Essential Phone gets magnetic headphone jack module

The first new attachment module for the Essential Phone is finally here. What did Essential decide to finally release? Its magnetic 3.5mm headphone jack dongle. The company has been working on this module since September last year and it has been touted as a major feature since the phone launched but we’re only getting it now. The Audio Adapter HD isn’t just a headphone jack, it also comes with a high-resolution ESS Sabre DAC with an “audiophile-grade amp” that is “crafted from machined titanium for exceptional durability.” No word on pricing yet but it will finally start shipping this summer.

This module is part of the company’s focus on music. One of the other new things coming to the smartphone is support for Tidal’s Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) lossless tracks. Tidal will be offering Essential Phone owners a free three-month subscription to its Hi-Fi tier so they can try out the higher-resolution audio themselves. Rumours have been swirling that Essential has cancelled its second phone and are even looking into selling the company. But it looks like that isn’t affecting the release of new hardware just yet.

Source: The Verge

Tidal adds pre-save option to streaming service

If you’re on Spotify, the concept of pre-saving music isn’t new. Now, if you’re on Tidal, too, you’re finally getting this option. When you pre-save an album, it means that album will show up in your library when it gets released. Tidal is launched the feature on its service with the new Deadmau5 album that’s about to come out.

Source: The Verge

Kanye West wants to terminate deal with Tidal

Jason Persse/Flickr

It looks like the rift between Kanye West and JAY-Z is growing wider. A source close to Kanye West confirmed that their party has terminated Tidal’s exclusivity rights to his music based on the streaming service’s alleged failure to honor its financial obligations. According to a report that appeared on TMZ, Tidal owes him “more than $3 million” after his album The Life of Pablo allegedly “resulted in 1.5 million new subscribers to Tidal, for which he was supposed to get a bonus but the company hasn’t paid.” He was supposedly not compensated for his music videos either.

For Tidal’s part, they say West hasn’t delivered the videos that were required by his contract and that he is still beholden to his agreement. There don’t seem to be any lawsuits yet but we won’t be surprised if we hear something soon. It isn’t a secret that Tidal is having struggles with attracting and retaining paid subscribers, especially compared against the likes of Spotify and Apple Music. Losing exclusivity rights to a big star like West will hurt. Let’s see how this all plays out. If you want to read more about the strain in West and JAY-Z’s relationship, this Engadget piece calling out the entire thing as a break about “ego and not money.”

Source: Billboard

Neil Young restores catalog on music streaming services

After one year or so of swearing off music streaming services due to audio quality issues, fock/rock musician Neil Young finds his music catalog back in the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. His music has been on Tidal due to the streaming service offering a “HiFi” tier in its service for those who want lossless quality tunes.

Young had been concentrating on its Pono brand, which included the PonoPlayer and PonoMusic download service. Both focusing on offering maximum audio quality. However, PonoMusic has been offline since July following the acquisition of its platform provider Omnifone. Perhaps, the drop in income has made Young reconsider his position. If you’re a fan and on these services, this is good news for you.

Source: AppleInsider