California Fines Uber Millions

Uber may be based in the Golden State, but it’s increasingly under more scrutiny by the state’s agencies. First, the California Labor Commission found that one of its drivers was, in fact an employee, not a contractor, and was entitled to all the benefits of a full-timer. Now the California Public Utilities Commission hit the ride-sharing service with a $7.3 million fine for not providing … Continue reading California Fines Uber Millions

Netflix’s Feature Movies set to Premiere in October

Netflix has a name for itself in short time with a roster of series stands toe-to-toe with any cable network — House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. That’s also not counting documentaries they’re released, including The Square and What Happened Ms. Simone? The streaming video company is gearing up to add a slate of feature movies that are just as … Continue reading Netflix’s Feature Movies set to Premiere in October

Prince Won’t Stream — and this is What it Sounds Like When Doves Cry

With the launch of Apple Music, it’s easy to get heady about the state of streaming media. Holdouts like AC/DC are making their music available on streaming services and Taylor Swift made 1989 available on the fruit company’s service. So, war is over (which is also available on streaming)? Not exactly. Prince (remember when he was symbol dude?), is making waves about taking his music … Continue reading Prince Won’t Stream — and this is What it Sounds Like When Doves Cry

Apple Music: What’s in a Name? A Whole Damn Lot

When the iPhone originally launched, it didn’t come with Apple Music. It didn’t even come with a “Music” app. That was years later. Early adopters who can remember that far back will tell you that it came with an iPod app. Which makes sense. When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, the anticipation building up to the event was that Apple put a phone … Continue reading Apple Music: What’s in a Name? A Whole Damn Lot

French Crack Down on Uber, Company Insists its French/Western European CEOs are in a “Hearing”

You know that dream where you punch out that guy you can’t stand? Well French cab companies are living the dream with their recent protests against Uber and the arrest of its French and Western European CEOs. Mon Dieu! The arrests, which an Uber spokesperson described as a “hearing”, capped off days of protests against the ride-sharing company which were sparked by the launch of … Continue reading French Crack Down on Uber, Company Insists its French/Western European CEOs are in a “Hearing”

T-Mobile Introduces Smartphone Leases with JUMP! On Demand

No matter what kind of fanboy you are (iOS or Android), chances are you’re the type of person who absolutely, positively needs the latest and greatest phone the moment it comes out. This can be expensive. If you’re still on a subsidy plan, that means you probably won’t be eligible for an upgrade until the end of your two year contract. If you’re on one … Continue reading T-Mobile Introduces Smartphone Leases with JUMP! On Demand

Streaming Heats Up: Spotify Buys Big Data Firm Seed Scientific

With Apple about to enter its space, Spotify is hunkering down and spending money to shore itself up with the purchase of Seed Scientific. With a client list that included Audi, Unilever, the UN and Beats (pre-Apple buyout, Seed Scientific is an analytics company that will delve into how bands, listeners and brands interact with Spotify — and only Spotify. Possible uses for the data include … Continue reading Streaming Heats Up: Spotify Buys Big Data Firm Seed Scientific

Tidal Interim CEO Leaves After 3 Months on the Job

Music streaming’s come a long way, baby. It’s supplanted downloads as the primary form of distribution for the industry and like the introduction of Napster and file sharing in the late ’90s, the incumbent players are still trying to figure out what it means to them. Apple, the king of music downloads, is trying to pivot to streaming with Apple Music. The current darling, Spotify, … Continue reading Tidal Interim CEO Leaves After 3 Months on the Job

Taylor Swift, Indies and the Cost of Streaming — Thinking about Apple Music’s Recent Reversal

Taylor Swift’s highly publicized tumblr post accomplished something that’s happened a few times in Apple’s history — she made the company change course. You’ve probably heard about the Tweet storm by Apple’s Eddie Cue over the weekend, saying that the company will do the right thing when it comes to paying artists during Apple Music’s three month free trial — though this was something Apple should have … Continue reading Taylor Swift, Indies and the Cost of Streaming — Thinking about Apple Music’s Recent Reversal