Spotify

Is Facebook launching music service next month?

Facebook is said to have plans to launch a music service in September, according to a report by CNBC.

I'm checking with my sources now but remember, we've heard these reports about an imminent music service from Facebook before and so far not much has emerged.

According to CNBC, "a source familiar with the plan" said the service would launch September 22 at the company's F8 conference. CNBC offered few details about what the service would look like.

But separately, Mashableis reporting a Facebook music service will "rely on partners" by Pandora, … Read more

The 404 881: Where we sweat it out (podcast)

CNET Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg (not that one) is back on the show and telling us why iPod docks, Beats Audio, and Spotify are ruining the music industry. Steve also has a few ideas on how to make one last buck off said music industry, and advises us on the rules of listening to music in public.

He still also has a pair of V-Moda earplugs to give away to a few lucky 404 listeners, so be sure to add him on Twitter and mention both of us in a Tweet for a chance to win!

The 404 Digest for Episode 881

Spotify and the search for meaning in music. Steve says: " They should stop making CDs." Do people really care how their gadgets sound? Planet Money podcast: Manufacturing the song of the summer.

Episode 881 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Digital City 137: Glasses-free 3D laptops, 20 years of the Web, and back-to-school PC buying advice

This week: Toshiba's glasses-free 3D laptop has gone from prototype to release in record time; we pick our favorite back-to-school systems; and the World Wide Web hits 20 years old. The gang ponders the recent success of Xbox Live games such as Fruit Ninja Kinect and Bastion, and we take an informal poll on Google Plus and Spotify use.

Special guests this week are TJ Allard and Josh Goldman. You may remember TJ as one of Dan's co-panelists on the cult favorite video game shows Play Value and Best Game Ever. Check out some old Play Value episodes on YouTube, and we've embedded one below for kicks.

Bonus: Download the show's jaunty theme song as a free MP3 here.

They should stop making CDs

Thanks to streaming services and file sharing, there's little incentive to purchase music anymore. Everybody knows CD sales have been falling for years, but as soon as the record labels stop making CDs, their value will skyrocket.

Sure, there's still a sizable market for CDs, but if sales continue to decline I think the labels should offer a very limited run of each CD title on its original release, say a few thousand discs, with beautifully printed booklets and packaging, and auction them on eBay. When they're gone, they're gone. Prices would go through the roof, … Read more

The 404 874: Where two sticks make a fire (podcast)

Joey guest hosts The 404 Podcast today again; not because of all the Joey-related fan mail we've received, but because nobody else in the office knows how to operate the camera switcher. Just joking. Joey brings his refreshingly positive sense of humor while Jeff cools off.

Today's stories include a quick review of Spotify and the new Sonos small network speaker, a California ruling that makes Facebook trolling a crime, and a Web site that reveals previously deleted tweets of any Twitter user.

The 404 Digest for Episode 874

Sonos ships new smaller Play: 3 speaker. That story about the IQ of Internet Explorer browser users was fake! Undetweetable collects tweets you thought you deleted. California judge: trolling with someone else's Facebook is identity theft. My fake Facebook birthdays. A video voicemail from Kokesh on top of a mountain!

Episode 874 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

8 ways to make awesome Spotify playlists

If you were lucky enough to get an invite to the newly arrived Spotify, you'll notice that the streaming-music service is centered around playlists. Once you know the basics--creating, editing, and sharing--it's time to learn the more advanced tricks and tips for Spotify playlists.

Discover new music

Use search operators. In the Spotify search bar, use advanced search syntax. For example, searching "year:1970-1980" will give you a list of popular songs from that decade. Or, search "genre:rap year 1994" for rap music from 1994. For a full list of search operators, go … Read more

How to share music on Spotify

Spotify is a great way to listen to full songs and albums online, but many people neglect to take advantage of all the unique music-sharing features that are baked into the program.

Fortunately, it just takes a minute to get up to speed on the many different ways Spotify allows you to share your musical discoveries with the world (or just your closest friends). After checking out the video and slideshow, check out more great Spotify tutorials on CNET's How To blog.

How to use Spotify's Offline mode on iPhone

We have already shown you how to get started with Spotify, and we have also shown how to use Spotify with your Sonos system. Now we will show you how to use Spotify on your iPhone in Offline mode, allowing you to keep your favorite playlist at the ready, even when you find yourself without an Internet connection.… Read more

Four steps to a killer college (tech) life

As you step into the new school year, we know you'll have lots of adjusting to do--new friends, classes, professors, and eating habits (hello, Top Ramen)--so we'd like to make at least one thing easy for you: setting up your gadgets.

With these helpful tips crafted by our How To team, you'll be setting up your TV, exploring new places around campus, mastering your computer skills, and collaborating with other students in no time.

Step 1: Set up the bachelor(ette) pad If you're moving into a new place, get your TV connected with this simple guide. … Read more

Spotify hit with patent-infringement lawsuit

Spotify has only been operating in the U.S. for two weeks, but already it's being sued for patent infringement.

Earlier this week, PacketVideo, a company that develops software to help people wirelessly listen to music and watch video, sued Spotify in the U.S. and the Netherlands for allegedly violating U.S. patent 5,636,276. According to PacketVideo, the patent, which it secured in 1997 by acquiring Switzerland-based company Basel, relates to the "distribution of music in digital form." In a statement, PacketVideo said that Spotify's use of its patented technology "enables Spotify'… Read more