Spotify partners with Ancestry.com to create playlists based on your DNA

Embed from Getty Images

Spotify works to personalize your listening experience and this time it wants to use your DNA. The music streaming service just partnered with Ancestry.com to create a playlist based off the results from the US$99 AncestryDNA kit. Spotify will curate a “Heritage Playlist” or you can input your top five regions of heritage. You can even explore your “Musical DNA” and take a peek at what genres you listen to the most. The link, while accessible to everyone, Ancestry.com says it’s geared more towards its users since it directly correlates with the DNA results they get. But emphasizes that no “DNA data” is being shared with Spotify. If that promise doesn’t seem to hold up for you, Ancestry.com says all information you’ll use to create the playlist will be manually input by customers and “the experience is optional.” 

Source: Business Insider 

Jaybird launches Tarah Bluetooth headphones for runners

Here's a compelling new waterproof (IPX7) and sweatproof, headphones. Jaybird Tarah is the perfect earbud for people who are looking to cut the cord and try wireless for the first time. With more and more mobile devices moving away from the headphone jack, Tarah is the perfect solution for those hesitant to cut the cord but know it’s time.  

"We know a lot of dedicated athletes and fitness fans haven't yet made the switch to wireless headphones," said Jamie Parker, CEO of Jaybird. "We designed Jaybird Tarah to be the perfect introduction to going wireless - tangle-free and easy-to-use while delivering on the Jaybird fundamentals: sweat- and waterproof, a secure and comfortable sport fit, incredible sound with customizable EQ settings through the Jaybird app, and great battery life. Once people try Tarah, it will become an essential part of their training gear.”

Click to read more ...

New leaks show off Black and White renders of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XLWe’ve steadily been getting leaks of the Google Pixel 3 and 3XL ahead of the October 9 launch for both devices. This time around, we get two official-looking renders of both devices from Twitter user @RolandQuant. You get to see a large 3 in the phones’ default wallpapers and the bigger notch on the Pixel 3 XL. We also get to see the mint-coloured power key on the white variant. It looks like both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will get the same colors, unlike last year where two different manufacturers worked on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

Click to read more ...

Instagram co-founders Systrom and Krieger leave Facebook

In a move that seemingly echoes the earlier departure of WhatsApp co-counder Jan Koum, Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have announced their resignation from Facebook. First reported by The New York Times, the announcement was confirmed by Systrom in a blog post. While Koum reportedly left over apparent disagreements over user privacy and data-sharing, Systrom states they want to take time off “to explore our curiosity and creativity again.” Rumour has it though that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s meddling into how Instagram is run has resulted in the two leaving. But Systrom did not speak out about this in any way. Systrom wrote, “We remain excited for the future of Instagram and Facebook in the coming years as we transition from leaders to two users in a billion. We look forward to watching what these innovative and extraordinary companies do next.”

However, with Instagram being considered Facebook’s most successful acquisition, it seems Facebook is becoming increasingly reliant on Instagram to secure its future. It has been seen as a fast-growing and successful alternative to Facebook for teenage users who have become disillusioned by Facebook’s privacy violations and all the other issues the social network finds itself in, including crises surrounding election interference, fake news, and the perception that Facebook isn’t healthy for democracy or society. With its founders gone, it remains to be seen how independent Instagram will be from its parent company. And whether this would completely change how the app works.

Source: The Verge