Matthew Lineham has created a pretty cool group of musician related Christmas ornaments. If you’re looking to add some David Bowie, Morrissey, and The Cure to your tree, look no further.
New Wave Christmas Tree
Demi Lovato Is Working on New Music
Demi Lovato has confirmed on Extra that she’s been in the studio working on new music.
Car Seat Headrest Performs on Fallon
Car Seat Headrest performed “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” on Jimmy Fallon last night.
Reports of Fitbit Buying Pebble
TechCrunch is reporting that Fitbit will be purchasing Pebble for around $34-40 million.
The site reports that the acquisition is a “small amount” but there’s no word on exactly how much, or indeed how little. Further, The Information said that the deal will see Pebble and its products closed down over time, with Fitbit acquiring its assets, which include intellectual property and software.
Sean McKeough, Riot Fest Founder, Passes Away
The co-founder of Riot Fest, Sean McKeough, has passed away. He was 42.
Spotify Unveils “Singles” Series
Spotify has unveiled a new weekly series featuring exclusive recordings called “Singles.” This will replace their previous sessions series. Forbes reports:
The Singles program sees big name acts and exciting and up-and-comers recording a pair of songs for the service and releasing them only on the world’s most popular streaming music platform. The first will be a track of their own, and it will typically be a newer cut that the artist is busy promoting, while the second will be a cover of a popular song from any time in history. The first edition of Singles is available today, and it features Grammy-winning jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding, who re-recorded her own song “Unconditional Love,” as well as David Bowie’s “If You Can See Me.”
Julien Baker – “Decorated Lawns”
Julien Baker has debuted the new song, “Decorated Lawns,” over at 36 Vultures. It’s quite good.
“Decorated Lawns” recalls Julien moving back in with her parents, falling in love, and driving around with the one she loved around the Holidays. The song builds into this wonderful rally of “I loved you/I loved you/More than I hate me” that give you both butterflies and hit you in the base of your spine at once.
New York Ups the Punishment on Ticket Bots
New York has passed a law to make the punishment for ticket scalping bots harsher. Pitchfork reports:
The use of “ticket bots,” automated software that allows scalpers to buy up huge blocks of tickets for concerts, theater performances, and other events ahead of average customers, will soon be a crime in New York. Earlier this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law making the use of a ticket bots a class A misdemeanor that could result in substantial fines or even imprisonment.
Spark Comes to the Mac
Spark, an email client I’ve often recommended on iOS, has come to the Mac today. MacStories has a good review of the app:
It’s good to see Spark come to the Mac and I’m sure fans of the iOS app will be pleased that Readdle brought many features of the iOS version to macOS. Despite some rough edges and quirks in version 1.0, Spark’s clean design, email management tools, and ability sync with the iOS version using iCloud make it a solid choice, especially for users of Spark for iOS.
I haven’t given it a spin yet, but the screenshots look good.
Brand New Post Tour Merch for Sale
Brand New have put their tour merch up in their store.
Wi-Fi Mesh Systems Compared
Wi-Fi mesh systems are the future of home networking. Mac Observer has a really good run down on what they are and which one is best for your home:
Mesh routing completes that puzzle because the access points act as one. They are all aware of each other and can work with client devices to decide which access point is best for that client at that time, not just which one is closest or has the strongest signal. If one device starts streaming a ton of Netflix, for example, the mesh can identify this and either tell that client to move or start moving other clients to free up that radio for the video stream.
This kind of setup is simply not possible to build yourself with off-the-shelf routers.
My place isn’t big enough to need something like this, but damn, it’s still cool.
Netflix Adds Offline Mode
Netflix has finally added an offline mode.
While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we’ve often heard they also want to continue their Stranger Things binge while on airplanes and other places where Internet is expensive or limited. Just click the download button on the details page for a film or TV series and you can watch it later without an internet connection.
Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock Designs Shoe
Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock worked with Los Angeles vegan footwear company Keep on a new shoe. Pre-orders are now up and all the proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood.
The Weeknd Breaks Spotify Single Day Stream Record
The Weeknd has set the new record for the most Spotify streams in a single day.
AFI – “Aurelia”
AFI have debuted their new song “Aurelia” over on BBC Radio 1.