Chromecast v1 Updated to Support Spotify

Spotify, the immensely popular music streaming service, has long rebuked efforts to integrate its platform with Google’s Chromecast. However, with the introduction of the second generation Chromecast, Spotify announced that it would support all Chromecast devices.

It should be noted that the Chromecast Audio requires a premium subscription with Spotify. If you’re buying a Chromecast Audio device to act as a dedicated music streaming device, it may not be an issue for you if you’re already a premium member, but it’s good to know. A new Chromecast firmware update is rolling out over the next few days to the first generation Chromecast devices (1.16.44433 to be exact) that enables Spotify support. You can try power-cycling the device to force an update, but it may not work if the update is not yet available for your device, in which case you simply have to wait.

Unlike most other apps which simply enabled Chromecast support within the app, it’s likely that the firmware update was required for the Chromecast to add Spotify Connect support, as Spotify uses a complex DRM system to prevent piracy of the music on their platform. In the past, Spotify has been rather strict with the kinds of devices that could earn Spotify Connect support (such as the MediaTek MT8507 Soc) and also requires users to sign up for its premium service to use Spotify Connect.

Perhaps Spotify recognized the importance of supporting Chromecast in the hyper-competitive business of music streaming, especially with both Apple and Google making big pushes lately into this market.

 

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New Android Emoji are Coming, but You Can Get Them Now at XDA

With the iOS 9.1 release, Apple updated their emoji set to include 184 new emojis, making iOS the first mobile OS to include every emoji from the Unicode Standard. Because Android currently lacks these new emojis, it will fail to display the emoji should an iOS device send a message containing one. One reddit user realized this could cause an issue, and took to /r/Android to voice his complaints and to urge Google to quickly update Android. Rather than shouting into the wind on a forum thread, many users were directed to star the issue on the Android issue tracker to get Google’s attention. Well, it seems to have worked as the issue has prompted a direct response from Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Android:

@lockheimer: So I have a feeling y’all want new emojis? a) Thanks for the feedback, b) We’re on it, and c) Sorry!

Sometimes, complaining about Android on a forum really will get Google’s attention. Maybe we can get Google to make Hangouts faster? Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. In any case, if you don’t want to wait for the next Android update to use these new emojis, XDA Recognized Developer DespairFactor has posted a flashable zip to install the new iOS emojis.

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OnePlus 2 Invite Window Extended from 24 hours to 3 Days

Before, if you were able to get an invite for the OnePlus 2, you would only have 24 hours to use it before it would expire. Said invite would go back into the pool and then it would be sent to another person. Today, the company has announced that you’ll now get 3 full days to purchase your OnePlus 2 after you receive the invite before it’s expires.

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