Google is testing a ‘Listen Now’ music ads to promote music streaming services and stores

It looks like Google wants you to listen to artists more on the different music streaming services and buy music online with a new ad option they’re testing out. There is a “Listen Now” add that links to at least three streaming music services and stores such as Google Play, Rhapsody, and Apple’s Beats Music. If you search for an artist, the Listen Now ad block will be located around the top of the search card.

According to The Wall Street Journal, music sellers will be able to purchase ad space. There is no word yet when this feature will be rolled out internationally as it is still in its testing phase at the moment.

Facebook Messenger becomes no. 1 downloaded app on App Store but gets 1-star rating

With the forced unbundling of Facebook’s messaging feature to become Facebook Messenger, it is natural that the app will become the number 1 app on the Apple App Store. However, this change is also showing how people do not like being forced to download new apps that another app already does. The current version of the Facebook Messenger app has been getting one-star ratings from users. It is mostly attributed to the switch as the previous versions of the app usually earned a four-star average on the App Store.

Source: Mashable

Runtastic's Orbit wearable and app offer 24-hour health tracking

There are certainly a variety of health and sports-focused wearable trackers in the market today and many of those interact with smartphone apps. Joining them is Runtastic's Orbit which is a 24-hour tracking device that allows users to track their daily movements, fitness activities and sleep cycles. In combination with the just-released Runtastic Me app, Orbit further expands the Runtastic Ecosystem and is the first Runtastic hardware product geared towards “anyone and everyone,” regardless of an individual’s affinity for sports or fitness. The Orbit is the company's first wearable device and the first product to be available in Canada through an online store (and soon retail).

New PressReader App feeds readers’ appetites for deeper news

Readers looking for top quality news on their mobile devices can now find the full content of their favorite news sources more easily with the release of a new version of the top digital news reader, PressReader. The company has released an updated version of its extremely popular iOS app, a digital news reader serving 30 million readers around the world with access to thousands of original newspapers and magazines.

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