Take Music and Podcasts Everywhere You Go

5/5/2019

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

Music is everywhere, and today’s tech-enabled world makes it easy to enjoy the sounds of your favorite artists and storytellers no matter where you go. Learn about the many ways you can access music and podcasts while on the go with these tips that can make it easy to bring your audio library with you from the family room, to the car, to the gym and virtually anywhere else life takes you.

Take Music and Podcasts Everywhere You Go

(Family Features) Music is everywhere, and today’s tech-enabled world makes it easy to enjoy the sounds of your favorite artists and storytellers no matter where you go.

“In the connected world we live in, consumers want to be able to listen to their favorite music and podcasts wherever they are and however they choose to listen, whether that’s at home, in the car or on the run,” said Sten Garmark, vice president of product for Spotify.

Learn about the many ways you can access music and podcasts while on the go with these tips that can make it easy to bring your audio library with you from the family room, to the car, to the gym and virtually anywhere else life takes you:

At Home
Smart technology isn’t just for improving security or managing your home’s energy use. An increasing number of smart devices designed for the home make it easy to listen to your favorite music and podcasts in every room.

Smart speakers are a must for any music-lover’s home with a wide range of devices that come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s listening to motown while you cook, turning up the jazz while you entertain or queuing up your favorite podcasts as you wind down for the night, smart speakers are equipped to stream all types of audio across your home. There are other sources for accessing your music, too. Smart TVs have become true information and entertainment hubs; going far beyond the music channels many cable and satellite providers offer, you can now access an array of apps, including streaming music, on many smart TV models. Another option: game consoles that integrate apps and features beyond their basic gaming function, such as streaming music for the best gaming soundtrack experience.

Also keep in mind that smart home hub capabilities often extend beyond simple device management, such as allowing you to use voice commands to play music and podcasts from streaming services.

In the Car
For most newer vehicle models, standard audio systems offer a wealth of handy music features like favorites lists, Bluetooth integration with your smartphone and access to various apps. Voice-activated controls even let you adjust volume and switch tracks while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Just say the word to turn up the volume on premade playlists such as “70s Road Trip” and podcasts like “The Joe Budden Podcast” with a streaming service like Spotify.

It’s no secret that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of apps designed to make driving easier and more enjoyable. You’re probably familiar with apps that provide directions or help you locate the cheapest gas nearby, but don’t overlook entertainment apps that can add a little fun to all that function.

If music apps like Spotify aren’t already integrated into your car’s audio system, you can access them through your smartphone then connect via an auxiliary cord or through Bluetooth with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which have in-car display options that make streaming audio simple and stress-free.

On the Run
One of the fastest growing tech segments is wearable technology, which spans everything from smartwatches to electronic devices integrated into clothing or shoes. Fitness enthusiasts may find that in addition to offering health and fitness functions, many of these devices are also able to stream music. Some wearables come with music apps pre-installed, but many also offer options to add your own custom app selections after purchase.

Streaming music directly from your smartphone’s built-in speaker is almost always an option as well, even without any other device. When you want or need to keep your music to yourself, wireless headphones are an increasingly affordable, hassle-free option. Simply pair the headphones with your smartphone for a private music experience even when you’re in a crowded place.

Explore more options to take your music everywhere you go at Spotify-Everywhere.com.

SOURCE:
Spotify

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Your Broadcast TV Channels May Change Frequencies

3/26/2019

Be prepared, as your favorite television channels may change in 2020!

If you rely on an antenna for your TV viewing, changes between now and July 2020 may affect reception of some of your channels. While the channel numbers you see on the TV are not changing, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to update to the new frequencies so they can continue receiving those channels. Consider these common transition questions to ensure you’re prepared.

Your Broadcast TV Channels May Change Frequencies

(Family Features) If you rely on an antenna for your TV viewing, changes between now and July 2020 may affect reception of some of your channels.

As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) work to make more airwaves available for high-speed mobile broadband services, some TV stations in cities across the United States are changing their over-the-air broadcast frequencies.

While the channel numbers you see on the TV are not changing, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to update to the new frequencies so they can continue receiving those channels. Viewers will not need to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box. Only those who use an antenna to watch local channels need to rescan their TVs; cable and satellite subscribers are not affected by these changes.

Not all channels are changing and the changes are happening on a rolling basis, so not all channels will change at the same time. Some viewers may need to rescan their televisions and converter boxes multiple times over the transition period. Viewers should look for additional announcements on local channels and rescan when those changes take place.

Consider these common transition questions to ensure you’re prepared:

How will I know it’s time to scan?
Some local TV channels will change frequencies at various times through mid-2020. Viewers should be on the lookout for public service announcements, “crawls” running across the bottom of TV screens and other notifications from local stations announcing “rescan days” on which viewers will need to rescan. Broadcasters will give viewers at least 30 days of notice that their frequency change is approaching.

A good rule of thumb is to rescan your TV anytime you notice a channel missing. If you haven’t rescanned in a while, you may be surprised by how many channels are now available.

How many people will be affected by the transition?
Millions of Americans nationwide who watch television for free with an antenna will be affected.

What is the advantage of making the frequency changes?
The benefit is that more airwaves will be available to meet consumer demand for increased mobile broadband capacity, the new 5G and other advanced high-speed mobile broadband services being developed.

How can I find out which channels are changing?
The FCC website has an interactive map that allows viewers to insert their address to see which local channels are making a transition in their market. To access the map, visit fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps.

Once you enter your location information, such as city and state or zip code, you will be able to view a list of stations in your area. Stations that are changing frequencies will have an “R” in the last column marked “IA.” Click on the station to seethe time period during which each affected station will make the change. To find the specific “rescan day” for a particular station, watch for its on-air announcements and notices or check its website for information.

For more information and tips on how to rescan, visit fcc.gov/TVrescan or call 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322).

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Federal Communications Commission

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