Not many USB microphones favored by streamers and podcasters eclipse the big names like Shure, Sennheiser and Rode. But one example that comes close is the Blue Yeti USB mic. Once a rising mainstay in a oddball startup’s lineup, now it’s a mainstay for peripherals giant Logitech. And it remains popular and even award-winning. Today’s Mac Studio rig relies on one.
Maximize your streaming with a lifetime sub to this all-in-one platform
The Apple TV app keeps trying to simplify streaming, but it’s not an easy nut to crack. If you’re tired of wrestling with all the available streaming options, consider BitMar. This next-gen streaming app brings together a vast array of content into one easy-to-use platform.
Say goodbye to switching between apps and searching through endless menus. With BitMar, everything is organized and accessible in one place (on the devices you already own). The centralized streaming platform allows you to effortlessly find and enjoy your favorite music, TV shows and movies. And you can get a lifetime subscription to BitMar for just $29.99.
A top microphone needs a great audio interface [Setups]
A prolific YouTuber runs today’s featured MacBook Pro setup. And you can tell it’s the pride and joy of a streamer or podcaster just by some of the crucial equipment. Namely, an excellent Shure SM7DB microphone run through a Focusrite Vocaster Two audio interface to ensure high-quality audio recording.
New Elgato Facecam ups picture quality at lower price
The new Elgato Facecam Mk.2, successor to the company’s popular Facecam webcam for creators and streamers, just came out. Improved picture quality, a new privacy shutter and other enhancements appear to make it a worthy upgrade. And that’s especially true because it carries a lower price than Facecam did at its launch.
Live streaming app XSplit will make you look and sound better
If you’re a streamer, your clips should be all about showing fans the fun you’re having. However, that’s hard to do when you’re fiddling with tools, watching your sound levels, etc. That’s why live streaming software XSplit Broadcaster enjoys a growing following among the streaming community on Twitch and elsewhere.
Now, new users can get a lifetime subscription to XSplit for less than $60. That’s a 70% discount off the normal price of $200. Note: This app works on Windows only.
Convert any XLR microphone to USB with this adapter
If you’re a content creator and you have an XLR microphone, you don’t necessarily need to buy a USB microphone to interface with your computer for uses like streaming and podcasting. Shure’s got you covered with its new Digital Audio Interface. It converts any XLR mic to USB for easy use directly with a computer.
Razer’s first in-ear monitors give gamers THX-certified sound
Razer, known for gaming gear, sounded off Tuesday with its first in-ear monitors (IEM) — Razer Moray.
Designed for gamers and streamers, the new wired earbuds emphasize THX-certified audio, natural noise isolation and lightweight comfort for long gaming and streaming sessions, the company said.
Rode unveils all-in-one Streamer X and RodeCaster Duo for content creators
Australian audio powerhouse Røde introduced five new products and two major software updates Monday — its “biggest product announcement ever,” it said — at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas.
Two new products headlined — the Streamer X audio interface/video capture card and the compact RødeCaster Duo AV production tool. The new PodMic USB, important firmware updates to the Wireless Go II mic system and the RødeCaster Pro II production tool, and handy new accessories rounded out the mix.
Up your vlogging game with new Sony full-frame camera
Sony Electronics unveiled its new full-frame 12MP ZV-E1 camera Wednesday. It takes its place at or near the top of the company’s growing ZV lineup of cameras for vloggers and other content creators.
At $2,200 it’s not cheap — a big step up from the company’s roughly $750 cameras for content creators — for but it could a key to making amateur content look professional.
New Elgato Stream Deck+ jacks up control with LCD touch strip and 4 dials
Corsair Gaming subsidiary Elgato unveiled the latest version of its popular Stream Deck streaming and workflow controller Wednesday, dubbing it Stream Deck+.
It retains eight of the familiar customizable LCD keys that other versions have. But it adds a touch strip, which is a screen, and four “infinite dials” to help you tweak and adjust tasks in your workflow. A common use of this type of tool is controlling video streaming production.
Hey streamers, Razer wants you to look and sound better
If you want to kick your streaming or vlogging up a notch, Razer has a trio of new products designed to help you look and sound better to your online audience.
On Friday, the gaming peripherals company rolled out the Razer Key Light Chroma, the Razer Seiren BT lapel microphone and the Razer Audio Mixer.
Super-portable skyBox SSD storage enables fast and easy streaming, sharing
This portable storage post is presented by HyperAccessory.
If you’re a photographer, videographer or content creator who likes to travel light, leaving the laptop behind, we found a must-have storage device for you. HyperAccessory’s skyBox features all-in-one portable SSD storage with built-in wireless connectivity and universal compatibility. It will have you streaming and sharing media on the go with gusto.
How to listen to YouTube music in the background on iPhone
Unlike streaming music, which often keeps playing when you switch away from the app or webpage, YouTube playback stops as soon as you leave mobile Safari. This means that using YouTube as a music player is out of the question. Or is it? Can you make YouTube play just the audio, even when you’re not showing the video? You can, and it’s really, really simple.
Quibi quickly captures 1.7 million downloads; fast-tracks plans for shows on streaming TV
Quibi, the new smartphone streaming service with 10-minute program, keeps wracking up the downloads and may give viewers a choice to watch its “quick-bite” shows on streaming TV.
CEO Meg Whitman told an interviewer Monday that Quibi has had more than 1.7 million downloads since launching one week ago.
Popcorn Time, the Netflix of piracy, returns just in time for COVID-19 binging
One of the easiest ways to pirate movies and TV shows is back just in time for the great stay-at-home coronavirus quarantine party of 2020.
Popcorn Time, the legendary app that was basically a Netflix for privacy, announced its return Tuesday on Twitter, saying its newest build, called “Love in the Time of Corona Version 0.4,” is available for download.
Grab it while you can.
Apple, Spotify and other streaming companies accused of price-fixing ‘conspiracy’
A music licensing company accuses Apple, Spotify, Google, SoundCloud, and other streaming services of entering into a price-fixing “conspiracy” to keep streaming music prices at anticompetitive levels.
Pro Music Rights (PMR) filed the complaint Monday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. PMR previously filed a lawsuit against Apple in December for allegedly streaming copyrighted music without the necessary permissions.
Cable company Altice USA adds streaming app to Apple TV
The nation’s sixth-largest cable TV provider announced Wednesday the addition of an Apple TV app to its streaming service beating Roku to the punch in the competitive streaming video market.
Altice USA provides broadband and pay television in 21 states to some 3.3 million subscribers through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands.
The deal with Apple comes as more and more Americans cut their cable TV cords in favor of streaming services.
Sorry, Apple: Disney+ is coming to Europe earlier than planned
Apple TV+ is currently enjoying a rather lengthy spell without competition from Disney+ in Europe. But that’s going to be cut short after Disney today announced it will expand earlier than planned.
Former HBO chief signs five-year producer deal with Apple TV+
Forner HBO chief executive Richard Plepler has signed a five-year deal with Apple to make original feature films, documentaries and television series for Apple TV Plus.
Plepler was at HBO for 27 years and played important roles in the rise of original programming at the network.
Tidal one-ups Apple Music with even better student deal
Tidal today one-upped Apple Music with an even better student deal. Its 50% discount now extends to high-schoolers — not just college attendees.
Qualifying members will pay just $4.99 a month for Premium access, or $9.99 a month for the Hi-Fi plan. The discount is available to new and existing subscribers who verify their student status.
Apple TV+ is coming to Roku
Apple TV+ will be available on Roku boxes when it launches next month.
Roku revealed this morning that the Apple TV app will be available on its platform starting today, allowing users to access their iTunes video library as well as subscribe to Apple TV channels right from their Roku devices.
Netflix CEO: Apple and Disney will take streaming wars to ‘whole new world’
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings almost sounds excited about the increased competition his company is about to face from the biggest tech companies in the world.
After basically creating the entire TV streaming market, Netflix is about to go up against new services from Apple and Disney. In an interview with Variety, Hastings admitted it’s going to be a whole new ball game in just a few months, but Netflix doesn’t plan to change much.
Spotify now matches Apple Music’s 3-month free trial
Spotify is now matching Apple Music’s generous three-month free trial for new subscribers.
The offer is available to eligible individual and student users who sign up for any Spotify Premium plan, starting today. It will be extended to support Duo and Family Plans in the coming months.
Microsoft is working on mobile Xbox controllers for iPhone
Microsoft has started developing new Xbox controllers for mobile gaming. Prototype images reveal how the gamepads might attach to the sides of your iPhone and iPad for portable play.
The controllers would be ideal for Microsoft’s upcoming Project xCloud service, which will allow players to stream Xbox games to their smartphones and tablets.
How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2019 event today
Today Apple will announce iOS 13, possibly the new Mac Pro, plus a slew of Mac and Apple Watch-related news. Cult of Mac will not be live-blogging the action — instead you can join our WWDC 2019 watch party or follow along on Twitter. And as always, you can watch the show live.
We’re expecting to learn all about the incredible new iOS 13, which many expect will turn the iPad into some kind of Mac Pro-beating powerhouse1. Also expected is a Marzipan update, and perhaps our first peek at the real new Mac Pro.
Whether you’re watching on your Mac, your iPhone or iPad, or your Apple TV, we’ll show you how to tune in.
You can even show up at an Apple Store and watch it on the big screen!