YouTube Music gets Android TV integration through YouTube app

It's a solution, but a hastily put together one, it seems. YouTube Music comes to Android TV through a server-side update that introduces a new Music tab in the app with YouTube Music's logo on it. It shows a lot of your regular YouTube recommendations and the content taken from your account. You'll get access to things like "Your likes" and playlists you've subscribed to, "Your mix," "Discover mix," some genre and mood stations, your playlists, artists stations based on your listening habits, and recommended playlists. And it has an instant playback function that starts when you highlight a mix, playlist or artist station. 

Beyond that, though, it's basic integration, lacking a lot of features that would be better introduced through a dedicated YouTube Music app. It doesn't offer background playback, shuffle or repeat, audio/video toggle, playlist management, full library access including to your uploaded music, and synchronized lyrics. Here's to hoping Google fixes these lapses and give its subscribers a better app to work with.

Source: Android Police

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 tipped to support hand gestures to answer calls

The mystery surrounding Samsung's upcoming devices is slowly but surely getting revealed. The latest target is the Galaxy Watch 3. XDA-Developers found that the Galaxy Watch 3 Plugin app references support for hand gestures, particularly when it comes to taking calls. If the smartwatch starts ringing, you can clench and unclench your fist to pick up or share your hand to ignore the call.

The smartwatch will also reportedly support the Apple Watch-like fall detection. If it detects a fall, it'll ring for 60 seconds, awaiting a response. If you don't answer, it will proceed to text your location as well as a five-second audio recording to emergency contacts. There's also an option to make an emergency call after the minute-long wait. We should expect to hear more about the Galaxy Watch 3 and its features during Samsung's upcoming Unpacked online launch on August 5.

Source: Engadget

Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' smashes first day streaming records

Taylor Swift's Folklore is raking in its streams, breaking several first-day streaming records since its release on July 24. Folklore now sets the global record for first-day album streams on Spotify by a female artist with 80.6 million streams. On Apple Music, it's the most-streamed album in 24 hours with 35.47 streams. And it has set indie/alternative streaming records in the US and worldwide on Amazon Music, though we don't get official figures. Swift's representatives have confirmed that the album sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide within the first 24 hours of its release.

The pop star announced the surprise album on social on Thursday, July 23, which she was inspired to make and release since the coronavirus pandemic hit and affected her plans to tour her previous album, Lover. You can check out the lead single of the record in the music video above.

Source: NME

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup – 7/19 – 7/25

Review: TCL 10 Pro

Netflix promises to stop billing inactive accounts 

Microsoft no longer offers 12-month Xbox Live Gold plans 

Calm app turns into an HBO Max series 

Chrome for Android tests scheduled downloads 

Netflix is now available on Nest Hub devices 

OnePlus launches Nord 5G 

OnePlus Buds will be coming to Canada 

Is the Microsoft Xbox Series X launching in November? 

Facebook Messenger offers new privacy controls 

Nikon Canada introduces the Z 5 mirrorless camera 

New 'Fable' game is coming to Xbox Series X, Windows 10 

Microsoft Surface Duo might launch soon 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G is coming to Canada on Aug. 7 for $2,019