Apple reportedly asking music labels to take smaller revenue cut from Apple Music

Apple is supposedly renegotiating its licensing deals for Apple Music and iTunes with major music labels. Apple is hoping the labels are up for reducing revenue shares from streaming to bring them closer to the rate that Spotify pays labels. The deals with the record labels are said to expire at the end of the month but there’s a likelihood it will be extended if the parties can’t agree on new terms—at least according to the sources of Bloomberg who asked not to be identified since they’re sharing private information.

Streaming has been seen to be a source of hope for the music industry after a decade of decline in this digital age. With the help of the likes of Apple Music and Spotify, the industry grew by 5.9 percent last year worldwide. Under Apple’s existing deal, labels get around 58 percent of revenue from Apple Music subscribers, which is considered a higher cut than other services. But labels are supposedly amenable to the cut, if Apple meets other requirements. Apple overpaid labels to placate those concerned that the streaming service will cannibalize iTunes, which as shown hasn’t quite happened. But labels are still asking for precautions. Apple won’t comment about the report.

Google Pixel XL might get a size upgrade

Google Pixel XL review

Looks like Google wants to make a Pixel XXL, at least according to the latest rumours. It’s being reported that Google is shelving one of its upcoming Pixel smartphones in favour of releasing a bigger version of Google’s flagship device. A gadget codenamed Muskie was supposed to be the follow-up to the Pixel XL but Google is supposedly opting to release a device codenamed Taimen. It’ll supposedly have a larger screen and chassis compared to the Muskie. Walleye, which is said to be the second-generation Pixel device, will reportedly still be debuted. In case you didn’t know, Google has a thing for naming its upcoming smartphone and tablet releases as a water-dwelling creature. Keen-eyed reporters and Android followers have spotted these monikers on Android Open Source Project’s code repository.

Source: Android Central

Microsoft rumoured to be taking cues from Google Assistant for Cortana redesign

Microsoft’s Cortana might be getting a new look in the future and the company is supposedly looking at its rivals to get this done. Microsoft is supposedly aiming to make the voice assistant’s user interface to look more conversational (think Google Assistant) and instead of just relying on your voice, it’ll let you type out your queries. One other thing that is rumoured to be coming is Microsoft is thinking of movie Cortana to the system tray on the right to make it more difficult for you to hide it (or at least to encourage you to use it). If Microsoft does push through with these plans, will you try it out?

Source: Windows Central + Thurrott

Samsung rumoured to be releasing the Galaxy Note 8 ahead of iPhone 8

The last time Samsung rushed to release a product before Apple released its iPhone, things didn’t go well. In fact, this rumoured device is the predecessor of said disaster. And it seems Samsung wants to one up the upcoming iPhone with a launch around late August, which The Korean Herald points out is “strategically ahead of the debut of the iPhone in September.” It’s been rumoured that Samsung has started work on the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S9 earlier than scheduled to make sure product safety concerns are addressed. The Note 8, The Herald reports, is expected to have a look similar to the Galaxy S8 but with a dual camera setup at the back of the device.  

Right now, these are all just speculation so it’s best to take it all with a grain of salt. As BGR points out, Samsung hasn’t even launched the refurbished Galaxy Note7 devices and it obviously makes more sense that comes out before the next Note device. But we also have to ask, should Samsung carry on using the Note name, even after all it’s been through?