ICYMI: Stingray’s new milestone, Waze hit Android Auto

Plus: Love Nature brings its 4K offering to Videotron.

Stingray hits two million downloads

Canadian-made music streaming app Stingray has officially hit two million downloads, double the number reached in 2016. More than 60% of the downloads originated in Canada. The app, which provides music through partnered entertainment services such as pay TV and mobile providers, saw an average of 3.3 million monthly visitors and 9.2 hours per week of music streamed (up from five hours per week the previous year). According to a recent MTM study, streaming services overall have reached a penetration rate of 32%, up from 27% in 2016.

Waze ties into Android Auto

Crowd-sourced traffic and navigation app Waze has integrated into the Android Auto system. Android Auto, which is available through approximately 300 different car models and after-market stereos, integrates aspects of Android’s OS (such as contacts and maps) into a car’s centre control screen. Waze, which displays ads through features like reminders and favourites (as well as banners, when cars are not in motion), allows users to report accidents, slowdowns, police checkpoints, hazards and speed cameras through voice command, with the app’s interface presented on the car’s central display.

Love Nature launches in 4K

Blue Ant Media’s Love Nature Brand is now available in 4K on Canadian cable carrier Videotron. The format measures 4,000 pixels across, allowing for more detailed images to be displayed on large screens. 4K is rising in popularity rapidly; Netflix has spent the past several years producing more of its originals in 4K, while Rogers-owned Sportsnet has committed to producing 300 hours of 4K content in 2017. Jamie Schouela, EVP of Canadian Networks at Blue Ant Media, said in a statement that “no genre of programming looks better in 4K than nature and wildlife content.” As part of the launch, Videotron will also offer a month-long preview of the specialty channel.

 

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