Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Why I'm Ditching Spotify for Google Play Music All Access

That's it.  I've had enough.  I've asked, I've begged, I've pleaded, I've threatened but you don't listen.  You never listen.  You don't care about me.  You never did.  I don't know why I stayed with you so long.

When we first got together you were new, fun, exciting, you knew what I liked but over the past couple of years you sort of lost your luster.  I think I was just staying with you because I had invested so much time with you.

But, well, I don't know how to say this, but, umm, I met someone new.  So, this is is it, I guess. Anyway, good luck with your other relationships.

Why
The letter above describes how I actually feel about my relationship with Spotify.  I like Spotify.  I really do.  I have a shit load of playlists that took me hours upon hours to create.  But there were two things that always bothered me.

1.  Lack of Chromecast support
2.  Music Discovery

In the end these became deal breakers when Google Play Music All Access came along.

What Is Google Play Music All Access
Basically, it's the same as Spotify.  You can choose the music you want to add to a playlists from a catalog of a bazillion songs.  You can also listen to music on radio that is tailored to your listening habits (taste).  In addition, they offer Youtube Music (music and videos streamed from youtube in a playlist format).

Lack of Chromecast Support on Spotify
I like to listen to music through my television and sound system connected (tied into) my television.  This is where chromecast comes in.  Why Spotify refuses to offer this feature is beyond me.  Especially for their premium users.  Forum after forum show Spotify subscribers begging for this feature to be added.  Clearly, there's some licensing issue between Google and Spotify.  This means Spotify loses in long run.

Music Discovery on Google Music All Access
This is where Google Play Music All Access is much, much better.  The music discovery is on par with Pandora.  Spotify always had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to hear.  It would get stuck on a specific genre or offer songs that really weren't in line with my tastes.  Google Play Music All Access offers music much more in line with what I'm looking for no matter what genre I select.  Better music discovery algorithm.  That's about right for Google.

For my money, I'm going with Google Play Music All Access and you should too.

Think differently?  Let me know in the comments.


Monday, January 5, 2015

I Just Went Rogue: The Edwin Jagger DE89lbl Safety Razor

Big news on the shaving front in my house...I just decided to go old school and ditch my Mach 3 Turbo razor in favor or a Safety Razor.

To start the new year, and in line with my quest to find the perfect shave, I have purchased this razor, to be exact:

The Edwin Jagger DE89lbl.


I'm petrified to actually shave with it.  I have visions of my face looking like it has gone through a blender.  But, I'm a man!  My daddy and my grandpappy and his father before him all shaved with an actual blade.  Why not me?  I'll be ok, right?  I'm not optimistic.  I can see this item available for sale on ebay in about two weeks.

I'm hoping this is a keeper - I'll keep you posted.

Do you shave with a safety razor?  What's your poison?  What's your favorite blade/handle combo?  Leave your comments below.