Apps

Spotify finally introduces real-time lyrics feature

No more Behind the Lyrics from Genius

Published

July 1, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Who doesn’t love singing along to their favorite tunes on their way to work? Jamming out to the hits of the ‘90s is an essential part of the commuter’s experience. However, if you’re also a fan of K-pop, you’ll know that singing along is virtually impossible without lyrics convenient running along on the screen.

Currently (or previously, depending on when you’re reading this), Spotify offers a rudimentary lyrics service with select songs. However, despite offering the lyrics themselves, the app (partnered with Genius) also displays factoids about the song you’re listening to. Though interesting, the barrage of facts can distract you when all you want is a singalong for your road trip.

Thankfully enough, Spotify is finally renewing its forgotten partnership with Musixmatch, as reported by TechCrunch. The music streaming service partnered with the lyrics provider before but ended the service in 2016. Soon afterwards, Spotify partnered with Genius for the current Behind the Lyrics option, factoids and all.

With the renewed Musixmatch partnership, Spotify is going back to providing uninterrupted lyrics in real time. Users can turn unabated lyrics on through the Lyrics button at the bottom.

In an exceedingly rare instance, Spotify is not launching the new feature in the US first. Instead, the feature will first come to India, South America, and Southeast Asia (which includes the Philippines). The update should have rolled out starting June 30, 10 a.m. EDT. If you haven’t received the update yet, you can manually check for updates on the Google Play or App Store.

Apps

Reddit might force third-party apps to close

One developer is being charged US$ 20 million

Published

June 1, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Though the platform works differently, Reddit is much like other social media platforms. For one, it relies on users signing up for the service to interact with one another through threads. However, Reddit is also similar by offering its API to third parties. If you’re not happy with using the original website or app, developers can create apps tailored to optimize the experience. Unfortunately, those might soon go away.

Recently, Reddit announced a round of changes coming to its API rules. Starting June 19, the platform will charge third parties for access to their API. In a nutshell, any developer who wants to continue offering a tailored Reddit experience must pay up to access the website.

According to the company, the changes are a result of emerging AI technologies which leverage Reddit for language learning. Naturally, the company isn’t happy with being used for free, resulting in a paid scheme coming soon.

Unfortunately, the pricing scheme isn’t affordable for smaller developers who just want to offer a cleaner experience of the website. Apollo, one of the most popular third-party alternatives to Reddit’s main app, recently announced that Reddit is charging US$ 20 million per year to keep the app running as is. Christian Selig, the app’s developer, confirms that the figure is just too much.

Other apps have not disclosed their discussions with the platform. However, their users have already lamented the impending doom of third-party apps and their involvement with the platform as a whole.

For their part, Reddit says that Selig’s figure only reflects a standard rate, rather than a specialized one as discussed with Apollo. The company remains adamant that it wants to be equitable and civil towards third-party apps.

SEE ALSO: Reddit acquires Dubsmash

Apps

MOVE IT improves motorcycle taxi app

Integrates Grab support

Published

May 31, 2023

GadgetMatch

If you’re wondering why MOVE IT is visible on the Grab app, it’s because the homegrown motorcycle ride-hailing app has undergone a massive overhaul.

Already a TNVS player in the Philippines before the COVID-19 pandemic, MOVE IT received support from Grab for a better overall experience.

The upgraded app has improved safety, reliability, and user experience. This includes a 99.95 percent uptime for seamless booking, especially during peak hours.

Coverage areas currently include the following cities:

Paranaque
Pasay
Taguig
Makati
Pateros
Pasig
Mandaluyong
Manila
San Juan
Southern Quezon City
Marikina

The app also features a built-in calling feature, eliminating the need for messaging apps or mobile load to make calls.

Grab’s map and navigation data have also been integrated into the app. When in transit, MOVE IT has a Share-My-Ride feature, ensuring that loved ones are constantly updated about one’s trip.

As for payments, MOVE IT accepts cashless options, including credit and debit cards, with e-wallets soon to follow for further convenience.

MOVE IT is available to download via the App Store and Google Play.

Apps

Apple Music Classical is now on Android

Before an iPad app can come out

Published

May 31, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

A few months ago, Apple released Apple Music Classical. Though it caters only a specific genre, the app made a lot of waves because of what its existence implies for the future of music streaming. Now, if you’re a classical fan but living on Android, the new app is now available from the Play Store.

As long as you subscribe to Apple Music, you can download and install Apple Music Classical to make the most out of Apple’s tailored algorithm. While the app won’t offer anything new in terms of content, it boasts of a better algorithm to sort out the exact performance you want of a musical piece.

The app allows users to search based on a lot of different parameters including composer, performance date, and venue, among others. Besides the advanced algorithm, the app also offers high-fidelity audio for the discerning classical fan. While the regular app already offers the latter, Apple Music can also benefit from an advanced algorithm to help curate its mountain of content.

Now, the same experience is available for Android users. Of note, the Android version arrives before an optimized version for the iPad and the Mac. However, since Primephonic (the base app underneath Apple Music Classical) is already available on Android, it should be a no-brainer that it comes as easily to Android.