Stream-ripping threatens music industry, as companies struggle to make streaming profitable – annotated infographics

As if a beleaguered music industry didn’t already have enough to contend with, the rise of streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Pandora, Deezer and Tidal –  yes! even Tidal! – have changed the way many people listen to music. It has also brought about a new form of piracy, known as “stream ripping”. This new type of copyright infringement has overtaken conventional music download piracy. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. It’s not all days of wine and roses at the streaming companies, either. Spotify is the most successful streaming music service in the … Continue reading Stream-ripping threatens music industry, as companies struggle to make streaming profitable – annotated infographics

Orange amps launch orange Orange O Edition headphones at #NAMM2016 Mmm… Orange!

Guitar amp dudes are certainly diversifying their product lines in new and unusual ways these days. Marshall has gone sideways in to sunglasses and mobile phones. Announced today at the mammoth musical new-gear bazaar that is the NAMM trade show in sunny Anaheim, California, Orange is now going toe-to-toe (ear-to-ear?) with Marshall’s headphone tie-up with Zounds (the Swedish company behind the UrbanEars range of cool ‘phones) by releasing its own range of skull-shaking ear goggles. The O Edition Headphones (as no one in their right mind will be calling them when asked where they bought them) have been designed to deliver superior audio performance … Continue reading Orange amps launch orange Orange O Edition headphones at #NAMM2016 Mmm… Orange!

#AppleMusic streaming service – details announced – an annotated infographic

Apple has unveiled its Apple Music streaming service, designed to challenge rivals such as Spotify, Deezer, Soundcloud, Google and Amazon. The $10-a-month service combines on-demand listening; Beats 1, a 24/7 radio station hosted by live DJs; and Connect, a forum for artists to give fans behind-the-scenes content from upcoming releases. E&T news covered this Apple Music announcement in comprehensive detail yesterday. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading #AppleMusic streaming service – details announced – an annotated infographic

World goes bonkers for music streaming services – an annotated infographic

We never thought we’d say this, but: poor old CDs. On the one hand, vinyl sales are up, up, up 50 per cent year on year to a near 25-year high – higher sales, in fact, than at any time since 1991, when Nirvana’s Nevermind album first blew up radios worldwide. On the other hand, the majority of folks who never cared much for physical media have turned to streaming music services with a vengeance. No shelf space, no heartache. Even cassette tapes are enjoying a hipster renaissance, as a subset of the digital-generation music fans dig in to the … Continue reading World goes bonkers for music streaming services – an annotated infographic

NASA’s Space Launch System, a giant deep space rocket – an annotated graphic

So over at NASA HQ it’s goodbye Space Shuttle, hello Space Launch System. The SLS has been designed to carry astronauts to the moon, to Mars and any other space-type destinations in between.  It will be the most powerful launcher in the world, with a greater lifting capacity than the Saturn V which last carried men to the moon. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading NASA’s Space Launch System, a giant deep space rocket – an annotated graphic

Nintendo Wii U controller – an annotated graphic

The new Nintendo Wii U is as much about the controller as the console. A touchscreen and motion-sensors allow game play on both the controller or on TV, where new HD graphics put it on a par with its rivals. Read the E&T news story from earlier this month for more details about the Nintendo Wii U and rival Sony’s Playstation Vita. Meanwhile, here’s a nice graphic explaining the Wii U. Continue reading Nintendo Wii U controller – an annotated graphic

Jetpacks become a reality – an annotated graphic

Your boring commute to work could be a thing of the past if New Zealand inventor Glenn Martin has anything to do with it. Forget the car, bus, train or subway – travel to work by jetpack. Following over 30 years of development, Martin is aiming to have the world’s first commercially viable jetpack on sale within 18 months. The Martin Jetpack has already reached an altitude of 1,500m and is undergoing final testing. Up, up and away – although you’ll have no excuse for being late for work if you can’t blame the traffic… Click on the graphic for … Continue reading Jetpacks become a reality – an annotated graphic

F1 rule changes 2011 and new car features – an annotated graphic

With the new F1 Formula One season underway, we thought this graphic might help race enthusiasts get a handle on what’s new and what’s banned from the circuits this time round. It highlights the major rule changes, such as  the adjustable rear wings and the reintroduction of the contentious KERS, Kinetic Energy Recovery  Systems. Click on the graphic to view  an expanded version. Continue reading F1 rule changes 2011 and new car features – an annotated graphic

Eurocopter X3 hybrid prototype – an annotated graphic

Eurocopter debuted the X3 hybrid prototype at the recent Paris Air Show. The X3 is a helicopter with wings, offering the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full hover-flight capabilities of a helicopter. The graphic below illustrates the concept, comparing the Eurocopter X3 with a Sikorsky X2 helicopter. Continue reading Eurocopter X3 hybrid prototype – an annotated graphic

New Zealand earthquake: a touch of life-saving engineering

Last week, a normal flow of life for many was interrupted by the news of the second earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. In my family, we had reasons to be more worried than most: my partner’s close relatives live in Christchurch. We hadn’t heard anything from  them for several days and were extremely concerned until the following email arrived this morning: “…To recap, the second earthquake again ripped the power and phone lines from our house and all water stopped. We had water restored on Thursday at low pressure, so no hot water. Friday our power was reconnected to the house but … Continue reading New Zealand earthquake: a touch of life-saving engineering