YouTube Music, Now 50 Million Strong

YouTube's Music and Premium services now have 50 million subscribers, nearly 6 years after their launch.

September 3, 2021 It's September 3, 2021. It's Friday! No music for this weekend, just a quick PSA: We're out on Monday for Labor Day. Don't miss us too much and you'll hear from us on Tuesday. Enjoy the day off!     ⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to): 385 articles, 19 podcasts, 20 press releases, 471 tweets, and 23 YouTube videos 1. YouTube Music Reaches 50 Million Subscribers YouTube Music has officially hit 50 million subscribers, making it the third-largest music streaming service based on subscribers. YouTube says its capability to reach such a number in six years makes it the fastest growing music subscription service. Whoa. People really like YouTube, huh? 2. Google Is Working on Removing "Hey Google" for Certain Phrases Google is working on "quick phrases," so you won't have to say, "Hey, Google" every time you need something from its voice assistant. Specifically, these phrases would work with the most-used commands, such as "turn up the volume," "create a reminder," and more. Hey, uh, Google? We really want this. 3. Sony Announces Live PlayStation Showcase for September 9 Sony has set the next PlayStation Showcase live event for September 9 at 1:00pm PT (4:00pm ET). While it won't be showing anything for the next generation of PlayStation VR, expect plenty of PS5 games like Horizon Forbidden West and "games releasing this holiday and beyond." How exciting! 🦑 Go Deeper The iPhone 13 is reportedly getting satellite-based safety features. Charlie Sorrel is here to explain how such things could be life-changing (and potentially saving) additions.     🎱 By the Numbers Google's only at 8%?! Data: MIDiA Hearing that Google's YouTube Music has reached a 50 million sub milestone is impressive, but it really helps highlight how popular its competitors are. If Google only has 8% of the market share with that many subs, then Tencent, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify must be doing really well.     🏫 Best Back-to-School Deals of 2021 Our top picks for the best back-to-school tech deals for the students in your life from the editors and experts at Lifewire. See the Guide 🤓 Nerd Out "Will the Joker do stand up there, too?" —Tim Fisher, General Manager Want to know what it's like to eat in a DC Comics-themed restaurant, but the references are relatively subtle? Well, now you can; you just have to get to London first. (Share on Twitter) 💎 You Know You Want It  Scooby would be thrilled Image: Petcube Store Pets like treats, and with the Petcube Bites 2 Treat Dispenser, you can serve them up even when you're not home. Just set it up, sync it to your phone, then dispense treats whenever you want. It also has a 1080p camera and 2-way audio, so you can monitor and praise your pets no matter where you are. 🎥 Behind the Scenes So long, Locast? Locast was a non-profit service that provided a way for people to get broadcast television, but it's now shutting down amidst legal issues. Ars Technica has a whole breakdown of the situation, so you don't have to wonder where your "free" TV service went.     🗞 Extra! Extra! We've got you covered with the best in daily tech news! See the latest on our site or follow us on Google News. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here. Have something you'd like us to write about? We're always open for suggestions, too. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Tech Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here .   Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A Dotdash Brand 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005 2020 Dotdash • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.   [View in Browser]