Category Archives: music

Now Bands Are Releasing iPhone Apps? Review – Delphic App

That’s right the latest band of the moment (BBC Sound Of 2010/MTV 10 for 10), Delphic have released an iPhone app called…well it’s called Delphic.

“To celebrate the release of their new single ‘Doubt’, Delphic have released a sound toy for the iPod and iPhone. It’s very simple to use, just start the drum loop and then touch the pads to hear their vocal samples in whatever way you want!”

Built by Retrofuzz, this is another addition to that already marketing heavy biz that is show.

Although it looks quite nice, this app doesn’t actually DO much. You download it and are given a option to start the beat. Then you can play 8 short vocal samples by tapping your phone. It would be alot better if there were samples of the instruments or if users could save and share their creations.

It is innovative though. A band (well their label) creating an iphone app is something i’ve not seen before.

Where once blogging was condensed to tweeting, apps seeming to be reducing to ‘microapps’? Small, downloadable apps that generate awareness and hope to provide enough of a call to action to make us move to the next stage of the purchase cycle.

Delphic’s app will hold your attention for 20 seconds max but by then you’ll have already downloaded it and are likely to have seen the name of their next single (Acolyte) and may even have clicked on the ‘download’ button. So their plan worked.

Download from iTunes here

Orange & Universal Launch Mobile Music Service

Monkey Music Player

orange monkey

Orange, the mobile network provider has just launched its latest innovation – Monkey Music Player. Following the recent tradition of its animal themed price plans, Monkey provides Orange customers with 300 free texts (minimum) and music downloads every time a minimum of £10 credit is purchased, more with more credit.

What Orange say:

“Monkey customers can access the service on their phones by dialling 247. Customers are presented with a choice of 8 pre-set play lists e.g. R&B, Rock, Pop, Chart and playlists from 4Music. These will be refreshed regularly”

The product has been launched in conjunction with Channel 4 (4Music) and Universal Music. Over half a million tracks from the Universal Music label have been made available with no exclusions. Orange customers will have access to exclusive playlists and content.

orange monkey screenshot

Target Audience

The beauty of this product is that it has its target audience at it’s core. Younger mobile users like music, can’t always afford expensive phones and like to share via technology. The Monkey music product provides all of this and I predict will see a huge uptake.

I couldn’t demo the online version of the Monkey Music Player as it was not working. Connor of Orange demo’s it here:

PAYG Only?

There are only a couple of gripes I have about this wonderfully positioned product. The first relates to the fact that it is only available to PAYG customers. Why put so much effort into the product and promotion of this to then limit the use of it. I am an Orange pay monthly customer and would possibly use this if it was available.

Secondly the sound quality. I have only heard it through the video posted on the Orange site, but the quality did not sound that great. It uses the voice network rather than internet connection. Facsimile music anyone?

Bus Music

Oh and also I get annoyed enough as it is with little oiks playing their music loudly on the bus for all to hear. I hope this doesn’t mean i’ll be forced to listen to more N Dubz or Hanson or what ever it is the youth of today are listening to…

Great idea though. Great product and it’s the proposition of sharing music by text or online that will possibly strike a chord (aha) with the younger audience. With it being available on handsets from £9.99 and upwards, pack your earmuffs for any bus journeys you have planned.