On-demand streaming now accounts for the majority of audio consumption, says Nielsen

 U.S. album sales declined in 2017 as streaming continues to grow, according to Nielsen’s year-end music report released this week. The report found that album sales, including both digital and physical, fell 17.7 percent last year to 169.15 million copies, down from 205.5 million in 2016. Meanwhile, streaming once again soared, leading the overall music industry to growth, largely due to… Read More

View More On-demand streaming now accounts for the majority of audio consumption, says Nielsen

Roku joins the voice computing market with smart soundbars, speakers and more built by partners

 Roku, which sells the most popular brand of streaming media players in the U.S., is now aiming to carve out a niche for itself as the voice control platform for home entertainment. Today, Roku is unveiling a licensing program for manufacturing pa…

View More Roku joins the voice computing market with smart soundbars, speakers and more built by partners

17 perfect things you probably missed on TV in 2017

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Yes yes, there’s too much TV, so how’s a fan to keep up with the growing number of exceptional performances, plot points, and ways of executing great television? We picked some of our favorite TV moments of the year that you might’ve missed while catching up. Now you know – and you can go back and watch.

1. The rise and fall of Ward Meachum, Iron Fist

The true hero of 'Iron Fist.'

The true hero of ‘Iron Fist.’

Image: David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Iron Fist had a lot working against it, from its indifferent choreography to its grating lead. Thankfully, though, it also had a surprise secret weapon in Ward Meachum. The poor little rich boy starts out as the unlikely audience stand-in, before spiraling downward into despair and desperation – and then, heroically, pulling himself back out of it. In a genre that’s largely defined by its hero-villain dichotomy, Ward was the (relatively) ordinary guy who reminded us that good and evil aren’t preordained destinies, but everyday choices.  Read more…

More about Entertainment, Television, Review, Streaming, and American Gods

View More 17 perfect things you probably missed on TV in 2017

Chromecast is back on Amazon

 Amazon will once again allow sales of Apple TV and Google Chromecast on its site, after banning them two years ago in an effort to promote its own Fire TV hardware to online shoppers. The addition of Apple TV is not surprising – Amazon and Apple came to an agreement earlier this year that included the launch of the Amazon Prime Video app for Apple TV, and the return of the Apple TV to… Read More

View More Chromecast is back on Amazon

A new version of Mixer, Microsoft’s Twitch rival, hits iOS and Android

 Microsoft today is officially launching a new version of its Mixer mobile gameplay streaming app, its Twitch rival. The app, which is initially available on Android with iOS arriving soon, was first introduced into beta testing this fall, with a …

View More A new version of Mixer, Microsoft’s Twitch rival, hits iOS and Android

Exec who reportedly said Netflix doesn’t believe Danny Masterson’s accusers no longer works there

 The Netflix executive who reportedly told one of Danny Masterson’s alleged rape victims that the company doesn’t believe them is no longer employed there. Andy Yeatman, Netflix’s director of global kids content, was fired on Monday, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Read More

View More Exec who reportedly said Netflix doesn’t believe Danny Masterson’s accusers no longer works there

How to check if someone’s secretly using your Netflix account

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Your Netflix is a personal space. What you watch, when you watch it, and how often you watch it can reveal a lot about you. The last thing you want is someone poking around your account, checking your viewing habits, and drafting off your hard-earned $10.99-a-month for free access. 

And yet people steal Netflix all the time. Whether it’s a jilted lover, an old college roommate, or an estranged family member — there are all too many people out there who may be able to use your account and see what you’ve been streaming. Sure, the easiest solution is to change your password, but that won’t tell you if someone’s been creeping.  Read more…

More about Netflix, Privacy, Streaming, Streaming Services, and Passwords

View More How to check if someone’s secretly using your Netflix account

YouTube TV hits 34 new markets

 The unbundling of the cable media empire is well underway, as players like Netflix grow others like Hulu and YouTube offer live TV service. YouTube TV, in particular, is executing an aggressive rollout, just yesterday making the service available to another 34 markets. That brings us to a total of 83 U.S. markets in which YouTube TV is currently available. ️ Cable-free live TV is now in… Read More

View More YouTube TV hits 34 new markets

The NFL and Verizon’s new streaming deal will bring games to all mobile carriers

 Verizon will no longer be the exclusive U.S. mobile carrier for watching NFL games on smartphones and tablets. According to an announcement this morning, the company – and TechCrunch’s parent, by way of Oath – says that it has closed a new deal with the National Football League that will allow it to stream live games to fans regardless of mobile network.
The deal includes… Read More

View More The NFL and Verizon’s new streaming deal will bring games to all mobile carriers

This ‘WarGames’ reboot rethinks Cold War-era sci-fi as a YA take on ‘Homeland’

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The classic line “Would you like to play a game?” takes on a whole new meaning in a WarGames reboot conceived by Sam Barlow.

The Her Story creator describes the reboot — officially titled #WarGames — as an “experimental interactive series.” He’s developing it with the blessing of rights-holder MGM Studios for Eko, a video storytelling platform that gives viewers a measure of control in shaping the stories they sit down to watch.

Barlow’s experience with Her Story makes him a great fit for this kind of concept. The 2015 mobile game invites players to investigate a mystery by searching through a police database of live-action interview clips. Read more…

More about Tech, Entertainment, Gaming, Streaming, and Her Story

View More This ‘WarGames’ reboot rethinks Cold War-era sci-fi as a YA take on ‘Homeland’

Ed Sheeran takes Drake’s crown to become Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2017

My god, Ed Sheeran is highly inoffensive and very, very popular.
Spotify released its annual Year in Music list, and Britain’s all-around nice guy is the most streamed artist on Spotify with 45 million monthly listeners around the world.
SEE ALSO: Sp…

View More Ed Sheeran takes Drake’s crown to become Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2017

Spotify is quietly testing a new feature to make your Discover Weekly playlist even smarter

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If you love Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist, but wish you could teach it some new tricks — you just might be in luck.

Mashable UK Social Media Producer Jennie Gale noticed Monday morning a new feature in her Discover Weekly playlist — a little heart, and a blocked sign, on the bottom left corner when a song is playing.

Image: screenshot/jennie gale

When you hover over the line or circle, it says “like” or “don’t like.” 

Image: screenshot/jennie gale

And here's an up-close view of the Dislike.

And here’s an up-close view of the Dislike.

Image: screenshot/jennie gale Read more…

More about Tech, Uk, Spotify, Streaming, and Discover Weekly

View More Spotify is quietly testing a new feature to make your Discover Weekly playlist even smarter