Samsung and Spotify team up for long-term partnership

During the Samsung Unpacked event, Samsung also revealed it’s entering a long-term partnership with Spotify. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek describes this partnership as something that will include all Samsung devices, ranging from phones to TVs, to speakers. The app will now be part of the setup experience of Samsung devices and will get deeper integration through the current Spotify Connect feature. On top of that, Spotify and Samsung accounts will eventually be linked for smart home integration via the SmartThings app. The streaming music service will also be the default music option for Bixby, among other possible new features coming in the future.

Ek said in a press release, “For example - when you buy a new Samsung phone and use the SmartThings app to set up your Samsung Smart TV or Galaxy Home, you will be prompted to link your Spotify account. So right from the beginning, you’ll have that collaboration. It only takes a few simple steps. Additionally, we're also making it easier to move playback to various hardware devices with Spotify Connect. When a user enters WiFi while listening to music on mobile with the Spotify app, they’ll be able to move playback from the mobile lock screen, instead of having to go back in the Spotify app.”

Skype now has Spotify integration, too

Skype will now make it easy for you to share music with whomever you’re chatting with through the app’s integration with Spotify. It’s coming first to US-based Skype Insider users with the mobile app version of 8.26 or higher and then to global Insiders later. Insiders are users who get access to early features before these roll out to the rest of the users. Spotify can be accessed through Skype Add-ins, which house all the third-party services you can use when you’re in chats. (These are accessible through the “+” icon.)

Spotify through the Add-ins panel will let you search for songs, albums, and artists, preview and share music, or just play them. OnMSFT notes that not all songs have a playable preview on Skype, so sometimes your contacts will need to click on the “Play on Spotify” button to get to listen to the song.

Source: Engadget

Sonos One and Beam get Alexa Announcements

Amazon has started to bring one of the useful features of Alexa to the Sonos One and Beam: Alexa Announcements. This feature will let you broadcast one-way messages to all Alexa-enabled devices in your house. So, if you want to call your family for dinner or remind them about bed time, you can do it with these Alexa-enabled Sonos speakers. It’s coming first to Canada, the United States, and United Kingdom and will be available for English messages for now. The firmware update to enable this feature should be coming your way now so keep an eye out for it. You don’t need to do anything as it’ll automatically just update your speaker when it’s idle.

Samsung unveils updated Galaxy Watch wearable

Brooklyn, NY - Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Watch wearable at today's Unpacked event. Refining the design and functionality of the Gear S3 and the Gear Sport, the Galaxy Watch comes in Silver, Midnight Black and Rose gold colours and features sleep and activity tracking.

Click to read more ...