting that’s used in traditional LCDs, allowing Apple to cut down on the thickness and weight of the display used in the iPhone 7. OLED displays also offer better contrast ratio, truer colors, improved viewing angles, better power efficiency to maximize battery life, and a faster response time than an LCD for faster refresh rates.
While the 2017 iPhone is more than a year away, there have already been dozens of rumors about the device due to the significant changes Apple is planning to introduce. Some of the features rumored for the 2017 iPhone (perhaps called the “iPhone 8”) include wireless charging, an edge-to-edge bezel-free display with an integrated Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a glass body, and more advanced biometric features.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8 (2017)
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Will.i.am’s ‘i.am+ EPs’ Wireless Earphones Debut Exclusively at Apple Stores
i.am+, the company founded by musician will.i.am, recently announced the launch of its new i.am+ EPs, a set of premium Bluetooth earphones that are available exclusively from Apple retail stores and Apple.com.
Featuring a design inspired by the “iconic shape of vinyl records” and targeted at those interested in fashion, the EPs include circular ear pieces made of spun metal and are connected by a woven fabric cord. Because they connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth 2.0 and have a 30-foot range, there’s no cord to plug them into a headphone jack or Lightning port.
The EPs are available in black or gold, and when not being used for listening to music, they can be worn around the neck for quick access. When worn, the EPs click together using built-in magnets so they stay in place. There’s a built-in remote control for adjusting volume and there’s a microphone that can be used to make phone calls.
Packing plenty of style, the i.am+ EPs Bluetooth wireless headphones deliver superior surround sound and deep bass to truly represent the music on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The metallic discs clasp around your neck for all-day wear. Their lightweight, no-fuss form means no interruption to your music or flow. So easy, so fresh, they’ll quickly become an everyday essential to complement your wardrobe.
A microUSB port located on the remote charges the EPs, and the battery is rated to last up to eight hours before needing to be recharged.
The iam+ EPs are available immediately from Apple.com for $229.95. They are also available for purchase from a select number of brick and mortar Apple Stores.
Tags: Apple Stores, i.am+
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OnePlus 3 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
OnePlus is getting ready to launch its fourth smartphone, an exciting event for the young brand’s fervent followers. The OnePlus lineup (One, 2, X and now 3) is known for challenging larger, better-known competitors with hardware whose middle-to-high specs come in at much lower prices than your typical top-dollar superphone. For some, the OnePlus 3 will battle the iPhone SE, just-announced Motorola G4 phones, Nexus 6P, and maybe even the upmarket LG G5 or Samsung Galaxy S7.
Here are the most important things we know so far.
The OnePlus 3 could look like this.
Evan Blass/Twitter
The name’s a sure thing
OnePlus is already using the name OnePlus 3 on its public channels, so there’s no dangling question mark there.
The OnePlus 3 will launch over VR
Just like last year, OnePlus is going to announce its next phone in virtual reality. Specifically, in outer space, focusing on a futuristic OnePlus headquarters/space station called The Loop. In anticipation of this VR launch, the phonemaker is shipping 30,000 Loop VR headsets to fans for free — and at the time of writing, they’re already out of stock.
VR-watchers can buy it first
OnePlus also announced that people who watch the keynote in VR will get first dibs ordering the phone directly from the Loop headset. Everyone else will have to wait. OnePlus didn’t say for how long, but the company is (in)famous for hosting limited sales windows to both drum up excitement and control a more limited supply than competitors.
It’ll launch by June
In February, we found out first that OnePlus would reveal the OnePlus 3 by June, and so far, the timeline works out.
Getting one of these Loop VR headsets puts you at the front of the line for ordering the OnePlus 3 phone first.
OnePlus
It’ll look different than the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X
If you’re worried that the OnePlus 3 will rehash 2015’s two models, pause your fretting. Co-founder Carl Pei told CNET in February that this forthcoming flagship will feature a “new design.”
According to an image posted by Evan Blass, now with Venture Beat — who has built a reputation for reliably breaking stories through his Twitter handle @evleaks — the OnePlus 3 looks like it has a silvery metal build and some detailing that’s reminiscent of the HTC 10.
You can see the signature OnePlus notifications slider along the phone’s left edge.
The OnePlus 3 could have an AMOLED screen and 3,000mAh battery
Blass’ tweet also claims that the OnePlus 3 will have a screen using AMOLED display technology (versus an LCD screen), a material that’s known for saving battery while boosting contrast (making blacks blacker). Rumors from around the Internet also point to a 3,000mAh battery and two versions of the phone: one with 32GB of internal storage and 4GB RAM and one with 64GB of storage and 6GB of RAM.
Other rumored specs
We don’t know any of this yet for sure (because these are rumors), but hardware could also include:
- 5-inch, 1080p display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow software
- 16-megapixel rear camera
- 8-megapixel front-facing camera
- NFC (for mobile payments)
Pricing
Since the OnePlus 2 came it at about $330 and £240 (which converts to roughly AU$460), we can guess that the OnePlus 3 will land in about the same bracket. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see the price hike up a tad if it does wind up including more premium features, but undercutting the likes of Samsung and LG is too important to OnePlus’ sales strategy to really see costs climb.
It’ll sell in the US and other markets unlocked and shipping will be free
As co-founder Pei told CNET in February, the OnePlus 3 will arrive in the US and other markets as an unlocked phone and will be sold directly through OnePlus’ site. OnePlus has gotten flak for making phones hard to buy, which is why OnePlus is working on a “better buying process” that extends to credit card payments (not just PayPal), Pei told CNET. Like last year, the phone will ship to you for free.
More to come
We’ll update this as more facts come in, so check back! Meanwhile, be sure to brush up on our reviews of the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X.
LG G5 vs LG V10
LG introduced a new smartphone series late last year, in an attempt to get a bigger foothold in the premium smartphone market. The first of the series, the LG V10, brought with a durable build and some new hardware features, along with a unique take a secondary display experience.
- LG G5 review
- LG V10 review
Of course, that doesn’t mean their flagship G series has been forgotten, with the latest offering released this year introducing a dramatic departure from the norm for LG. A full metal construction and changes to the design language, while different for LG, may have been expected, but what makes the LG G5 stand out from the crowd is its unique modular capabilities.
Buy the LG G5 now!
Buy the LG V10 now!
Both the G5 and V10 are undoubtedly two of the best smartphones LG has ever released, but how do they fare when pit against each other? That’s what we find out, as we take an in-depth look at the LG G5 vs LG V10!
Design
While the LG G5 brought with a complete overhaul to the design and build quality, it was with the V10 that LG first experimented with different build materials and introduced metal to the mix, making it very different from any LG smartphone we had seen before it. The LG V10 comes with sides that are made of 316L stainless steel, and a body that is wrapped in DuraSkin, which is a sturdy, high quality silicone that is soft to the touch, and allows for a lot of grip.
These new material choices make for an extremely durable device, with the V10 being MIL-STD-810G certified for shock resistance. If you are someone who finds themselves to be dropping their phones often, or if your work or lifestyle requires a durable smartphone, the LG V10 is a great option. As you can see in our LG V10 drop test, the device will manage to survive an average drop far better than most other smartphones out there.
See also: LG V10 durability drop test31
On the other hand, the LG G5 comes with a full metal construction, but the use of layer of primer and paint coating has not been without controversy, and does make the device feel less premium than its metal counterparts. A key change to design language has been with regards to the signature rear button layout seen with previous LG flagships, including the V10. While the power button remains on the back, the volume rocker has been moved to a more traditional position on the side. This change isn’t going to be difficult to get used to per se, but some may miss the iconic design and button placement, and it is somewhat disappointing to see LG no longer have that available.
Of course, the other big change with the LG G5 is the modular design it now employs, which means that you can remove the bottom portion, and remove the battery to plug it into other attachments that add different functionality to the phone. This means that LG also continues to offer staple features like a removable battery with the G5, despite the move to a metal build. Needless to say, you also get a replaceable battery with the V10, accessible via the removable back cover.
The DuraSkin material allows for a lot of grip, which is especially important in the case of the V10, which proves to be quite big and unwieldy. The device isn’t necessarily bulky, but it is a wide and tall phone, and even if you are used to larger smartphones like the Galaxy Note 5 or Nexus 6P, handling the V10 can take some getting used to. If LG does decide to continue with the V series and release a successor for the V10, a smaller overall footprint would certainly be a big selling point.
Display
The LG V10 features a primary 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 515 ppi, while the LG G5 comes with a 5.3-inch display with the same underlying technology and screen resolution, resulting in a slightly higher pixel density of 554 ppi. Both displays are nothing short of what is expected from LG, and allow for great viewing experiences. However, media consumption and gaming-centric users will certainly appreciate the additional display real estate that is available with the V10.
The unique feature of the LG V10 is the secondary screen that is available at the top of the display, and is actually one of the contributing factors to large size of this phone, with both displays combined giving the device the height that you’d see from a smartphone with a 6-inch display.
This second screen brings a lot of useful functionality to the table, including allowing for access to quick settings toggles, application shortcuts, recently-opened apps, and more. All your notifications will also be seen only on this screen, instead of popping up on the main display. The second screen works independently from the main display, allowing for a little bit of battery saving when looking at your notifications or other information.
Performance and hardware
With the LG G5 being the newer of the two, its not surprising that the 2016 flagship comes with the latest and greatest internals that are currently available. The LG G5 comes with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, clocked at 2.15 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 530 GPU and 4 GB of RAM. On the other hand, the LG V10 is powered by the older hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, clocked at 1.82 GHz, with an Adreno 418 GPU and 4 GB of RAM.
While the Snapdragon 808 is older, there isn’t a lot of difference you will see in terms of everyday performance. Granted, the LG G5 will comfortably beat the V10 when comparing benchmark test results, but when it comes to real world usage, that includes opening and closing applications, playing games, watching videos, surfing the web, using the camera, and other regular activities, the V10 remains fast and reliable.
See also: LG G5 battery life review51
The LG V10 comes with a slightly larger 3,000 mAh battery, compared to the 2,800 mAh unit available with the LG G5. As far as battery life is concerned, both are are just about above average performers, and while it is possible to comfortably get a full day of use out of either device, even with heavier usage, you won’t get a whole lot more than that.
As has been a staple feature with all LG smartphones, both the G5 and V10 come with removable batteries, so if you are worried about running out of battery, you always have the option of carrying around spares. Both smartphones also come with fast charging capabilities to get you up and running in a short amount of time, Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 in the case of the V10, and QC 3.0 in the case of the G5, which also comes with a USB Type C (USB 3.0) port.
See also: LG G5 feature focus: modules and peripherals32
The reason the battery of the G5 is still removable, despite the move to a metal build, is because the bottom chin can be removed by the simple press of a button, and allows you to attach different modules in its place. Some of these modules, which LG calls “Friends,” include the Cam Plus, a camera grip with physical button and controls, and a Bang & Olufsen Hi-fi audio DAC, that provides higher quality audio. As we’ve said before, while the availability of these modules and the modular capabilities of the G5 do help make it different, this hasn’t proven to be a must have feature yet.
Camera
Both the LG G5 and V10 are unique when it comes their respective cameras, with both devices adopting dual camera setups, but in entirely different ways. While the V10 comes with two 5 MP cameras up front – one of which is of the wide angle variet – the G5 uses the same on the back; it features a 16 MP standard sensor, which is almost identical to the 16 MP rear camera of the V10, and is coupled with a secondary wide-angle 8 MP unit with 135-degree field of view.
The front-facing setup of the V10 allows you to take a lot of fun wide-angle selfies, and if you are looking to fit more people into the scene, or just more of the background, you can do so. This setup is great if you are into vlogging as well, and it is very easy to switch between the two front-facing cameras once you figure out the type of shot you want to take.
The second camera on the G5 allows it to capture 135 degree wide-angle shots and, unlike the V10 where you have to manually switch between the two cameras, the G5 automatically switches camera as you zoom in and out of a scene. The secondary camera allows for some fantastic-looking wide-angle shots, and the camera is a lot of fun to play around with. As Josh found at SXSW, the wide-angle camera on the G5 can be great for vlogging once you flip the phone around.
One thing that isn’t available with the G5 is the robust video pro mode that is found with V10. Having granular control over various aspects while recording video is a huge plus, and while it has surprisingly been left out with the G5, it’s something that LG might want to offer exclusively with the V series.
LG G5 camera samples:
As far as image quality goes, it is a toss up between the two, with the real difference between the two phones coming down to do the modes and features they offer. Both phone cameras are capable of taking excellent photos, and LG has done a really good job in the camera department with their recent flagships. Pictures taken with the G5 camera have slightly higher contrast, but as far as detail and other aspects go, things are pretty similar, given that these devices have identical sensors and similar post-processing.
LG V10 camera samples:
When choosing between these two smartphones, what it comes down to is whether you will have more use out of a wide angle lens up front or on the back, and how important the manual video that is available with the V10 is to you. Either way, you are going to have a lot of fun with either of these cameras.
Software
On the software side of things, there isn’t a whole lot that is different between the two experiences, given that they are both LG smartphones. The V10 runs an older version of the LG UI, so you do get features like Multi Window, Smart Bulletin, and the QSlide apps, and it is up to you as to how useful you ultimately find them. These features do make the software experience feel a little bloated, and adding to this problem is the slew of LG applications that are pre-installed on the device. What does prove to be very useful is the secondary screen up top and all the functionality that is available with it.
LG has toned things down significantly with the G5. Multi Window is no longer available, but the other two features can still be found, but are better hidden now. One controversial decision on the part of LG was the removal of the app drawer, but that is now back following a software update, and makes the software packages on both smartphones quite similar.
Specs comparison
| Display | 5.3-inch IPS LCD display Quad HD resolution, 554 ppi |
Main: 5.7-inch IPS Quantum Display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 515 ppi Secondary: 2.1-inch IPS Quantum Display with 160 x 1040 resolution, 515 ppi |
| Processor | 2.15 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Adreno 530 GPU |
1.82 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Adreno 418 GPU |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB expandable via microSD card by up to 200 GB |
64 GB expandable via microSD card by up to 200 GB |
| Camera | 16 MP rear camera, f/1.8 aperture, OIS 8 MP rear camera, wide angle lens, f/2.4 aperture, OIS 8 MP front-facing camera |
16 MP rear camera with OIS 5 MP dual front-facing cameras |
| Battery | 2,800 mAh | 3,000 mAh |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Dimensions | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm 159 grams |
159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6 mm 192 grams |
Gallery
Final thoughts
So there you have it for this closer look at the LG G5 vs LG V10! These are two of the best smartphones that have been released by LG. On one hand is the current flagship offering, and is a solid smartphone with a couple of very unique features, such as its modular capabilities a dual camera setup on the back, which make this phone stand out from the crowd.
On the other side is the V10, which features a further refining of their previously signature design language, a durable body, and a unique front-facing dual camera setup. If LG does decide to continue the V series, we can certainly expect the successor of the V10 to impress as well.
- LG G5 review
- LG V10 review
Which smartphone is your pick of these two and is the G5 is a worthy upgrade over the V10 or does LG’s phablet flagship still reign supreme? Vote in our poll, check out both reviews above and let us know your views in the comments below!
Buy the LG G5 now!
Buy the LG V10 now!
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
Watch Xiaomi tease first Mi Drone in new video ahead of 25 May launch
Xiaomi quietly revealed a few days ago it was about to unveil a drone, and now the Chinese company has posted a teaser video for the product.
The drone will be the company’s first, and it’s thought to be called Mi Drone. We know this because Xiaomi published a forum post last week to announce it will unveil a drone on 25 May – and it included a rendered image of the product along with the name “Mi Drone” (though it also asked fans to guess what the drone might be called). Now, we have a short video to complement Xiaomi’s announcement from last week.
AndroidCentral discovered the video on Chinese streaming site Youku. Unlike Xiaomi’s previous teaser image from its online forum, the drone in this video appears to be white instead of black. It also seems to be a quadcopter with a spherical camera that sits below the chassis. If other leaks are true, this device can record 4K video and is controlled by app. We should know for sure on 25 May, when Xiaomi unveils its drone.
Keep in mind Xiaomi had a patent document filed in August that details a drone which can be control via the Mi Band. According to the patent, you’ll be able to wear the band and then control the drone by performing various gestures. Who knows if this technology has been included in Xiaomi’s upcoming drone, though the company confirmed in its forum that “something wonderful and cool is flying to us very soon”.
May has been a big month for Xiaomi. It launched a mammoth 6.44-inch Mi Max smartphone, announced a Mi Box set-top box capable of piping 4K content, and revealed it will build a virtual-reality smartphone that supports Google’s Daydream platform. Not stopping there, it now seems to be going after the drone market, with a Mi Drone that might wirelessly connect to its existing Mi Band.
Xiaomi will livestream its 25 May event at 7 am EST on Mi.com.
Spotify’s Family Plan is much cheaper now: Here’s what you need to know
Spotify has upgraded its family plan pricing in order to match not only Apple Music but also Google Play Music.
The music-streaming service now charges $14.99 a month for up to six Premium accounts per family. Apple Music’s family plan similarly costs $14.99 for up to six people per family, and Google Play Music – which changed its family plan pricing in December – charges the same as well.
The Spotify Family Plan debuted in 2014 and originally started at $14.99 for two users a month, $19.99 for three, $24.99 for four, and $29.99 for five users. There was no six-person plan available. Now, however, a family of up to six can join and pay $14.99 a month instead of $29.99.
If you’d like to know more about the new Spotify Family plan pricing, including what it gets you, where it’ll be available, and how you can sign up straightaway, we’ve detailed everything you need to know below.
Spotify
Spotify Family Plan: How much does it cost?
Spotify’s new Family Plan costs $14.99 (+tax) a month for up to six individual Spotify Premium accounts. Actual pricing varies by region.
Spotify Family Plan: What does it include?
Spotify’s new Family Plan hasn’t changed in terms of what it offers. It still provides family members with access to over 30 million songs for just one price payable on a single bill. It also allows each family member to operate separate accounts so that everyone gets their own playlists, saved music, personal recommendations, and the full Spotify Premium experience.
The Premium experience includes the ability to listen offline to more than 30 million songs as well as play any song, anytime, on any device. There are no restrictions and no ads. You can learn more about the Spotify Family Plan and Premium experience from Spotify’s website.
Spotify Family Plan: When will it be available?
Spotify’s new Family Plan is rolling out now (as of 23 May 2016).
Spotify Family Plan: Where is it available?
Spotify’s new Family Plan is available to all users globally (except for Canada).
Spotify Family Plan: Already on the Family Plan?
When you upgrade, your Family Plan will carry over your separate accounts, playlists, and offline tunes. You’ll just get the new plan price (updated from your next payment date) and the ability to add more family members.
Spotify Family Plan: How do you sign up?
If you’re new to Spotify, go to this Spotify page, then enter your information, and authorise the payment. If you’re already on the Family Plan, simply go to your Account Page to add more family members.
To learn more, visit Spotify’s Family Plan website.
Pebble is announcing something tomorrow – what could it be?
Pebble has something up its sleeve, apparently.
That’s what the company wants us to think after it sent email invitations to the media with a GIF of the word “OMG” spelt out in LED lights on a circuit board of some sort. The caption with the invitation proclaimed: “We have something up our sleeve!” To complement the invite, the watch-maker has a countdown on its homepage with this tease: “Wait for it…You’re in for a treat”.
But that’s not all. Pebble also tweeted a picture of a Pebble with a timer on the watch’s black-and-white display. The actual tweet reads: “Everything’s better with friends.” So, we know that Pebble has something up its sleeve, which will be a treat for us all, and it could be something to use with friends. Oh, and everything will be revealed on on 24 May at 10 am EST.
The clock on Pebble’s website is counting down to tomorrow, and it suggests a major announcement is coming. Some reports have speculated it could be a new Pebble Time, because the original model released over a year ago on 14 May. However, other reports have wondered whether the company simply plans to announce a sale promotion, such as a buy-one, get-one offer.
We’re thinking new hardware is on the way, but who knows. Sound off in the comments below with what you think it might be. You can also go to Pebble’s website to sign up and receive a notice the moment things are announced.
Pebble
Everything’s better with friends. Invite the crew to https://t.co/5fXTrNoYjS May 24 at 10AM ET. #TheClockIsTicking pic.twitter.com/YCrWHD4Bzg
— Pebble (@Pebble) May 23, 2016
Chance the Rapper’s streaming-only album hits Billboard chart
In late 2014, the Billboard 200 chart began to take into account both album sales and streaming plays for its rankings. When the list is updated this week, the first streaming-only album will be included on the chart. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book debuted at number 8 on the list with 38,000 in equivalent sales since its debut on May 13th. The album is an Apple Music exclusive until May 27th where it has tallied 57.3 million streams so far. According to Billboard, there are no plans to make the album available for sale. When Billboard started including streams over a year ago, it announced that 1,500 streams from an album would translate to “an equivalent album unit.”
You might be thinking that Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo should’ve been the first record to achieve this feat. It would’ve been, but despite the fact that most of its plays (99.93 percent in the last week) came from streaming, that album was put up for sale. With streaming exclusives becoming part of high-profile album releases, we’re sure to see more subscription-only titles hit the chart in the future.
Source: Billboard
Facebook offers a free VR audio tool thanks to a buyout
Facebook isn’t merely content to make a virtual reality camera rig and call it a day. The company has revealed that it acquired Two Big Ears, the creator of the VR audio app Spatial Workstation, and has set the software loose. As of now, Spatial Workstation is free — anyone with a Mac (Windows support is coming) can produce immersive sound for their 360-degree videos. Support for the company’s existing Pro and gaming products will phase out over 12 months, but you’ll eventually see the gaming tech merged into the Facebook-owned software.
This isn’t lightweight software — don’t go in expecting GarageBand for VR. However, it’s bound to be a big help for anyone serious about VR video, including Facebook. The more professional-sounding videos are out there, the more reasons you have to buy a Facebook-backed headset like the Oculus Rift or Gear VR.
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Facebook, Two Big Ears
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