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Teens Love iPhone and Apple Watch, But Not Apple Music and Apple TV+

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The iPhone continues to be overwhelmingly popular with teens, according to Piper Sandler’s biannual teen survey. 85 percent of U.S. teens surveyed own an ‌iPhone‌, and 86 percent plan to purchase an ‌iPhone‌ as their next smartphone.

best early black friday iphone 2
While the ‌iPhone‌ is still the most popular smartphone among teens, ownership is down from the October 2023 survey where 87 percent of teens owned an ‌iPhone‌ and 88 percent planned to purchase one.

Both the 85% iPhone ownership and 86% intention to purchase an iPhone metrics are near record highs for our survey but down from record levels in 2021. We believe the elevated penetration and purchase intention are important given the mature premium smartphone market. Additionally, trends towards premium tier phones are encouraging as the company continues to introduce new iPhones proving the overall stickiness of the product portfolio. Finally, positive trends in services could follow, as the install base for Apple hardware continues to grow.

Apple’s dominance in the teen market is of particular interest right now because it is one metric that the U.S. Department of Justice is targeting in its antitrust lawsuit against Apple.

The DoJ has suggested that Apple’s ownership of the U.S. smartphone market causes “social stigma, exclusion, and blame” for non-iPhone users, with “green bubble” chats and issues between ‌iPhone‌ and Android message users cited as a specific example. The DoJ claims that this is “particularly powerful” for teenagers, and that “social pressure” causes teens to switch to the ‌iPhone‌.

The antitrust lawsuit also suggests that Apple’s marketshare among “key demographics” like “younger audiences” is an issue that gives Apple too much power over the smartphone ecosystem.

As for the Apple Watch, 34 percent of teens reported using an Apple Watch, with no change from last fall. Intent to buy an Apple Watch was up three percent, however, with 13 percent of teens planning to buy one in the next six months. Only 39.4 percent of teens said they own a smart watch, so teens are also overwhelmingly preferring the Apple Watch to other smart watch brands. The Apple Watch was the top watch brand, with Rolex and Casio coming in second and third, respectively.

Teens prefer Spotify as their music service, and nearly two-thirds of teens surveyed said Spotify is their preferred service. Just over 30 percent of teens said they use Apple Music. Apple TV+ is not popular with teen audiences, and less than five percent of teens said they watch it on a daily basis. Comparatively, over 30 percent of teens watch Netflix regularly, and close to 30 percent watch YouTube.

Apple Pay was the most popular payment platform with 44 percent of teens using it in the last month, but Cash app and Venmo are preferred for peer-to-peer money transfers.

Piper Sandler surveyed 6,020 teens across 47 U.S. states for its spring 2024 report.

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Apple Updates App Store Guidelines to Permit Game Emulators, Website Links in EU Music Apps

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Apple today updated its App Store guidelines to comply with an anti-steering mandate levied by the European Commission. Music streaming apps like Spotify are now permitted to include a link or buy button that leads to a website with information about alternative music purchasing options, though this is only permitted in the European Economic Area.

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue

Music Streaming Services Entitlements: music streaming apps in specific regions can use Music Streaming Services Entitlements to include a link (which may take the form of a buy button) to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services. These entitlements also permit music streaming app developers to invite users to provide their email address for the express purpose of sending them a link to the developer’s website to purchase digital music content or services. Learn more about these entitlements.

In accordance with the entitlement agreements, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the price of such items. The entitlements are limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store in specific storefronts. In all other storefronts, streaming music apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

The European Commission in March fined Apple $2 billion for anti-competitive conduct against rival music streaming services. The fine also came with a requirement that Apple “remove the anti-steering provisions” from its App Store rules, which Apple has now done. Apple is restricted from repeating the infringement or adopting similar practices in the future, though it is worth noting that Apple plans to appeal the decision.

Apple has accused Spotify of manipulating the European Commission to get the rules of the ‌App Store‌ rewritten in its favor. “They want to use Apple’s tools and technologies, distribute on the ‌App Store‌, and benefit from the trust we’ve built with users – and pay Apple nothing for it,” Apple complained following the ruling.

In addition to updating its streaming music rules, Apple today also added games from retro game console emulator apps to the list of permitted software allowable under guideline 4.7. Guideline 4.7 permits apps to offer HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, game emulators, and plug-ins.

Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.

Game emulators have managed to sneak onto the ‌App Store‌ several times over the years by using hidden functionality, but Apple has not explicitly permitted them until now. The rule change that allows for game emulators is worldwide, as is support for apps that offer mini apps and mini games.

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OpenAI’s Sora just made its first music video and it’s like a psychedelic trip

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OpenAI recently published a music video for the song Worldweight by August Kamp made entirely by their text-to-video engine, Sora. You can check out the whole thing on the company’s official YouTube channel and it’s pretty trippy, to say the least. Worldweight consists of a series of short clips in a wide 8:3 aspect ratio featuring fuzzy shots of various environments. 

You see a cloudy day at the beach, a shrine in the middle of a forest, and what looks like pieces of alien technology. The ambient track coupled with the footage results in a uniquely ethereal experience. It’s half pleasant and half unsettling. 

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YouTube Music for Android gets a redesigned comments section

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Last updated: April 3rd, 2024 at 14:44 UTC+02:00

In September 2023, Google added a comments section to YouTube Music. It hasn’t even been a year since then and the company is now updating the comments section in the YouTube Music app for Android and iOS with a new design (via 9To5Google).

Up until now, when you clicked on the comments button on the Now Playing screen, the app used to bring up a panel showing the comments section over the playback screen, which used to obstruct the view of the album art, track information, and playback controls.

Now when you click on the comments section button on the Now Playing screen, the app still brings up a panel showing the comments section but it also shrinks the playback screen into a mini-player and displays it above the comments section. This mini-player shows the song’s name and artist and has play/pause and cast buttons. With the new design, you can take a look at the track information and access basic playback controls even when you are interacting with the comments section, which is very convenient.

Reportedly, Google is rolling out the latest change on Android only on smartphones, not tablets. We haven’t received it on our Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24+ in India. We are assuming that the company is offering the redesign with an update to the app. So, keep checking for an update to YouTube Music on the Play Store to get it.

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YouTube Music for Android gets a redesigned share sheet

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Last updated: April 1st, 2024 at 12:11 UTC+02:00

Google is updating the YouTube Music app for Android with a redesigned share sheet, which looks more organized/sophisticated and takes up much less space on the display compared to the older one (via 9To5Google). The new share sheet design is the same as the one found in the YouTube app for the operating system.

Up until now, when you clicked on the Share button, the app used to bring up a menu that took at least two-thirds of the display vertically. It showed you the option to copy the link to the song as well as all the applications on your phone where you could share the track.

Now, when you click on the Share button, the app brings up a menu that’s much shorter in size. At the top, it has a grid of options, which includes the option to share the song using Nearby Share and four applications where you can share the track. Below that, it gives you the option to copy the link to the song and an option to bring up a list of other applications installed on your device where you can share the song.

We are able to access the redesigned share sheet in the latest stable version of the app (version 6.44.54) on our Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S24+. Google should be rolling it out in other regions as we speak. So, update YouTube Music on your phone to enjoy the new share sheet. It is also live on YouTube Music for iOS.

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Samsung Music Frame has been launched in South Korea

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Last updated: March 28th, 2024 at 09:36 UTC+01:00

Earlier this year, Samsung announced its first one-of-a-kind wireless speaker called the Music Frame at CES 2024. It can be used as a standalone wireless speaker or paired with a Samsung TV or a combination of a Samsung TV and a Samsung soundbar. After launching it in the US, Samsung has launched it in South Korea.

Samsung Music Frame is now available for purchase in South Korea

The Music Frame (LS60D) speaker is now available in South Korea with a price tag of KRW 599,000 ($445). It can be purchased from Samsung Stores, Samsung’s online store, and other authorized retailers across the country.

Music Frame features

Samsung Music Frame Wireless Speaker

Samsung’s new wireless speaker has an audio output of 120W RMS, thanks to its six-speaker setup featuring two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and two woofers. Its audio is tuned by Samsung Audio Lab and features Dolby Atmos. It can be linked to Samsung TVs and soundbars wirelessly via Q-Symphony 3.0. It can be placed on a table or mounted on a wall. It can also be paired with another Music Frame, so you can have two Music Frame speakers connected to your Samsung TV.

Samsung Music Frame Lifestyle

It also features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Alexa Connect, and Spotify Connect, so you can play music wirelessly in a variety of ways. It also features Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. It also acts as a SmartThings Hub, which means it can act as a hub for all your smart home devices. You can watch the speaker in action in our hands-on video below.

Yong Seok-woo, President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Division, said, “We have actively accepted consumers’ opinions that design is important when purchasing audio products, and have introduced a music frame that reflects both sophisticated design and sound quality. We will continue to meet the diverse needs and lifestyles of consumers in the future.” “We will lead the market with innovative products that can meet the needs of our customers.“

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Philips Hue Sync TV App for Samsung TVs Gets Subscription Option and Music Mode

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Philips Hue parent company Signify today announced an expanded relationship with Samsung, bringing the Philips Hue Sync TV app to additional countries, adding a Music Mode, and introducing a monthly subscription option.

samsung philips hue sync
As of last year, Samsung TV owners have been able to download a Philips Hue Sync app that allows Samsung smart TVs to be linked to HomeKit-connected Hue bulbs and lighting products. With the integration, content played on Samsung TVs is synced to the lighting in the room.

When the feature launched, it was priced at $130 for Samsung TV owners, but starting this spring, there will be a lower-priced subscription option. Customers can choose to pay a monthly fee of $2.99 to use the Hue Sync app on up to three TVs, or a one-time fee to unlock it on a single TV. The Philips Hue Sync TV app is launching in Brazil, Hong Kong, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, so Samsung TV owners in those countries can use the functionality.

On compatible 2024 Samsung TV models, there is a new Music Mode option that allows the lights to react to the audio of what’s playing on TV rather than the content of the screen. It is compatible with any music played on the TV, and will also be coming to Samsung TVs made in 2022 and 2023 later this year.

For those without Samsung TVs, the $250 Hue Play HDMI Sync Box paired with a streaming device like an Apple TV is the only way to get TV content that’s synced to lights, so the Samsung TV app provides a simpler solution for those who have Samsung TVs.

The Philips Hue Sync TV app is available for Samsung Q60 series or higher QLED TVs that were made in 2022 or later.

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The Blipblox myTRACKS groovebox is a complete music production studio for kids

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Back when I was a kid (puts on old man glasses) we had the Casio SK-1. We’d spend all day making samples of burps and turning them into stupid little songs, but that’s about as far as it went. You couldn’t layer tracks or anything. Modern children, however, are about to get an actual full-featured groovebox, thanks to Playtime Engineering.

The Blipblox myTRACKS is a complete music production studio, according to Playtime. It features a built-in microphone for sampling (just like the Casio SK-1) but also 50 instrument sounds and 25 pads to play them on. These sounds can be arranged into five tracks, resembling many grooveboxes intended for adults, and there are two FX processors and a range of effects. Sure, it looks like a toy and probably feels like a toy, but it’s not really a toy. To that end, the announcement video shows an adult going to town on the thing once the kids are asleep.

You can transform sounds and add effects via two bright purple levers on the side, which work just like typical mod wheels. You’ll be able to buy sound packs online and upload them via USB-C. There’s even a MIDI port. It’s a groovebox, though not as high-tech as something like the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field, or the Roland MC-707.

Downloading sound packs and modulating effects may be a bit too complicated for the younger kids in your life, but the myTRACKS also includes hundreds of built-in melodies and drum loops to play around with and have fun. There’s also a randomization feature that the company says “instantly creates new songs for unlimited fun and inspiration.” These songs are likely to annoy you as you go about household chores, but it’s better than a child staring at a tablet all day, right?

A person holding the gadget. A person holding the gadget.

Playtime Engineering

Now the bad news. The kid-centric groovebox is just a Kickstarter project, for now, with shipments eventually going out in November. However, this isn’t Playtime Engineering’s first rodeo with this type of gadget. The company has released numerous child-friendly synthesizers and music-making devices in its Blipblox line. There’s the original Blipblox synth and the more recent Blipblox After Dark. We praised both of these instruments for being appropriate for children, but still enjoyable for adults. The myTRACKS Kickstarter goes live on April 9 and pricing will range from $250 to $300 for backers.

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You can now pre-order Samsung’s next-gen 2024 TVs and funky Music Frame speaker

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When Samsung listed the European prices for its new 2024 range of OLED and QLED TVs, we were a bit disappointed to report that a number of models were getting price hikes. As we wrote last month, there were “major jumps in some cases, well above Eurozone inflation rates”. 

We also noted that some of the pressures on prices, such as materials costs, shipping costs and tech costs, were global rather than limited to the EU. So we’re not entirely surprised to see that there are some price rises in the US too to what will be the best Samsung TVs. 

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YouTube Music now lets you search for a song by singing or humming

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Last updated: March 18th, 2024 at 12:39 UTC+01:00

In October 2023, Google rolled a feature to the YouTube app for Android that allowed you to search for a song by humming or singing that song or playing a clip of that song, making it easier for you to search for a song whose name you aren’t aware of. Now, the company is rolling out the same feature to YouTube Music for iOS (via 9to5Google).

According to an image posted by a user on Reddit, the YouTube Music app for iOS now features a new button on the right-hand side of the one for voice search. This is the same button that’s marked as ‘Song’ in the YouTube app for Android which allows you to search for a song by humming or singing that song or playing a clip of that song.

YouTube Music Song Search

Currently, there’s no info if the latest feature is part of the beta or stable version of the app. It seems like Google is rolling it out to a limited number of people in very few regions. We hope that Google brings the ability to search for a song by humming or singing that song or playing a clip of that song to the YouTube Music app for Android soon.

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