Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Revamped Google Play Music Streams Content Based on User Location, Activity, and Time of Day
Google today announced an overhaul of its Google Play Music streaming platform, with new contextually aware, opt-in music recommendation features that promise a more personal music listening experience.
Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.
Central to the overhaul is a redesigned home screen that Google likens to "the ultimate personal DJ", which learns what you like to listen to and when you like to listen to it, presenting content accordingly. Examples include suggesting a users' workout playlist when they arrive at the gym, offering music for unwinding after a day at the office, and recommending additional songs from new artists the user has previously expressed an interest in.
Powered by the company's machine learning systems and teams of human curators, Google promises the experience will "keep evolving" and improve the more it's used, whether that's through the company's recently launched Google Home smart speaker, on Chromecast devices such as the new 4K Chromecast Ultra, or its Google Pixel smartphones, which were unveiled last month.
The price of Google Play Music remains $9.99 per month and the company says it's rolling out the revamped service globally this week across iOS, Android, and the web.
Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.
Central to the overhaul is a redesigned home screen that Google likens to "the ultimate personal DJ", which learns what you like to listen to and when you like to listen to it, presenting content accordingly. Examples include suggesting a users' workout playlist when they arrive at the gym, offering music for unwinding after a day at the office, and recommending additional songs from new artists the user has previously expressed an interest in.
To provide even richer music recommendations based on Google's understanding of your world, we've plugged into the contextual tools that power Google products. When you opt in, we'll deliver personalized music based on where you are and why you are listening — relaxing at home, powering through at work, commuting, flying, exploring new cities, heading out on the town, and everything in between. Your workout music is front and center as you walk into the gym, a sunset soundtrack appears just as the sky goes pink, and tunes for focusing turn up at the library.In addition to the new opt-in personalization features, the overhauled service also includes a new regularly updated offline playlist based on what users listened to recently, enabling subscribers to listen to their favorite music even if they lose their connection.
Powered by the company's machine learning systems and teams of human curators, Google promises the experience will "keep evolving" and improve the more it's used, whether that's through the company's recently launched Google Home smart speaker, on Chromecast devices such as the new 4K Chromecast Ultra, or its Google Pixel smartphones, which were unveiled last month.
The price of Google Play Music remains $9.99 per month and the company says it's rolling out the revamped service globally this week across iOS, Android, and the web.
Tags: Google, Google Play Music
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35 months ago
Yeah I want google to spy on everything I do more..! No thanks!
You will have to come out of your cave at some point.
Just how good do you think any AI system can ever be for you, or anyone, when you keep everything secret from it?
Exactly like expecting a stranger in the street, who knows nothing about you, being of any use to you.
That's not reality.
Does a boss at work, keep every single thing secret from his or her assistant as they are worried the assistant will be telling everyone else, would not be much use as an assistant then!
Why are you so paranoid?
No one cares where you get your coffee from, or watch some porn. You are not that important, and neither are 99.999% of other people.
35 months ago
Both Google and Apple are trying too hard to force too many features into the simple act of listening to music. Can I just buy a few songs and have them on an easy to use player interface please...? PLEEEAASSE....?
35 months ago
Google today announced ('https://blog.google/products/google-play/introducing-the-new-google-play-music/') an overhaul of its Google Play Music streaming platform, with new contextually aware, opt-in music recommendation features that promise a more personal music listening experience.
Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says ('https://blog.google/products/google-play/introducing-the-new-google-play-music/') the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.
Oh, boy, Sounds like more homogenization of music tastes. Heaven forbid there be listeners that:
* Are more interested in music from outside their own little corner of the globe.
* Do not work the standard M-F 8-5 job -- and therefore have a different idea of "morning" "midday" "bedtime" and even "weekend".
* Like to rest and chill with heavy metal, but work out to smooth jazz.
* Have tastes that are completely contrary to what some marketroid thinks is "the popular music in this metropolitan area".
I've tried the curated playlists, AI playlists, etc of music services, and you know what? A tweaked iTunes DJ (a feature that is no longer in the program's current version) generally gives me a "radio station" that I enjoy more.
35 months ago
Yeah I want google to spy on everything I do more..! No thanks!
Oh, boy, Sounds like more homogenization of music tastes. Heaven forbid there be listeners that...
Everything SeaFox said and still no EQ on IOS.
Both Google and Apple are trying too hard to force too many features into the simple act of listening to music. Can I just buy a few songs and have them on an easy to use player interface please...? PLEEEAASSE....?
Ugh, can't anybody pick their own **** anymore? Why does everything need to be "curated"? Technology is awesome, but it doesn't have to replace every basic human functionality...
Theres a huge difference between AI enriching my life and AI as a tool to monetise my personal data and make it a company's core business.
I swear to Jeebus. Reading comprehension is severely lacking in this thread. Either the quotes above are from people who didn't read the article or seriously didn't understand what they read. It's an OPT-IN option. It's not mandatory, it's not on by default. It takes a conscious decision to choose to use the feature. If someone chooses the feature that means they obviously see it as a value add.
For those of us with common sense, we realize we can continue doing what we've been doing and the feature doesn't affect us at all. I use GPM on a family plan. This feature doesn't appeal to me so I'm not going to opt in. See how easy that is?:rolleyes:
35 months ago
The app does look much cleaner than Apple Music though.
That isn't hard. Apple Music's design is awful.
35 months ago
Why is everyone freaking out?
I'm in the music industry, I also pay for Google Play Music and trust me - 99% of people are useless about actively seeking out new music. And it's not even been that intuitive on GPM itself.
Anything that helps get good new music to listeners should be applauded. Also, this is opt-in so you don't HAVE to do it.
I'm in the music industry, I also pay for Google Play Music and trust me - 99% of people are useless about actively seeking out new music. And it's not even been that intuitive on GPM itself.
Anything that helps get good new music to listeners should be applauded. Also, this is opt-in so you don't HAVE to do it.
35 months ago
CDs were good, nice and shiny and nobody kept a note of where I lived or how often I did this or that. There were no ads that pestered me as if I was a clueless moron and the quality of the sound was a revelation. I think there were a few who liked to stick a needle on a flat round thing and fool themselves about audio quality. There are a few that have smart phones which seems like a contradiction of terms. I think I wll keep buying CDs or pinching songs for nothing off YT. My ears these days are OK with that and I can make MP3 files and stash hours of good jazz on one CD for use in the van. I have a nice van, dark blue.
35 months ago
'Based on location, activity, time, emotion during calls, ambient sound, purchases, gender, what friends played, medical record, velocity, ...' It's Google after all.
35 months ago
One day they will manage to add gapless playback to Android phones and I will send flowers over to their headquarters.
Seriously people. Stop fiddling with the interface and "curated" stuff. Make it PLAY MUSIC CORRECTLY first. Why is this so difficult.
Seriously people. Stop fiddling with the interface and "curated" stuff. Make it PLAY MUSIC CORRECTLY first. Why is this so difficult.
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