MixRadio

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MixRadio
260px
The current MixRadio app for mobile devices
The current MixRadio app for mobile devices
Developer(s) MixRadio Limited, Line Corporation (2015-present)
Microsoft Mobile (2014-2015)
Nokia (2007-2014)
Stable release 4.2.2588 (Android), 1.5 (iOS), 4.5.4.475 (Windows Phone) / October 29, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-10-29), December 10, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-12-10), November 23, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-11-23)
Development status Active
Operating system Android
iOS
Apple Watch
Windows
OS X
Amazon Appstore
BlackBerry
Windows Phone
Tizen
Adidas miCoach Smart Run
Sonos
Harman Kardon
Website mixradiomusic.com

MixRadio, formerly Nokia MixRadio, Nokia Music, Nokia Music Store and OVI Music Store, is a global music streaming service. MixRadio allows free streaming of playlists (and offline downloading of mixes for local playback) without any subscriptions and is available in 31 countries, including the US, Brazil, India and China. It has a catalogue of over 36 million songs.[1] The music file format used by the store is MP3 without any DRM protection.

The service was originally developed by Nokia in 2007, and was part of the company's sale of its mobile device business to Microsoft in April 2014. Microsoft, already having Xbox Music, decided to spin-off the service, with LINE Corporation purchasing the service in December 2014.[2]

MixRadio was officially released to the Android and iOS app stores on May 19, 2015.[3] MixRadio quickly reached 100,000 downloads on the Android platform a week later, and hit the 500,000 download milestone on June 8, 2015.

As of June 13, 2015 MixRadio has amassed more than 1,000,000 (1 million) downloads for its Android app in the Google Play Store alone.[4]

The HTC BlinkFeed integration with MixRadio went live on June 9, 2015.[5]

MixRadio attended the New Music Seminar in New York City from June 21–23, 2015.[6]

MixRadio also attended the Firefly Music Festival held in Dover, Delaware from June 18–21, 2015 as a sponsor of the festival's Treehouse Sessions. These sessions included intimate performances from artists such as Awolnation and Betty Who.[7]

MixRadio started the second half of 2015 off as a sponsor of the Grillstock BBQ and Music Festival held on July 11–12, 2015.[8] The festival featured performances from renowned acts such as De La Soul and The Heavy (band).[9]

MixRadio is currently the number one music app in Indonesia with over 1,000,000 (1 million) downloads of its Android app from the Google Play Store alone in the first month of availability.[10]

Starting in late September 2015, MixRadio is now available to download through the Amazon Appstore (and consequently BlackBerry devices).[11] The app is also preinstalled on the Samsung Z3, a smartphone running the Tizen operating system.[12]

In the first week of November 2015 MixRadio went live for the Apple Watch platform as an update to the iOS client[13] , in addition to the full-featured web browser client being made available on Windows and OS X.[14]

Availability

As of October 2015, MixRadio is available as a free app for Android, iOS, Apple Watch, Amazon Appstore, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Adidas miCoach Smart Run and Harman Kardon Omni Speaker range.

MixRadio is available in 31 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Vietnam.

History

2007-2011

The service was originally launched in 2007 when Nokia set up their Nokia Comes With Music service, in partnership with Universal Music Group International, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, EMI, and hundreds of independent labels and music aggregators, to allow 12, 18, or 24 months of unlimited free-of-charge music downloads with the purchase of a Nokia Comes With Music edition phone. Files could be downloaded on mobile devices or personal computers, and kept permanently.[15]

On 29 August 2007 Nokia launched the Ovi Music Store as part of the Ovi[16][17] services portal from Nokia.[18] The original idea behind the store was to provide to all Nokia MP3 capable mobile users a music store on the phone as on the PC. The Ovi Music Store officially opened in the UK on 1 October 2007 with offering of music from SonyBMG, Universal Music, EMI and Warner Music Group, as well as others.[19] This service had its own software to serve as front gate of the store on the PC and on the phones. It was called Nokia Ovi Player, and later Nokia Music Player.

In October 2008, Nokia announced the Nokia 5800, a direct competitor to the iPhone and with it the service Comes With Music,[20] which consists of a year of free music downloads included in the price of the phone. This service was optional to the carriers.

Within the box of the phone there was a card with an ID that will be linked to the PC (MAC address) and mobile phone (IMEI), so that PC and mobile phone have unlimited music downloads for over a year.[15]

Until 2010 the service had DRM files that cannot be burned onto CDs but only played from the phone. In case the user wanted to burn the song, they had to buy it from the store. During the latter part of 2010 and into 2011, Nokia Music continued developing its app client for the MeeGo platform along with its existing Symbian platform.[21]

In January 2011 Nokia withdrew this program in 27 countries, due to its failure to gain traction; existing subscribers could continue to download until their contracts ended. The service continued to be offered until 2014 in China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa where take-up was better.[22]

Nokia Music launched for the first time on the Windows Phone platform with the Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 on October 26, 2011 in London.[21]

2012-2013

With the launch of Windows Phone 8 in late 2012, Nokia Music came to the platform with an app optimised for the new operating system from Microsoft. During the following months, Nokia Music was also released to the Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT app stores.

Nokia Music launched in the U.S. market on September 15, 2012 with a performance at Irving Plaza by Green Day. Fans were treated to a special performance from the band, along with heavy social media involvement by AT&T, Nokia, the band themselves and Warner Bros.[23]

On the 20 November 2013 Nokia renamed the service to "Nokia MixRadio". This change also made its way to the Windows 8 and Windows RT app stores[24] The following day, Nokia MixRadio made its official global launch with a special event in New York City where musical artist Nile Rodgers played[25]

2014-present

Nokia MixRadio began the year with the launch of the MixRadio app for the Nokia Asha and Nokia X platforms at Mobile World Congress[disambiguation needed] in February 2014.[26]

The service was again renamed to only "MixRadio" in 1 July 2014, to reflect the change of ownership from Nokia to Microsoft. On September 11, 2014, the MixRadio application was announced for the Sonos range of wireless speakers with a companion app[27] MixRadio further extended their reach on the 27 November 2014, with the application being added to the adidas miCoach Smart Run touchscreen watch.[28]

On 18 December 2014, after mulling a spin-off of the service, Microsoft announced that it would sell MixRadio to LINE Corporation, a subsidiary of Naver Corporation, for an undisclosed amount.[2] MixRadio started the new year with the announcement on 5 January 2015 of the MixRadio coming to the Harman Kardon Omni line of wireless speakers, continuing their exclusive partnership with audio technology partners.[29]

In March 2015, the transaction was completed and MixRadio Ltd was formed, as a subsidiary of LINE. At this time, beta versions of the app were released for Android and iOS.[30] A campaign with the United Nations to mark the International Day of Happiness, with the hashtag #HappySoundsLike was also started, launching an international and inspirational playlist.[31] MixRadio also sponsored and attended the South by Southwest music festival held from March 17–22, 2015 in Austin, Texas.

On May 19, 2015 MixRadio announced the launch of the commercial iOS and Android apps with simultaneous launch events in New York City and Singapore (held as part of the Music Matters Live festival in South-East Asia).[32] MixRadio also announced their partnership with HTC at this event to integrate MixRadio into the BlinkFeed software of HTC smartphones.[33]

During the third quarter of 2015, MixRadio further expanded its reach to other platforms, namely Apple Watch, Amazon Appstore and Tizen. In the first week of November 2015, MixRadio launched as a fully featured web browser client for the Windows and OS X operating systems, mirroring the look and functionality of its smartphone apps.[34]

Features

Catalogue

As of June 2015, MixRadio has licensed a collection of over 36 million music tracks. These tracks are collated from major, major independent and local music labels.[35]

Mixes

MixRadio operates on the premise of playlists, named "mixes". Upon loading the app for the first time, the user is prompted to select some of their favourite genres, which will then ask for favourite artists that the user can choose. This is then designated the user's "My mix". Users are also able to select pre-made mixes by theme or genre, (for example 'Top 40 Australian charts' or 'Rock workout') or create their own mix purely on the selection of artists.[36]

Optimised mixes

Users of MixRadio are able to like ('heart') or dislike ('broken heart)' a song as it is played, upon which these personal listening tastes are saved and new songs based on the users' preferences are played next in the mix. MixRadio have a team of staff that personally curate mixes tailored to the data collected around listeners' tastes and habits.[36]

Offline mixes

A big premise of MixRadio is its ability to download mixes offline. This enables users to listen to their favourite mixes when not in range of a WiFi or mobile data connection.

Work with artists; social media presence

MixRadio often sponsors music launches, festivals and events to support local and major musical artists. Some of these festivals include: South by Southwest, Music Matters Live, Firefly Music Festival and Grillstock. These are often promoted on MixRadio's social media channels, which aids the discovery of new music for listeners and festival attendees alike.

MixRadio has an active Tumblr blog at http://mixradioblog.tumblr.com/, that is kept up-to-date with the latest competitions, news, and interviews.

MixRadio also holds a daily-updated presence on Twitter at the links below:

MixRadio: https://twitter.com/mixradio

MixRadio US & Candada: https://twitter.com/mixradioNA

MixRadio India: https://twitter.com/mixradioindia

MixRadio Indonesia: https://twitter.com/mixradioID

Unlimited downloads

In India, MixRadio was available for all Nokia Asha, Lumia and Nokia X phones. Users could download songs from MixRadio for free for the first three months after purchase of a Nokia Asha, Lumia or X-series phone, following which the subscription could be renewed for a fixed time period through the purchase of a voucher either online via the Oxicash website or offline through Nokia Care outlets. For Nokia Asha phones, subscription could also be renewed via carrier billing, with the supported carriers being Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. However, the vouchers were no longer issued from May 2014 and in November 2014, Microsoft announced that unlimited downloads from MixRadio will no longer be supported.[37]

MixRadio for Android and iOS public beta

In late August 2015, MixRadio beta was opened to the general public to help test and contribute feedback regarding the app itself. The public betas were later expanded to the MixRadio client on iOS in early October 2015. To date, there have been a number of versions released for each platform, with the full details outlined in the Version History table below.

Version history

The following table shows the version history of the MixRadio app for Android and iOS platforms, with the main notable changes listed for each new build.

Platform Version Release date Features
Android 4.2.2637 (beta) January 4, 2016 When you add more artists to 'My mix', it remembers the music genres and artists you picked the previous time.
Android 4.2.2588 (stable) December 7, 2015 Design updates. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements. You can now take a mix offline without having to play it first.
Android 4.2.2582 (beta) December 2, 2015 Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
Android 4.2.2551 (beta) November 20, 2015 You can now take a mix offline without having to play it first. Design updates. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
Android 4.1.2513 (stable) October 29, 2015 Improvements to push notifications.
Android 4.1.2508 (beta) October 23, 2015 Improved memory handling especially whilst using the Widget. Minor bug fixes.
Android 4.1.2500 (stable) October 21, 2015 New widget to control MixRadio playback direct from your Android homescreen. Indicator of track progress now displayed within the main app and the widget itself. Like and dislike options now available directly in the notification bar and the widget. Usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Android 4.1.2466 (beta) October 7, 2015 Skip counter now displays upon skipping tracks to let the user know how many free skips are remaining within their mix. Album cover slider now present to utilise skipping to the next track in the mix. Deep-linking now supported within the app. In-app adverts now display full-screen with a timer instead of at the bottom of the app. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements related to push notifications.
Android 4.1.2445 (beta) September 30, 2015 New widget allows you to view and control playback direct from your Android home screen. You can now like and dislike tracks from both the Android notification bar and the widget. We've added a track progress indicator to the player and mini player. The app now supports notifications to keep you up to date on what's happening at MixRadio. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
Android 4.0.2371 (stable) September 8, 2015 Complete new look with funky animations and more. You can now swipe to the left to skip tracks in the Player screen. Automatic offlining of My Mix so you'll never be without music (download only happens over Wi-Fi). If you completely lose your network connection when streaming a mix, we'll start playing an offline mix to keep the music flowing. There’s now no need to enter your username or password when registering or signing in with a Facebook or Google+ account.
Android 4.0.2367/2364 (beta) September 2, 2015 The Create a Mix and Offline pages have been re-designed. The Mini Player now appears more consistently within the app. You can now swipe left to skip to the next track in the Player screen. Minor bug fixes.
Android 3.3.2343 (beta) August 22, 2015 A completely new look with funky animations and more. The new Mini Player at the bottom of the screen lets you see and control your music from any page in the app. We'll automatically offline My Mix so you'll never be without music (download only happens over Wi-Fi). If you completely lose your network connection when streaming a mix, we'll start playing an offline mix to keep the music flowing. There's now no need to enter your username or password when registering or signing in with a Facebook or Google+ account. Minor bug fixes and improvements.
Android 3.3.2309 (stable) August 11, 2015 Player performance. Skipped tracks start to play much more quickly. Fixed a bug related to battery consumption. Various other bug fixes.
Android 3.3.2259 (beta) July 16, 2015 Playback improvements - to start playing the next track quicker.
Android 3.2.2205 (stable) June 30, 2015 Various minor bug fixes.
Android 3.2.2190 (stable) June 26, 2015 App performance. Mixes and tracks start playback much more quickly. Various minor bug fixes.
Android 3.2.2162 (beta) June 19, 2015 Further improvements to the playback experience.
Android 3.0.2063 (stable) May 19, 2015 Initial release.
Android 3.0.2045 (beta) May 11, 2015 A message which explains how to navigate back to the Player screen, by clicking on the timer at the top of the screen (some Beta users told us they found the Player difficult to find). An invitation to rate the app in the Store.
Android 3.0.2011 (beta) April 29, 2015 Updated the app icon. Bug fixes and stability/performance improvements.
Android 2.2.1960 (beta) April 14, 2015 High quality audio is now enabled over mobile data by default (previously it was only enabled over Wi-Fi). Bug fixes and stability/performance improvements.
Android 2.2.1942 (beta) April 2, 2015 Audio quality: you can now listen to mixes in high quality audio (this works for both online and offline mixes). Bluetooth: we've improved how the app works over Bluetooth connections and also with wired headphones. An improved settings menu. Bug fixes for notifications. Improvement to offline mix downloading.
iOS 1.5 (stable) December 10, 2015 Added support for Universal Deep Links in iOS9. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
iOS 1.4 (stable) November 2, 2015 Added support for the Apple Watch - you can now control playback, like and dislike tracks, and start My Mix directly from your wrist.
iOS 1.4.0.2457 (beta) October 5, 2015 Added support for the Apple Watch - you can now control playback, like and dislike tracks, and start My Mix directly from your wrist. We will automatically offline My Mix so you'll never be without music (download only happens over Wi-Fi). If you completely lose your network connection when streaming a mix, we will start playing an offline mix to keep the music flowing. Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.
iOS 1.3 (stable) August 19, 2015 iOS9 support. Player performance. Skipped tracks start to play much more quickly. Various minor bug fixes.
iOS 1.2 (stable) July 3, 2015 App performance. Mixes and tracks start playback much more quickly. Various minor bug fixes.
iOS 1.1.0 (stable) June 8, 2015 Fix for playback issues in Thailand.
iOS 1.0.0 (stable) May 19, 2015 Initial release.

See also

  • Line Music, another music streaming service operated by Line Corporation

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://musically.com/2014/07/17/what-next-for-nokias-mixradio-basically-were-planning-a-spin-off-exclusive/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mixradio.droid&hl=en
  5. ↑ https://twitter.com/tuttonp/status/608165239654346752
  6. ↑ http://newmusicseminar.com/performanceschedule/
  7. ↑ https://fireflyfestival.com/experience/photos-videos/treehouse-sessions/
  8. ↑ http://twitter.com/MixRadio/status/619506372397240320?s=01
  9. ↑ http://grillstock.co.uk/
  10. ↑ http://cdn1.xamarin.com/webimages/assets/Xamarin-Case-Study-MixRadio.pdf
  11. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/MixRadio-Limited-Music/dp/B0153G412S#mas-app-permissions
  12. ↑ http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-launches-tizen-powered-z3-india
  13. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mixradio/id940125626?mt=8
  14. ↑ https://mixrad.io/
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/08/29/nokia.5610.and.music.store/
  17. ↑ http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9767800-1.html
  18. ↑ <http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1149748
  19. ↑ http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/nokia-music-store-goes-live-uk
  20. ↑ [1][dead link]
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 http://dev.mixrad.io/blog/2014/08/05/MixRadio-History/
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/branding/1083736/how-green-day-warner-bros-mac-nokia-att-teamed-up-for-social
  24. ↑ http://www.wpxbox.com/nokia-mixradio-windows-8-released/
  25. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/5800485/nokia-mixradio-launches-with-nile-rodgers
  26. ↑ http://lumiaconversations.microsoft.com//2014/02/27/mixradio-nokia-x-and-asha/
  27. ↑ https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3047/~/sonos-and-mixradio
  28. ↑ http://mixradioblog.tumblr.com/post/103716719713/adidas-micoach-smart-run-powered-by-mixradio
  29. ↑ http://mixradioblog.tumblr.com/post/107224972158/mixradio-now-on-harman-kardon-omni-speakers
  30. ↑ mixradio.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/513746-beta-sign-up-process
  31. ↑ http://www.happysoundslike.com/en/index.html
  32. ↑ http://www.allthatmatters.asia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2015/04/All-That-Matters-Draft-Programme-23.4.15.pdf
  33. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6568889/mixradio-ios-android-nile-rodgers-charli-xcx
  34. ↑ http://mixrad.io
  35. ↑ http://lumiajourneys.com/2015/06/05/english-translation-mixradio-interview-may-2015-singapore-launch-of-ios-and-android-mixradio-apps/
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 http://www.mixradiomusic.com/en-us/features
  37. ↑ You can no longer renew MixRadio Unlimited music download subscriptions in India
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