Category: Audio
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Google and Podcasts
This week we heard the first news that Google is starting to get into the podcast game. Recode had the first decent report on the move. Currently, Apple dominates podcasts. Indeed, the word “podcast” might seem to imply to casual listener, that listening to a podcast means having an actual “iPod” to listen to them…
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RAJAR Q3 2015
This post is brought to you in association with RALF from DP Software and Services. I’ve used RALF for the past 8 years, and it’s my favourite RAJAR analysis tool. So I’m delighted to be able to bring you this analysis in association with it. For more details on RALF, contact Deryck Pritchard via this…
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The Stone Tape
Nigel Kneale is perhaps not as recognised a name as he should be. He was one of the UK’s major screenwriters for 50 years writing popular fare including in particular the Quatermass series. He adapted George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, in perhaps the definitive 1954 Rudolph Cartier screen adaptation (still unreleased on DVD despite at least…
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The Joys of Online Streaming Sports
Picture the scene. You’re travelling and Twitter tells you that the final rugby World Cup quarter final is a tight affair. There are just minutes left, and a single score could send the match either way. The final “northern hemisphere” side are fighting to stay in the competition. You fire up ITV Player on your…
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Not Predicting the Mercury Music Prize
Here’s an oddity. Music Week has published a list of albums that Google Play Music says represent the volume of streams that albums eligible for the Mercury Music Prize have achieved. So they’ve looked at acts that released albums between September, 9 2014 and September 25, 2015. The official shortlist is published in a couple…
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Chromecast Audio – Initial Thoughts
At Google’s recent devices launch, they announced a new version of the Google Chromecast – a £30/$35 device that plugs into an HDMI socket and lets you stream video via WiFi, using a phone/tablet/laptop as controller. It’s a neat device. They also announced Chromecast Audio – essentially doing the same for audio for your existing…
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Super-serving Men 20-44
Today we finally heard a few details* about the relaunch of Xfm as Radio X. The much mooted re-branding sees Chris Moyles take over breakfast, with Vernon Kay on mid-mornings and Johnny Vaughan on drive. Jon Holmes will move to weekend breakfast, when Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs (and The Voice) will have a…
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A Curious Case of Google Play Music
Note: See multiple updates on this story at the end. I use Google Play Music as my primary music service. That is, Google Play Music hosts my audio files allowing me to play them back via my phone, the Chrome browser or a Chromecast. I’ve never felt the need to subscribe to a music service…
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How Should Spotify Pay For Its Music?
Yesterday I got into a bit of a discussion with James Cridland on Facebook about the rights and wrongs of how services like Spotify distribute their revenues. And I thought it was worth sharing and expanding on some of my thoughts on the matter. This comes off the back of a Medium piece from Sharky…
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Releasing a Soundtrack Album
This is a small frustration, and quite possibly it’s specific to me, but why are record labels so tardy in releasing soundtrack albums. Everyone knows that for most films, the opening weekend is key. The largest number of people tend to see a film on its opening weekend, and in many instances, the film gets…
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Folk by the Oak 2015
I think the relaxed atmosphere and great music makes Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield House my favourite festival. And with both The Unthanks and Bellowhead on the bill this year, it was unmissable. Here are a few photos I took of this year’s event, with more over on Flickr.
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RAJAR Q2 2015
This post is brought to you in association with RALF from DP Software and Services. I’ve used RALF for the past 8 years, and it’s my favourite RAJAR analysis tool. So I’m delighted to be able to bring you this analysis. For more details on RALF, contact Deryck Pritchard via this link or phone 07545…