Rest of the Day: Spotify’s New Kids Category Encourages Learning and Activities
Spotify is updating its Kids & Family category with new playlists for daily activities like Bathing Time, each with age recommendations. The music offered is designed to encourage language development and fun activities.
- However, this isn’t just a regular playlist – there are also voice prompts between songs that encourage kids and parents to interact with each other. This might prompt you to pick the next song together, or perhaps put together a silly dance, TechCrunch reports. Spotify has worked with a number of celebrities to record voiceovers, including Wiz Khalifa and Busy Philipps. [TechCrunch]
- In other news, Lyft is adding the ability to specify a detailed drop-off location so you can, for example, request specific airport gates rather than simply request a ride to JFK. The feature is currently available in over 200 locations, mainly at airports and major venues. [Lyft Blog]
- Airbnb is testing a new app that offers things to do and where to go when you visit the city. The concierge app is called Airbnb Trips and offers city guides, restaurant suggestions, and more. In-app reservations are a potential source of income for the company outside of the main rental business. [Bloomberg]
- Yik Yak, a location-based anonymous chat app, has become less anonymous. They make it a must to give yourself a name, even if it’s just a pseudonym. Previously, the app functioned as an anonymous community message board with messages from (unnamed) nearby users. [The Verge]
- Alphabet is looking at wireless alternatives to provide internet services for Google Fiber , bypassing its namesake because cabling is actually a costly bureaucratic nightmare. Last month, they bought a company that transmits internet services to buildings by transmitting them through an antenna connected to fiber optics. [Wall Street Journal]
- The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is now rolling out to Windows 10 Mobile devices. There are new smilies! [Microsoft via The Verge ]