Posts Tagged: 2015

Motorola pushes out Marshmallow for the Moto G (2015) in Europe

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Motorola has started rolling out the much-anticipated Marshmallow update to all unlocked variants of the Moto G (2015) located in Europe. Strangely, the upgrade carries a slightly different version number to the firmware that was released for the handset in India and North America, but it appears to bundle the same functionality, as well as a handful of regional bug fixes and stability improvements.

As previously mentioned, this update transports the latest build of Marshmallow to the handset, and for those unaware of the differences between Android 5.0 and Android 6.0, the newest edition brings greater control over application permissions, an enhanced battery-life through Doze, a redesigned application drawer, and last but not least Fingerprint-authentication for payments.

To see if the upgrade is ready for your device, open up the Settings application, scroll right down to the bottom and tap on About Device, select the System Updates subheading, then tap Check for Updates. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to download and install it.

Via: TechValue

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Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Xiaomi misses 2015 sales target, still manages to sell 70 million phones

Chinese mobile giant Xiaomi has missed its sales target for 2015 by 10 million units, but still managed a 14 percent growth in sales. While it is not a bad sign, it is much smaller than the massive surge in popular Xiaomi noticed in 2014.

The post Xiaomi misses 2015 sales target, still manages to sell 70 million phones appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Motorola Moto 360 (2015) hits Amazon in India

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Motorola’s latest Moto 360 smartwatch has hit Amazon in India.

Prior to today, the only way to purchase the new Moto 360 in India was on Flipkart. With the addition of Amazon, users now have a secondary option when buying the new Moto 360 just in case one sells out.

Up for sale on Amazon are four versions of the smartwatch, the black 46mm, the silver 46mm, the black 42mm, and the silver 42mm. Both black versions include a black leather band and both silver versions come with a cognac leather band. Pricing is nearly the same as Flipkart which ranges from INR 19,999 (approx. $ 300 USD) to INR 24,999 (approx. $ 375 USD). To purchase yours, tap the source link down below.

Source: Amazon

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Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Which smartphone OS wins 2015? Android Marshmallow vs. iOS 9 vs. Windows 10 Mobile

What’s the best smartphone platform of them all? We take a detailed look at the differences between the top three and try to pick a winner for various categories. Who will come out on top as we pit Android against iOS and Windows Phone?

The post Which smartphone OS wins 2015? Android Marshmallow vs. iOS 9 vs. Windows 10 Mobile appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Talk Android Apps of the Week: December 13, 2015

google_play_gifts

It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Talk Android brings you a report on some of the very best applications we’ve been using over the course of the past seven days. Today we’re focusing our attention on a fantastic organization tool, a reliable Roku controller, an amazing wallpaper database and an incredibly addictive puzzle game.

Google Keep

google-keep-app

Organization is key over the Christmas season. It’s important to make lists not only for the gifts you want to buy, but for the groceries you need to pick up, too. I’ve never been a fan of noting down chores on a piece of paper because I always seem to lose them — so this year I’ve done all my preparation on Google Keep.

For those unaware, Keep is an in-house application developed by Google, which enables you to record notes, lists and even photos. Any files created using the service can also be shared with other users, making it extremely easy to collaborate and assign tasks to friends, family and even colleagues.

Android Wear compatibility also means you can view your lists on your wrist. This is great when you’re out shopping as you can simply browse through the items you need to purchase, checking them off along the way.

Play Store Download Link

Click here to view the embedded video.

Roku

Roku-Logo

If you own a Roku set-top-box, I’m sure you’d agree that its remote control is pretty shoddy and comes up short on the functionality scale. Due to its poor quality, the IR blaster has to be pointed directly at the box itself, which is a bit of a pain if you have all your third-party hardware neatly tucked away.

However, Roku recently updated its official companion application for Android to allow users to control their device over WiFi. In addition to having a fully-fledged remote accessible via their smartphone, adoptees will also be able to search for content and remotely open applications without having to trail through Roku’s long-winded menu system.

One of my favourite features, is the facility to push content from either your phone or tablet to your Roku box. I find this particularly handy when I’m having friends and or family round for dinner and they all want to see photos from a recent event or vacation.

Play Store Download Link

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Backdrops

Backdrops-Logo

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I’m quite partial to a creative background or two, and am constantly changing the wallpaper on my smartphone to suit my mood. This week, I think I may have discovered the best Material Design-inspired images database out there.

Backdrops is a free application available to download from the Play Store. It’s filled to the brim with tons of Full HD shots that have been handcrafted by a dedicated design and development team. There are even some device-specific renders stored inside the app, created solely to take full advantage of a handset’s color profiles, in order to produce the clearest possible picture.

Play Store Download Link

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ZigZag

ZigZag

If you have a weakness for a traditional puzzle games, then you’re going to love ZigZag. The title’s objective is simply to keep a ball on a wall. All you have to do is tilt your device up, down left and right to guide the ball along its path without allowing it to fall. As you progress through the game, however, the difficulty increases. Bends will appear more frequently, and the overall pace of the ball escalates.

Play Store Download Link

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Android News, Rumours, and Updates

And the top ads of 2015 on YouTube are…

Each year, we look at the top trending videos on YouTube — the ones viewers chose to watch, share, and watch again. And every year, we see that brands are continuing to raise the bar to make great ads on YouTube — ads that viewers are choosing to watch, share, and watch again.

Today we’re releasing our YouTube Ads Leaderboard for 2015, highlighting the top 10 most popular ads of the year determined by factors including watch time, organic video views, engagement and audience retention. From crushing stereotypes to sharing heartfelt messages, these videos represent the most popular ads watched by YouTube viewers around the world.

While their messages may be unique, one unifying theme of these top trending ads is that they all went mobile. Collectively we watched these top ads more than 470 million times this year, and nearly two-thirds of these views took place on mobile. For the first time ever, more people watched the top 10 ads of the year on mobile devices than on desktop devices.

So without further ado, here are the top trending ads on YouTube in 2015:

  1. Clash of Clans: Revenge (Official Super Bowl TV Commercial)
  2. Hyundai : A Message to Space
  3. Love Has No Labels | Diversity & Inclusion | Ad Council
  4. Boom Beach: Speech (Official TV Commercial)
  5. adidas: Unfollow feat. Leo Messi
  6. Always #LikeAGirl – Unstoppable
  7. Durex – #Connect – Official
  8. Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge – Official Introduction
  9. “Slap her”: children’s reactions
  10. Budweiser USA: #BestBuds | 2015 Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial “Lost Dog”

For more on the top ads lists for the year, visit Think with Google.

Meredith Argeris, YouTube Marketing, recently watched “Imagine the Possibilities | Barbie.


YouTube Blog

Celebrating what you created, watched and shared in 2015 with #YouTubeRewind and YouTube’s new Trending tab

In 2015, you introduced the world to the latest dance crazes, opened up discussions about diversity and inclusion, and lip-synced in cars and onstage in front of millions. The trends you participated in and the creativity you shared defined the year on YouTube in a bigger way than ever before.

It’s time to celebrate. More than 150 YouTube creators from all over the world got together to relive not just the best moments of 2015, but also some of the most memorable viral clips from YouTube history (hey, it’s still our 10th birthday year for a few more days yet …). The result: the 2015 installment of our annual Rewind video, featuring everything from YouTube dance prodigies, some of your favorite TV personalities, an epic plastic ball fight, and even a remix from Avicii.

 

And there’s more. Celebrate some of your favorite moments on YouTube through our official top trending videos of 2015, based on the amount of time people spent watching, sharing, commenting, liking, and more. Topped by one of the year’s biggest dance trends, these videos were watched for over 25 million hours and were created by powerhouse channels with over 40 million subscribers between them.

For the first time, not just one, but four television moments made the top Trending Videos list. Three are late night TV videos of widely popular YouTube trends: the lip sync battle, the in-car singalongs, and the reading of mean tweets. You all love late night TV on YouTube—the time people spent catching up on late-night clips like Corden, Fallon and Kimmel nearly doubled in the last year alone!

  1. Silento- Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) #WatchMeDanceOn by Tianne King
  2. Clash of Clans: Revenge (Official Super Bowl TV Commercial) by Clash of Clans
  3. Crazy Plastic Ball PRANK!! by RomanAtwood
  4. Love Has No Labels | Diversity & Inclusion | Ad Council by Ad Council
  5. Lip Sync Battle with Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart and Jimmy Fallon by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
  6. Justin Bieber Carpool Karaoke by The Late Late Show with James Corden
  7. 6ft Man in 6ft Giant Water Balloon – 4K – The Slow Mo Guys by The Slow Mo Guys
  8. Golden boy Calum Scott hits the right note | Audition Week 1 | Britain’s Got Talent 2015 by Britain’s Got Talent
  9. Dover Police DashCam Confessional (Shake it Off) by Dover Police
  10. Mean Tweets – President Obama Edition by Jimmy Kimmel Live

When it comes to music, 2015 saw some of our fastest-rising videos of all time. Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” reached over 1 billion views in just 6 months and Adele reached the year’s top 10 in just a few weeks. The top 10 music videos collectively have more than 66 million subscribers, and people spent over 37,000 years playing them in 2015.

  1. Wiz Khalifa – See You Again ft. Charlie Puth [Official Video] Furious 7 Soundtrack
  2. Maroon 5 – Sugar
  3. Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do (Official Video)
  4. Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Music Video)
  5. Taylor Swift – Bad Blood ft. Kendrick Lamar
  6. David Guetta – Hey Mama (Official Video) ft Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
  7. Sia – Elastic Heart feat. Shia LaBeouf & Maddie Ziegler (Official Video)
  8. Fifth Harmony – Worth It ft. Kid Ink
  9. Adele – Hello
  10. Silentó – Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) (Official)

…and check out even more top music videos.

And if you love staying on top of the most-anticipated new trailers, hottest music videos, and viral clips from YouTube creators, today we unveil the new YouTube Trending tab. This new tab in your YouTube app delivers the top trending videos directly to your Android, iOS, and desktop device. It’s the best way to catch the videos, creators, and trends that people watch, share, and talk about each and every day. See ’em as they take off and before they appear in YouTube Rewind 2016. And for more Rewind fun, check out the YouTube Rewind channel!

Kevin Allocca, Head of Culture & Trends, and the YouTube Rewind team, recently watched “YouTube Rewind: Now Watch Me 2015 | #YouTubeRewind.


YouTube Blog

Report: Smartphone market will see smallest growth on record in 2015

Smartphone shipments will slow to single-digit growth in 2015, driven by sluggish growth in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Western Europe; and lowered expectations for Windows Phone shipments.

The post Report: Smartphone market will see smallest growth on record in 2015 appeared first on Digital Trends.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Tech for everyone on your holiday and Christmas lists. Laptops, phones, TVs, home theater, gadgets, and more.

The post 2015 Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Digital Trends.

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How to root your Android phone or tablet in 2015 (and unroot it)

Are you wondering whether to root your Android smartphone? Perhaps you’ve decided to do it and you just need to know how? You’ll find an explanation and a quick guide to Android rooting right here.

The post How to root your Android phone or tablet in 2015 (and unroot it) appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Talk Android Apps of the Week: September 27, 2015

google_play_gifts

It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Talk Android brings you a report on some of the very best applications we’ve been using for the past seven days. Today we’re focusing our attention on an awesome third-party launcher, a renowned live-streaming application, a competitive pool game and last, but not least, a must-have travel tool.

Hola Launcher

Hola-Launcher-Android

Up first this week we have Hola Launcher, which made its way onto the Play Store back in August, 2014. I’ve been using this launcher on my LG G4 for a while now, and it’s safe to say, I don’t see myself switching back to Google’s stock alternative any time soon.

The application weights in at a mere 2.9MB, so it won’t take a huge toll on your device’s memory usage, meaning that your handset should stay clean, fast and responsive.

Don’t let its file size fool you, though. Hola is filled to the brim with the latest and greatest functionality any launcher has to offer, all of which are guaranteed to change the way you use your device. A few of my favorite features can be seen below:

  • Smart Folders: Automatically scans through the applications installed on your smartphone and puts them in specific folders based on their category. For example, on my G4 I have Finance, Games, Tools and Social Media folders.
  • Hola shine: An intuitive menu consisting of your most frequently used applications and settings, which can be accessed by swiping up from the bottom right-hand corner of your display.
  • Unrestricted Personalisation: The ability to download and install gorgeous themes, wallpapers, icon packs, fonts and sounds from Hola’s dedicated store.

To really get to grips with Hola Launcher, it’s best to see it in action, so be sure to check out the gallery below.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.27.44 Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.29.05 Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.29.20

Play Store Download Link

Twitch

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If you’re a huge gaming fan like me, you’re probably aware of the online live-streaming platform, Twitch, and since Forza Motorsport 6 launched last week, I’ve been unable to pull myself alway from the hoards of different streams showcasing the title’s insane gameplay — so I thought it only fitting to include Twitch in this week’s Apps of the Week column.

The application itself is essentially a secure portal to Twitch’s website, which gives you a direct link to broadcasts from all of your favorite streamers on your smartphone. If you happen to own a Chromecast, you can even Cast the stream to a big screen, which is great for when there’s a big tournament on, and you want to have a couple of mates over to watch it with you.

Contrary to popular belief, Twitch for Android is actually immensely stable and reliable. I’m happy to report that over the course of the past week, the app did not crash once and streams remained silky smooth in Full HD regardless of the data connection being used at the time (Wi-Fi or 4G).

To see Twitch in full swing, take a look at the demonstration video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Play Store Download Link

8 Ball Pool

8-Ball-Pool

Up third, we have 8 Ball Pool, which is arguably the most entertaining game currently available for Android. The title comes from Miniclip and has been available for the past two years, during this time it has been progressively updated to be one of the best multiplayer game that I have ever played.

Whether you’re competing 1-on-1 or engaging in an eight-player tournament, you’re in for hours of fun. As you progress through the game, potting ball after ball, you’ll unlock exclusive cues, sweet add-ons and access to more prestigious tables on which you can battle for a higher stake.

To see it in 8 Ball Pool, check out the teaser video below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Play Store Download Link

CityMapper

City Mapper

The final app I’m looking at this week is called CityMapper, which is a must-have tool for anyone who relies on public transport to get around. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve headed into Central London only to find myself lost, unfortunately I don’t possess a very good sense of direction as you’ve probably guessed, but CityMapper has always managed to get me to my intended destination in good time.

The service grabs real-time data from a variety of different modes of transport, including trains, buses, and cabs, in order to provide you with the cheapest, fastest route to your port of call. There’s a comprehensive A-to-B journey planner, which gives you step-by-step directions on board too.

I can honestly say that CityMapper has completely changed the way I get around town. Before, I always had to rely on Google Maps and the Transport for London website to supply directions as well as train times, but this application takes an all-in-one approach and gives you access to this data. It really is fantastic.

Be sure to take a look through the gallery below to get a feel for all of CityMapper’s features.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.41.46 Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.41.52 Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 09.42.00

Play Store Download Link

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Android News, Rumours, and Updates

The 10 best smartwatches from IFA 2015

IFA 2015 was chock full of cool smartwatches and fitness wearables, so we’ve put together a list of 10 of the most awesome wrist-worn devices we saw at the show — Samsung’s Gear S2, the Huawei Watch, and Moto 360, to name a few.

The post The 10 best smartwatches from IFA 2015 appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Digital Trends Top Tech of IFA 2015 Award Winners

Tech companies from around the world brought their best to Berlin for IFA 2015, but these winners in 10 different categories truly exemplify the finest the show had to offer.

The post Digital Trends Top Tech of IFA 2015 Award Winners appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Moto 360 (2015) hands-on impressions

Motorola’s new Moto 360 turns heads with unique customization options and excellent specs. We took the Android wear smartwatch for a spin to see how it compares to the competition. Here are our hands-on impressions.

The post Moto 360 (2015) hands-on impressions appeared first on Digital Trends.

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As tech’s biggest names descend on Berlin for IFA 2015, here’s what we’ll see

IFA, the biggest tech show in Europe is about to kickoff in Berlin, Germany. Here’s everything we expect to see at the show from Samsung, Sony, LG, Asus, Microsoft, Intel, and more. TVs, phones, wearables, and the smartphone will power the show.

The post As tech’s biggest names descend on Berlin for IFA 2015, here’s what we’ll see appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Verizon Droid 2015 rumors: Leaked Droid Maxx 2 back cover looks identical to the Moto X Play

It’s time to start looking into what Verizon Wireless and Motorola are cooking up for this year’s Droid lineup. Early rumors indicate that we will get second generations of the Droid Maxx and Droid Turbo.

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Moto 360 2015 news: Motorola’s second-generation smartwatch spotted in Chicago

Rumors are gathering that Motorola has a second generation version of the Moto 360 smartwatch, which could have a revised design and come with new accessories. Here’s everything we think we know about it so far.

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Celebrating the artists of the 2015 YouTube Music Awards

From Beyoncé embracing the super selfie, to OK Go’s mind-bending visuals, to Kurt Hugo Schneider connecting with fans through a tour announcement, artists on YouTube create music experiences that go beyond a song or video. And now it’s our turn to thank them with a YouTube Music Award.

These YTMA artists were chosen by you. Thanks to your love, they showed the biggest growth in views, subscribers and engagement over the last six months. That’s what makes them artists to watch on YouTube in 2015, and YTMA winners.

These artists prove that YouTube is not only a place to launch new music and be discovered by fans around the world, but also where artists and fans truly connect. In that spirit, this award is just one step in our effort to keep making YouTube a great place for artists and fans to experience music together. Next stop … SXSW.

New music videos. All at once. The YouTube Music Awards.

At its best, music is about the full experience of sight, sound and participation. And for the 2015 YouTube Music Awards, presented by Kia, we’re giving you just that.

On March 23 at 10 a.m. PT, we’re doing something never before seen on YouTube—dropping a collection of exclusive, new music videos from established and emerging artists, all at once. We’ve selected some of the most original music video directors alive today to produce these new videos and enlisted VICE to produce the entire program. The performers include:

These artists will even pull some of you into the action, inviting you to go behind the scenes at shoots, be a part of their videos and more. Stay tuned by subscribing to the YouTube Music Awards channel, and prepare your eyeballs and eardrums to experience the music on March 23!

Eshan Ponnadurai, Music Brand Marketing, recently watched “Father MC – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.”


YouTube Blog

Xbox at Gamescom 2015: a recap of Microsoft’s strong showing

Gamescom isn't open to the public just yet, but that hasn't stopped Microsoft from dropping some early news and trailers. During its "Xbox Briefing" in Cologne, the company announced DVR functionality for 2016, a new controller chat pad and a hos…
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Top 10 best Android apps of June 2015

The Google Play Store is chock full of great apps, but it can be hard to decide what to download. We browsed through a bunch of awesome apps to find the best ones you should try out in June.

The post Top 10 best Android apps of June 2015 appeared first on Digital Trends.

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HTC apologizes for its slow start to 2015 and teases a new Hero phone for the fall

In a response to its weak start to 2015, HTC promised to improve its performance across the board. It may also release a new product this October. HTC didn’t reveal details on the product, though.

The post HTC apologizes for its slow start to 2015 and teases a new Hero phone for the fall appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Excited to see iOS 9 and OS X 11? Here’s how to watch Apple’s WWDC 2015 livestream

Apple will be live streaming its WWDC event on June 8, starting at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST). Find out how you can watch Apple’s WWDC 2015 live video stream on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

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Wearables | Digital Trends

10 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2015

Google’s 2015 I/O Keynote wasn’t packed with flash, but it did offer some solid improvements on the company’s platform and a few surprises. Here’s the 10 highlights you have to know about.

The post 10 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2015 appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Your official invite to the 2015 #YTMA Show — now with more artists!

Have you made plans yet for the 2015 YouTube Music Awards, presented by Kia, on Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT?

It doesn’t matter who you’re wearing, where you’re watching, or how you celebrate after. Just tune in to the YouTube Music Awards channel to experience a collection of exclusive, new music videos from established and emerging artists, all at once.


Before the show, you can check out all of the 50 YTMA winners right here. Each one is set for a great year in 2015, and we’re honoring them with this collection of videos.

We’ve added even more performers to the show, working with VICE and some top directorial talent to make this a moment in music to remember. Here’s the full list:

So on Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT, visit the YouTube Music Awards channel to see all the videos, or visit any artist’s channel to see their new video. You can get ready by checking out the playlist of the artists who won a 2015 YouTube Music Awards, and subscribe to our virtual host Tyler Oakley for more info and commentary on the show. If you want a reminder for Monday, you can even add it to your calendar.

And if you’re an artist on YouTube hoping to earn a YouTube Music Award in the future, check out our newly launched YouTube for Artists with more info to help you make the most of YouTube. 

Eshan Ponnadurai, Music Brand Marketing, recently watched “Announcing the YouTube Music Awards 2015 Show.”


YouTube Blog

Presenting the 2015 YouTube Music Awards Show #YTMA

Here it is, folks. Today we’re dropping a collection of exclusive, new music videos from some of the biggest and emerging artists on YouTube for the 2015 YouTube Music Awards Show, presented by Kia. Produced by VICE and made by some of the most original music video directors alive, this new kind of awards show puts you in the front row and all the performances at your fingertips — right now. To get even more into the show, host Tyler Oakley will take you through the highlights, and you can join the conversation online with #YTMA.

Action Bronson feat. Chance the Rapper – “Baby Blue” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Joined by Chance the Rapper, Action Bronson puts his twist on the cult classic “Coming to America” as he travels through NYC to find his queen. The video was directed by Lil Chris, and the single was produced by Mark Ronson off the anticipated album Mr. Wonderful, set for release on VICE/Atlantic March 24.

Cahoots – “No Money” (feat. Roomie) [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Cahoots, the YouTube supergroup comprised of Spain’s Curricé and England’s Matt DeFreitas and Tom Joseph Law, has come together with director De La Muerte for an over-the-top, crazy collaboration of talent on a cinematic “stage.”

Charli XCX “Famous” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Charli XCX and director Eric Wareheim invite you to a heightened dreamy reality where people are living in their online personas, and everything is beautiful and filtered. But when we are suddenly disconnected and returned to reality, it’s a total nightmare.

Ed Sheeran & Rudimental “Bloodstream” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Ed Sheeran. Rudimental. Need we say more? In this new video directed by Emil Nava, the combo has a surprise for fans that can be summed up in two words: Ray. Liotta.

FKA twigs “Glass & Patron” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

In a moody forest in the back of a van, FKA twigs births into the world eight dancers whose subsequent stunning performance is set to twigs’ brand-new song “Glass & Patron.” If you’re one of the many people who have watched and loved the past music videos twigs directed herself, then you’re in for a treat.

Kygo “Stole the Show” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Ever had a house party DJ’d by Kygo where a couple from space steal the show with their out of the world dance moves? If no, then you need to watch this video, directed by Saman Kesh. If yes, then get ready for the surprise ending.

Lindsey Stirling “Take Flight” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Two-time YouTube Music Award winner and performer Lindsey Stirling moves through an Escher-like universe on an adventure to find life in the mountains that hover above her city, directed by Joe Sill.

Martin Garrix feat. Usher “Don’t Look Down” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Dutch DJ Martin Garrix is becoming one of the most important names in electronic dance music on YouTube, and when he teams up with Usher, big things happen. To bring this song to life, director Petros depicts the timeless story of the pool party towel boy and towel girl trying to find love.

MAX “Gibberish” (feat. Hoodie Allen) [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

The world has watched MAX go from creating great covers on YouTube to releasing his own albums in just a few years. And now with director Greg Jardin and a little help from Hoodie Allen, MAX is moving on while the rest of the world around him is moving in reverse.

Megan Nicole “Escape” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

On the heels of her recent single “Fun” — which has been viewed more than 18 million times in the last two months alone — Megan Nicole has created a beautiful, scenic music video. Directed by the Young Astronauts.

Migos “One Time” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

What if you had a party so amazing that you wake up to learn the night before was frozen in time. Migos and director Ninan Doff are here to take you through this unique world of time tunnels, as the trio continues their rise to rap greatness.

Nicky Jam y Enrique Iglesias “El Perdón” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Even when you lose a loved one, their memory still stays with you, and Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias invite you on a memory lane trip through Medellin, Colombia. Directed by Creative Uprising, this collaboration brings together two of the biggest names in Latin music and has all the makings of a smash hit.

Shamir “Call It Off” [Official Music Video – YTMAs]

Shamir has been blowing up on YouTube on the regular and has now teamed up with Philip Hodges and Henson Studios to tell a tale about making people’s days just a little bit better … by becoming puppets.

And that’s our show! Thank you to all the artists who made the 2015 YouTube Music Awards Show possible, and VICE for producing the show. And above all, thanks to all of you who make YouTube the ultimate home for music. Join the conversation online with #YTMA.

Eshan Ponnadurai, Music Brand Marketing, recently watched “Announcing the YouTube Music Awards 2015 Show.”


YouTube Blog

Here’s your front row invite to Coachella 2015 – live on YouTube April 10-12

Passes for Coachella 2015 are hard to come by, but for the fifth year in a row, the California festival is inviting fans from around the world to watch it live on Coachella’s YouTube channel, unleashed by T-Mobile. From Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, you can catch the biggest acts and emerging artists performing live at Coachella on any screen where you watch YouTube.

What can you expect from the longest-running music festival live stream on YouTube? First, you’ll welcome the freedom to choose from three live stream channels. Then, you’ll enjoy a bunch of new stuff you didn’t see coming, like:

  • Create a custom Coachella avatar by uploading a photo, then decorating with Coachella graphics, before sharing it with your friends.
  • Browse an interactive map of the entire festival grounds and access photos taken from your virtual location.
  • Schedule your live stream experience with a timetable that automatically updates based on your local time and channel you are watching.
  • Learn about the performing acts via interactive profiles.

And more to come … we can’t give away all the surprises yet!

Watch here to find out which Coachella artists will be in the live stream, and subscribe to Coachella’s YouTube channel to stay up on all the latest videos, and relive the sights and sounds of Coachellas past.

Ali Rivera and Brian Anderson, YouTube Music, recently watched “Years & Years – King.”


YouTube Blog

Watch the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day event—live on YouTube on April 18

No matter where you are this Saturday, you can have a front row seat at the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day event. Tune in to the event live on the Global Citizen YouTube channel to catch performances by No Doubt, Usher, Fall Out Boy, Mary J. Blige, Train, and My Morning Jacket, with special guests Common and D’Banj.

To bring you the latest from the National Mall in D.C., YouTube stars Matthew Santoro (MatthewSantoro) and Yousef Erakat (FouseyTube) will join the Global Citizen hosts, which include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, U.S. Senator Chris Coons, will.i.am, Soledad O’Brien, Chris Martin, Freida Pinto, and more.


Celebrate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day by joining the largest movement of people taking action to end extreme poverty and stop climate change. It all begins at 11:45 a.m. ET on April 18 on the Global Citizen YouTube channel.

Lindsay Dahms, Brand Marketing Manager, recently watched “Fall Out Boy – Irresistible (Official).”


YouTube Blog

Top 6 cloud storage apps for saving across devices [May 2015]

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There are many reasons as to why you should backup your smartphone and data to the Cloud. After all, you want to ensure your files are secure and have are in a safe place in case of an accident with your smartphone or tablet. But, it’s difficult to do that when you don’t have access to any cloud storage. I’ve put together a list of my favorite cloud storage apps that offer free storage solutions. Some of them even have fantastic pricing for either hundreds of gigabytes of storage or unlimited storage.

Be sure to check it out below!

Dropbox

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Dropbox is my all-time favorite cloud storage app. Not because I have any affiliation with Dropbox, mind you, but I’ve been using it since the day it launched, and have it across all my computers and devices. I haven’t had much need to look elsewhere, as they offer plenty of free storage for what I use. Not to mention the fact that you can get more free space through inviting friends and other minor tasks.

If the allotted space they give you isn’t enough, Dropbox will give your 1000GB of space to use for $ 10/month or an unlimited amount of storage for $ 15/mo.

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Google Drive

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Google Drive is another cloud storage staple, offering 15GB of free data across all of Google’s services, such as Gmail, Drive, and Google+ Photos. You can store just about any data you need in Google Drive, and out of all the apps listed, they do provide the most free storage. Drive is also seamlessly integrated with Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it insanely easy to store and work on important documents.

If you use up the 15GB, Google has rather cheap storage options, similar to Dropbox’s pricing. For $ 2.99/mo you can get 100GB of storage or for $ 9.99/mo you can get 1000GB.
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OneDrive

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OneDrive is Microsoft’s solution to Cloud storage, and similar to Google Drive, Microsoft gives you a free 15GB of storage. You can get an additional 15GB of storage for free by simply turning on camera upload on either your smartphone or tablet. For the everyday user, 30GB is more than enough to store photos and video.

OneDrive offers cheap storage plans at 100GB for $ 1.99/mo, 200GB for $ 3.99/mo, and 1000GB for $ 6.99/mo. If you go for the 1000GB plan, Microsoft will throw in free access to Office 365, which gives you access to all of Microsoft’s Office applications, and let’s you work on them across all your devices.
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Amazon Cloud Drive

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Amazon Cloud Drive is, well, Amazon’s solution for Cloud storage. With Amazon Cloud Storage, you have the option to get a three month trial, where you can store unlimited photos for free, and up to 5GB in videos and files. After the trial ends, you’ll have to pay $ 11.99/year to continue using that service. If you’re just looking for somewhere to store your photos, you can store unlimited photos for free with an Amazon Prime subscription. You may not need to pay that $ 11.99/year at all.

Amazon Cloud Drive has another subscription option, where you have access to unlimited everything for $ 59.99 a year, which is a much cheaper solution than anything on this list.

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Box

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Box is another excellent Cloud storage service, offering 10GB of free storage space. While it does have more of a business focus than personal, the 10GB of free space is still excellent to have in your back pocket. One of the fascinating benefits of Box and its business-focus is that documents can be commented on in real-time, giving you instantaneous feedback. In addition to that, it has a lot of great features to effectively share files between coworkers.

If you need more storage space, the starter pack will get you 100GB for $ 4.99/mo. The business package, requiring a minimum of three users, will run you $ 15/mo, but gives you unlimited storage space.

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MediaFire

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MediaFire is another common Cloud service, offering 12GB of free storage space. One of the unique things about this service is that you can earn up to 50GB of free storage, which should be just enough for the everyday user. It’s certainly not enough for power users, but that’s not to worry, as MediaFire offers some excellent packages, which are all 50% off right now.

For a mere $ 2.49/mo you can get yourself 1000GB of space. If that’s not enough, for $ 24.99/mo, they’ll give you up to 100TB of space. And if that’s not enough, I’m not sure what will satisfy your craving for data. At normal prices, you can expect to pay $ 4.99/mo and $ 49.99/mo, respectively.

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Wrap Up

There are plenty more Cloud storage apps out there, but these six are my top favorites, as they have a wide variety of free storage options. If you need more, a lot of the storage subscriptions are the price of a McDonald’s cheeseburger. It isn’t bad at all. Either way, I’m sure I’ve missed some great ones. What are your favorites?

Come comment on this article: Top 6 cloud storage apps for saving across devices [May 2015]

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