Music Biz Monday // 1.28

Every Monday, we’re sharing the latest news and information for the music industry and technology worldwide.

Get your learn on and stay in the know with Symphonic’s Music Biz Monday!

The Four Types Of Music Subscription Models In 2019

There’s a widespread perception that paid streaming subscriptions have become recorded music’s lifeline, restoring the sector to a state of growth and driving its ongoing global expansion.

In fact, the influence of paid music streaming is so powerful that the word “Spotify” now serves as a shorthand across several industries for a supposedly more convenient, streamlined user experience built on content aggregation: think “Spotify for news”, “Spotify for audiobooks”, even “Spotify for comics”.

Capitalizing on this positive association, both Universal Music Group and Sony Music Japan are also reportedly building their own streaming products, part of which is likely to revolve around individual artists.

But while a subscription model might be the new table stakes for staying competitive, it’s certainly not sufficient for success – and the music industry presents a exemplary case study.

\\ Read more on Music Business Worldwide //

You can now control Pandora with voice commands

US-based internet radio company Pandora has announced that it is introducing Voice Mode for mobile, a smart assistant feature similar to Amazon’s Alexa that will allow you to navigate around the app. Using the wake phrase “Hey Pandora” triggers Pandora to listen for a command, so you can use the app hands-free.

\\ Read more on The Verge //

Apple Music Is Officially Available on Android Tablets

Apple Music is pushing deeper into the Android ecosystem.

Once upon a time, iTunes on a PC was considered unthinkable. These days, under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple has a totally different outlook on establishing reach. And that definitely applies to Apple Music.

Apple Music has pushed out an update to the app bringing tablet support to Android users.

\\ Read more on Digital Music News //

Dolby made a secret app for recording studio quality audio on your phone

Dolby has been quietly testing a new mobile app for recording and cleaning up audio under the codename “234,” as first spotted by TechCrunch. The app, which was available through a website sign-up form, lets you record audio (a la Voice Notes), cancels background noise, and then apply presets, with names like “Amped,” “Thump,” and “Bright,” to theoretically make your recordings sound more professional.

\\ Read more on The Verge //

Spotify Fake Artists Return – But Who’s Faking Plays Within User Accounts?

It’s been nearly two years since MBW kicked off a global conversation over ‘fake artists’ on Spotify. That debate is about to roar back into life.

Multiple Spotify users have been complaining that their official listening history on Spotify appears to have been infiltrated by acts that they don’t simply recognize.

The trend was spotted by the BBC, which reported on Friday (January 25) that plays of ‘mystery’ tracks from artists such as Bergenulo Five, Bratte Night, DJ Bruej and Doublin Night were being credited within individual Spotify user accounts – despite these same users knowing nothing about this music.

\\ Read more on Music Business Worldwide //