spotify – PSafe Blog

Spotify Launches First Episode of Its Own Original Podcast

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 16:00:03 +0000

Starting in late February, Spotify began streaming their new original podcast series, Showstopper, which was quickly followed by a second series, Unpacked. Spotify’s third project, The Chris Lighty Story (the working title), is soon to follow, with a premiere date sometime in April.

The first series, hosted by The Fader’s Editor in Chief, Naomi Zeichner, narrows in on the process behind music selection in today’s most popular TV shows. Three episodes have been released thus far, featuring interviews with the music supervisors from Girls, The OC, and Being Mary Jane. The podcast covers everything from lyrics to soundtrack decisions (based on current pop culture and political movements). Zeichner and her guests dive into the intricacies involved in creating a momentous scene on TV with music choices, especially when it comes to featuring artists and songs that can make or break the mood of the moment.

Unpacked, meanwhile, takes on the country’s biggest music festivals, with hosts Matt FX (Broad City’s music supervisor) and Michele Santucci (of Spotify Studios) traveling around the country to interview the creative minds behind festivals like South by Southwest. The Chris Lighty Story will focus on the music industry executive and his part in building the careers of hip hop’s lauded figures LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, and Puff Daddy. The podcast will deal with a range of issues, from Chris Lighty’s own tumultuous path, to the rise of hip hop and the consequences of success.

These projects are the products of partnerships with Panoply Studios (involved in producing Showstopper and Unpacked) and Gimlet Media and Loudspeakers Network (responsible for The Chris Lighty Show). The first two podcasts will be streamed exclusively on Spotify, while The Chris Lighty Show will appear on other platforms just 8 weeks after its release.

Spotify’s objective is to provide opportunities for podcasts to reach the platform’s diverse audience pool, according to an interview between Nieman Lab’s Nicholas Quah and Spotify’s Dossie McCraw. McCraw, who is the company’s head of podcasts, claims that Spotify will be able to help podcast publishers with “creative, marketing, and event production support,” hoping to tap into users’ vested interest in music, music history, and key figures in the development of the industry.

This move comes at an interesting time, as companies like Apple, Pandora, and Spotify are all competing to provide fresh, accessible content to their music-streaming users in novel ways. It will be interesting to see how these platforms progress and evolve as they vie for wider audiences and new angles for streaming opportunities.

Spotify is Available for Free, but at What Expense?

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:06:58 +0000

Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming service, just suffered a major security crisis. A staggering number of music lovers reported that the freemium streaming service was allowing malware-infested ads to reach its users. Reports posted to Spotify’s company forum stated that running Spotify Free on a desktop was causing browsers to open malicious websites without approval from users.

The problem initially came to the attention of the company after Spotify subscribers took to Twitter to report on suspicious behavior happening on laptops and computers while the streaming service was open on browsers, citing that the service’s ads were filled with links to malware. Others reported that the infected ads opened at regular and frequent intervals without the user’s input. While it was initially believed to be a problem endemic only to Windows 10, it appears that Spotify’s malware woes extended to computers running on Ubuntu and MacOS as well.

As surprising and discomforting as this news may be to subscribers of the popular streaming service, Spotify has actually dealt with similar problems in the past. In 2011, the company experienced the exact same issue, with customers complaining that advertisements were opening and running malware on their computers. Spotify went on to swiftly resolve the issue, but not before issuing a public apology to those affected by the incident.

As of October 6th, Spotify employees tracked the source of the malware down to a single advertisement, which, according to Spotify representatives, has been removed and is no longer a security risk to free Spotify subscribers. Still, even with the problem identified and seemingly solved, this is far from reassuring news, given that of the service’s 100 million users across the globe, about 60% of them subscribe to the free tier.

While this most recent security gaffe has since been fixed by the Spotify development team, and they are currently monitoring activity on the free edition of Spotify in the event that any issues persist, it’s understandable for some to want to take extra precautions to ensure their safety, privacy, and well-being online. If you’re willing to sink a few dollars into your music service a month, upgrading to the ad-free Spotify service would prevent you from receiving unwanted and potentially dangerous advertising from them in the future. However, there are effective steps you can take to remain safe if you do decide to keep the free Spotify service.

If you elect to keep the free version of Spotify, the easiest way to prevent any future malicious ads from infiltrating your devices is to download PSafe Total and PSafe Total Windows. PSafe Total’s antivirus software scans your device 24/7 to detect and remove threats. With the app installed, you can carefreely listen to the free version of Spotify, knowing that PSafe will immediately detect any dangerous ads or threats. As an added bonus, PSafe Total will also optimize your computer or phone’s speed so that Spotify songs don’t lag!

A Guide to Making a Great Spotify Playlist

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 12:27:18 +0000

So you downloaded Spotify and it’s time to get down to business. Making playlists. It’s easy to create customized playlists with your favorites, to find new music you’ll love, and lots more when you know your way around the world of Spotify. Read on for your best tips for creating epic playlists.

Start from Scratch
You can start a new playlist by searching for a particular artist, era, or musical genre. When the songs relevant to your search appear on the screen, click on any artist’s name for a list of related artists. This way, you can discover great new (or forgotten old) music that is similar to the stuff you already like. It’s sort of like having a radio station that exists only to please your musical palate.

More Playlist Options
You can find playlists made by other Spotify users on sharemyplaylists.com. Just click “play” to check them out, and subscribe if you like them. You can also go to spotibot.com and click “more options,” located under the search bar. Input the name of an artist (or artists) you like. Then, select the number of songs you’d like to have in the playlist, choose “Generate Playlist,” and the app will create an automated playlist according to your specifications.

Organizing and Sharing Your Playlists
When you start building up several playlists, use folders to keep them organized. Go to File, then select “New Playlist Folder,” name it, and you’re ready to fill it up with all your killer music. You can make your playlists private or share them. By default, your Spotify playlists are available for anyone to subscribe to. To change this, right click on a playlist and uncheck “Publish.” You can also make a playlist just for you and your friends. When you right-click, choose “collaborative playlist.” Whoever you share it with will be able to subscribe to it and add or delete songs.

Which Music Streaming Service is Right for You?

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:43:56 +0000

If it weren’t hard enough to stay on top of new music, today’s market is also crowded with options on how how to stream it! From an online service that selects music for you, to a device-transferable app that gives you access to artists’ complete oeuvre, the choices can feel a little overwhelming. Here, we’ll compare three of today’s most popular streaming services so you can move forward with building a customized listening experience.

1. Spotify.

Free with ads; $10 for subscription; free app.

Spotify offers multiple ways to find and organize music. You can listen to nearly any artist, search by song or album, and create your own playlists along the way. Spotify can create personalized playlists based on the songs and type of music you regularly listen to, as well as offer ready-made playlists according to mood and genre. The subscription service, Spotify Premium, also allows users to download music directly onto their phones for listening offline.

2. Apple Music.

$9.99 per month for an individual subscription; $14.99 for a family subscription for up to six people; 3-month free trial; free app.

Apple started the music streaming revolution with iTunes back in 2003. Apple Music now has a catalog of over 30 million songs to choose from, and you can also browse new music curated by an in-house team. Like Spotify, Apple Music also serves up personalized recommendations, and lets users create their own playlists. Distinctive Apple Music features include radios stations for music and interviews, and a Connect features that lets you learn more about your favorite artists.

3. Pandora.

Free with ads; existing users $3.99 per month; new users $4.99 per month; free app.

Pandora is all about discovering artists you haven’t heard before. Pandora’s library is the result of the Music Genome Project, a comprehensive internal algorithm that matches artists and songs according to common characteristics (e.g. style, rhythm, gender of artist). Users first choose a song or artist, and the software then designs a unique playlist that will include your choice, along with similar music Pandora believes you will enjoy. And if you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for, the service also offers hundreds of genre stations for easy streaming.

Ready to start listening? Rely on PSafe Total to ensure your experience isn’t ruined by slow streaming. The software’s Memory Booster app helps you optimize your data and suggests how to free up storage space. The goal of PSafe Total is to speed up your phone altogether, so your music streaming experience is smooth, and seamless.

5 Stunning Behind-the-Scenes Instagram Accounts

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:12:42 +0000

As you already know, Instagram is a photo sharing app that has quickly become one of the fastest growing social networks out there. While “Selfies” and “Throwbacks” are fun, get even more out of the Instagram experience by following accounts that will give you a glimpse into the innovative inner workings of some of your favorite brands and companies.

1. Walt Disney Studios (@disneystudios)

Are you counting down the days until the premiere of Finding Dory? If you want the inside scoop on Disney’s latest releases, look no further than the Walt Disney Studios account! Followers are treated to adorable animations, character sketches, and exclusive sneak peeks into movies in the making (Have you heard about Moana?). With everything from artwork to previews, this account has enough exclusive content to impress even the famous mouse himself.

2. Spotify Design Team (@spotifydesign)

You may know Spotify as a music streaming service, but have you ever taken a moment to appreciate the stunning visual design of the site? The creative geniuses responsible are members of the Spotify design team, and lucky for us, they operate their own Instagram account. By following this account, users can get a glimpse into the quirky Spotify office, and the eccentric and incredibly talented designers who work there.

3. Science Channel (@sciencechannel)

Do you ever wonder how your favorite products are made? If so, the Science Channel Instagram account has you covered! Check out posts featuring the hashtag #howitsmade to get an inside look at the science behind everything from ice cream cones to football stadiums.

4. IKEA Today (@ikeatoday)

IKEA furniture is known for its Swedish design, and by following the IKEA Today account, followers get an exclusive look at the design process for IKEA’s newest collections. Featuring preliminary sketches, designer testimonials, and product prototypes, this account will leave you inspired to redecorate a room or two.

5. NBC Olympics (@nbcolympics)

Don’t wait for the games to begin to get connected to the Olympics through social media! While NBC is known for its up-to-date coverage of every game, the NBC Olympics Instagram account gives followers an inside look into the lives of athletes competing in those games, and the construction of the stadiums in which it all takes place. With the Rio games only months away, followers can get an inside glance at Rio 2016 merchandise, the Olympic torch relay, and breathtaking photos of the host city.

5 Spotify Playlists to Brighten the Dullest Moments

PSafe Newsroom — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:38:40 +0000

Spotify gives users access to millions of songs on all their devices, including their computers, tablets, and Android phones. The music streaming giant prides itself on having hundreds of ready-made playlists to match any mood, but it has also created playlists that can fulfill music needs we never knew we had. Check out these playlists to jazz up some formerly quiet parts of your day:

1. The Perfect Crafternoon

Featuring nearly 70 songs, The Perfect Crafternoon is the perfect playlist to rock out to while attempting those DIY projects you saw on Pinterest. Whether you’re painting, knitting, or scrapbooking, classic hits by Colbie Caillat, Coldplay, and many more will help keep the creative juices flowing.

2. Keep Calm and Stretch On

Whether you’re cooling down from a long run, or getting the kinks out first thing in the morning, Keep Calm and Stretch On creates a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere for a satisfying stretch session. The soft acoustic tracks of John Mayer, and Vance Joy will help free your mind, and body of stress.

3. Walk in Like You Own the Place

Who needs a pep talk when you have a playlist like this one? Walk in Like You Own the Place will help you take on your exam, presentation, or interview with confidence. Featuring heavy rap from Kanye, Drake, and Jay Z, this playlist is a sure way to start your day with a bang.

4. Cup of Tea With the Queen

Pinkies up, mates! If you’re in the mood for a quick, relaxing trip across the pond, Cup of Tea With the Queen will not disappoint. Featuring 20 British Rock hits from artists like Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, and John Lennon, this playlist sets the perfect mood for a classy afternoon.

5. Kitchen Swagger

At the end of a long day, you don’t need to feel as burned out as the chicken you’re cooking. Slice, and dice while rocking out to your favorite hits. Featuring classics like, “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” and “No Diggity,” Kitchen Swagger will keep you feeling fresh through all three courses.

Ready to Rock?

Never sit in silence again! Browse through Spotify’s endless assortment of playlists to find your favorites, or create your own. Then, check out our blog to learn more about top music streaming services, and see how you can release your own musical genius on Musical.ly.

Already have a favorite Spotify playlist? Share it with us in the comments below?