Tag Heuer, Google and Intel: 

Android Wear Smartwatch

 

It is no surprise that Apple’s smartwatch announcement took the technology world by storm, but they aren’t the only company investing in wearable tech. Tag Heuer, Google and Intel have recently announced their own partnership to produce the “world’s first luxury Android Wear smartwatch”.

 

The watch, still unnamed, is said to launch sometime before the end of 2015. Though pricing and other information remain a mystery, there are some known details so far. While 80% of the watch will be assembled in Switzerland, the Intel processor or “engine” of the watch will not be manufactured there so the wearable tech will not carry the prestigious “Swiss Made” label. With the lifespan of the watch a true concern, it will be upgradeable and can change as technology changes. Little is known about the hardware, but there have been hints that some components could be interchangeable. As for the software, this will be Google Android’s contribution to the partnership.

 

The rest is left to our imaginations for now. To learn more about what is known, visit here.

Lynda.com Links Up:

Acquired by LinkdIn for $1.5B

 

LinkedIn recently announced their purchase of online learning company Lynda.com for $1.5 billion. The educational website was founded in 1995 by Lynda Weinman and her husband, Bruce Heavin.

 

Lynda.com offers a tiered subscription service, allowing users to learn business, technology, software and creative skills through online video tutorials. Memberships included unlimited access to the entire course library, expert teachers, and courses for all skill levels. Users can also create and save playlists and watch videos from desktop, tablet, or mobile devices.

 

This month LinkedIn purchased Lynda.com through a cash-stock blend deal. The acquisition will allow 350 million LinkedIn users easy access to the educational platform. Lynda feels her company has found “a perfect cultural fit” for their mission, while LinkedIn head of content products Ryan Roslansky says he is “excited about the possibilities that could come from the integration” of the two companies working together. To learn more about how you can sign up for an individual or group membership today, visit here.

Jay Z and Streaming Music:

Plans for Tidal

 

Among the many options for streaming music services available, Jay Z just announced plans for his own service. Seeing the issues musicians face in the age of streaming music, Jay Z created a solution for musicians to band together with him.

 

The entertainment mogul recently purchased Tidal, a subscription streaming service for $56M. Though the company faces competition from other companies like Spotify, Jay Z has a unique plan to allow the majority of the company to be owned by the artists themselves. Aside from financial benefits, this strategy gives musicians direct control over how their work is consumed.

 

The plan was unveiled this month in Manhattan, where Jay Z stood among artists identified as owners, including Rihanna, Kanye West, Madonna, Alicia Keys, and others and signed a “declaration”. The company will have no free service options, but will offer two tiers of subscription ranging between $10 and $20 per month. Jay Z’s motive is to get people to respect and recognize the value of music and of musicians. To learn more about Jay Z and Tidal visit here.