Technology - Google News

Apple Music is coming to Echo devices next month - The Verge
Android Auto app update starts rolling out, here are the changes - Android Community
Today’s best deals: Bose headphones, $20 128GB SanDisk microSD, $6 smart plugs, Philips Hue, more - BGR

Apple Music is coming to Echo devices next month - The Verge

Posted: 30 Nov 2018 05:15 AM PST

Amazon's Echo smart speakers already support a variety of music services, including Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. And starting on December 17th, Apple Music will join this little cohort.

Apple Music users will be able to ask Alexa to play their favorite songs, artists, and albums, as well as any of the streaming service's curated playlists and radio stations. Echo owners will simply need to enable the Apple Music skill in the Alexa app, link their account, and they'll be good to go.

Making Apple Music available on Echo devices might seem like it's running counter to Apple's usual strategy of using services as a lure for hardware (and vice versa), but the company can apparently see the sense of making its streaming service available on the most popular home speaker platform out there. It also seems to be happier about appearing on Amazon's platform recently. Earlier this month, it struck a new deal with the e-commerce giant to sell iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products on its site.

"Music is one of the most popular features on Alexa—since we launched Alexa four years ago, customers are listening to more music in their homes than ever before," said senior VP of Amazon devices, Dave Limp, in a blog post. "We are committed to offering great music providers to our customers and since launching the Music Skill API to developers just last month, we've expanded the music selection on Alexa to include even more top tier services."

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Android Auto app update starts rolling out, here are the changes - Android Community

Posted: 29 Nov 2018 11:00 PM PST

Earlier, we said a new Android Auto would be rolling out with message previews and a redesigned music player. The official update has arrived, ready to make any drive more enjoyable than ever. It’s not always the destination that matters. Any driver must be able to enjoy every journey even if for a short distance only. Times have changed but before those self-driving cars and robots take over, the Android team wants to make sure drives are simpler and more personal by enhancing a host of features and adding new ones.

Android Auto’s search and media browsing features have been improved so accessing content can be done more easily. Group messaging and visual message previews are also available as new ways to be connected with loved ones and colleagues. MMS and RCS are also supported.

Media content is placed more prominently in the screen so you can view and browse quickly. You don’t have to spend a lot of time finding what you want to listen to. The layout now shows larger album art images so you can easily see what’s available to listen to.

When it comes to messaging, you can launch WhatsApp, Hangouts, and Messages on the Android Auto display. Popular media apps such as Spotify, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, and Google Play Books are available as well.

Voice search is possible, thanks to the Google Assistant. Message previews are shown and can be viewed ONLY when the car isn’t moving but you need to enable the feature first under the settings menu.

Android Auto app update will be out anytime soon. Watch out for an OTA notification or check the Play Store if the latest version is available to download.

Download Android Auto from the Google Play Store

SOURCE: The Keyword (Google)

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Today’s best deals: Bose headphones, $20 128GB SanDisk microSD, $6 smart plugs, Philips Hue, more - BGR

Posted: 30 Nov 2018 06:42 AM PST

Cyber Week is drawing to an end, but don’t let that discourage you because some of the daily deals we found for today are even better than the sales we saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Highlights from Friday’s roundup include the single best Instant Pot deal of 2018, the lowest price ever on SanDisk’s Ultra 128GB microSD card, a 4-pack of Alexa and Google-compatible smart plugs for under $6 per plug, 20% off the beloved Philips Hue Bloom lamp, Anova’s most compact sous vide at its lowest price ever, best-selling Bluetooth earbuds for $15.89, Powerbeats3 for $89.99, a bunch of Bose headphones discounts include the QuietComfort 35 Series IIs and Bose’s first truly wireless earbuds, hot new wireless headphones that go toe to toe with Bose for just $149.99, a 55″ 4K TV with built-in Fire TV for $399.99, the best price ever on a Dyson V7 Animal cordless stick vacuum, a $26 home security camera that’s a better deal than anything on sale for Cyber Week, outdoor LED bulbs that automatically turn on at night and off in the morning, and so much more. Check out all of today’s best bargains below.

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web.

BGR Deals content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and BGR may receive a commission on purchases made through our posts.

Image Source: Paul Sakuma/AP/Shutterstock

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