Fitbit removes support for Deezer, Pandora

If you picked up an older Fitbit for music playback, unfortunately, you're losing that option. The Google-owned brand will no longer support Deezer and Pandora on the Sense, Versa 2, and Versa 3. You won't be able to download Pandora stations or add Deezer playlists to your smartwatches. That means after March 31, Fitbit smartwatches lose the support for onboard music. 

Controlling media from your phone is still possible. But this move does further cripple Fitbit's offerings. As The Verge pointed out, it looks like Google wants users to turn to the Pixel Watch as their smartwatch of choice. 

Deezer now supports Sony's 360 Reality format

Through its 360 by Deezer app, the streaming service is adopting Sony's 360 Reality audio format, supporting the company's 360-enabled SRS-RA5000 and RA3000 models. These Chromecast-enabled speakers are getting a new casting feature that offers that immersive audio. You'll need to subscribe to Deezer's premium HiFi tier and use the app to get this feature working. 

Once you do, pick a track on the 360 by Deezer app, then select the "cast" button on the top right corner. This format will allow you to hear different parts of the song as separate, independent sound "objects" with vocals and instruments "placed in positions in a virtual auditorium to create a truly immersive experience for the listener." Deezer joins the likes of Amazon Music and Tidal to get support for Sony's surround sound tech.

Source: Engadget

Deezer gets Apple HomePod and HomePod mini integration

Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash

Deezer subscribers who own Apple HomePod or HomePod mini speakers can now connect their smart speakers to the streaming service and make it the default player, too. Now, you can take advantage of Siri's voice controls to navigate your playlists on Deezer. 

You will need to be a paying Deezer subscriber for this feature to work. If you are, head to the Deezer app on your iOS device that's running iOS 14.3 or later. Head to the settings cog in the top right corner and then scroll down and tap on "Connect with HomePod." And if you mainly use this streaming service to listen to your tune, you can make it your default player. Head to the Home Settings in the top left corner of the Apple Home app. Tap on your face under the People section and then head to Default Service, where you can choose Deezer.

Source: The Verge

Prince's music tipped to be returning to Spotify and other music streaming services

People have been reading between the lines, or at least between the subway posts in New York, saying that Prince's catalog will be making a comeback on popular music streaming services in time for the Grammys on February 12. Currently, Tidal has exclusive streaming rights to the Purple One's back catalog. Speculation started when Spotify started posting very coy billboards in high-foot traffic areas like the Union Square in New York. And by coy, they're just posts painted in purple with Spotify's logo on them. If there is any truth to the rumor, Prince's catalog is expected to hit Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Unlimited, Deezer, and Pandora.

Source: CNET + Billboard