It has been rumored for quite some time now that Google will be introducing its own music streaming service to go head on with the existing ones like Spotify, and true enough at the on-going Google I/O event, Google announced the Google Play Music All Access.

Google Play Music All Access not only allows you to stream music from three major record labels, in radio mode, you can even tweak your playlist and remove songs that you don’t like. Subscriptions costs USD$9.99 a month, in par with other similar music streaming services, and users who subscribe before 30 June 2013 will enjoy a USD$2 discount.

Unfortunately though, for now, All Access is only available in the US and is supported only on Android devices. More information available at our source link.

(Source: Engadget)

Any fans of Daft Punk here? Well, some of us here in the HQ absolutely love their music too and are really looking forward for the band’s upcoming album called Random Access Memories which is scheduled to be out very soon.

Hence, we found it is rather intriguing that Daft Punk latest teaser video about Random Access Memories is actually an unboxing video (something that we do numerous times here at Lowyat.NET) for the vinyl version of the album. Just take a look at it below, which was just published on their YouTube channel around one hour ago:

It is needless to say that the Daft Punk fans in our team got really super psyched about this video especially towards the end of the video where the first few second of the new album was played out loud. At this rate, we are not surprised if these guys turn up in the office wearing Daft Punk’s helmets and disco suit very soon…that might be a sight to behold, frankly speaking.

While it might appears that Sony has recently developed a fondness for water-resistant products through Sony Xperia Z and Sony Xperia Tablet Z  but truth to be told, the company have been producing products with that very capability for quite some time. Just few hours ago, they have launched yet another one called Sony Walkman NWZ-W273 for Malaysian market.

First introduced to the world at CES 2013 earlier this year, this particular device is the fourth model in the long-running Sony W Series Sports Walkman family but it is the first to feature waterproof capability (IPx8 rating). Specifically, the Sony NWZ-W273 can be submerged at a depth of up to 2 meter continuously – something that some of the previously released models in the W Series family not able to achieve since they are only water-resistant (IPx5 rating) but not waterproof.

Sights and sceneries from the Sony Walkman NWZ-W273′s Malaysian launch event few hours ago.

In fact, Sony is really pushing the idea on how one can enjoy listening to music while swimming using the new Walkman although we are pretty sure that many might think that the idea is rather bizarre. Take a closer look at the new Sony right after the jump, through the Read More link below.

EDIT: As pointed out in the comments, the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Speakers are not the most powerful or only THX Certified 2.1′s in the market. Apologies for the confusion as we were working off an old press release!

Back in the early 2000′s the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Speakers for desktop PC setup was one of big names in the market, desirable with pretty awesome sound for what it was, a simple 2.1 speaker setup. The problem with the old Promedia 2.1 setup was that the Amp was a little problematic and the speakers were a little “fragile”, not lasting for as long as they should. After a while, they just fizzled out in the Malaysian market, leaving people grasping at the hope for a saviour in either a successor or a refresh.

After a 10-year absence, Klipsch announced that the Promedia 2.1 would be coming back to the region. Since September last year, the forums were ablaze with talks of this cult classic making a resurgence in Malaysia. So have the refreshed Promedia 2.1′s given nostalgic audiophiles something to cheer about or was it just an example of whipping the crap out of a dead horse?

Review continues after the jump

Not many people in the world can say that they don’t like music. Here at the Lowyat.NET HQ, we’ve got a an eclectic range of tastes and thanks to Spotify, we can now share it with you! If you scroll down below the Lowyat.TV embed on the right sidebar of the site, you’ll find the embedded Spotify playlist for our curated list of songs that have been on repeat for the past week or so. We will be updating the music as frequently as we can to keep things fresh on the front page. If you have any suggestions for stuff we should listen to, you can Tweet us at @LowyatNET!

Bear in mind some of the songs may have some questionable lyrics, so try not to blast the playlist in the middle of work =)

If you’re on spotify, feel free to follow the playlist with this URL Lowyat.NET Editorial Team Curated Playlist!

PS: Bonus points if you can guess who likes which song =D

When it comes to headphones, Beats by Dr. Dre name often pops up into the discussion. While there are many split opinions about Beats’ products (audio quality is not the easiest thing to judge in the world, after all), the luxury audio brand still have strong recognition among consumers. A long time coming, the Beats Executive which was revealed to the world last October is now officially available in Malaysia.

Said to be made for travelling, Beats Executive is a lightweight over-ear headphones that is also equipped with active noise-cancelling feature that claimed to be powerful enough to reduce jet engine noise to a whisper. Additionally, users are also able to fold it for easy storage and it is also draped in metallic finish for a premium look that is always associated with Beats by Dr. Dre brand.

Powered by two AAA batteries, the headset comes together with quite a number of additional accessories in the box including multiple audio adaptors, two different audio cables, a carrying case and a cleaning cloths. Comes in black and white, the Beats Executive headphones is readily available from Technocrats (by Digital Fortress), Gadgetzone Sdn Bhd, Hotspot (by MTCS Group) and Mac Studio for RM 1,200.

To learn more about the headset, head on to www.beatsbydrdre.com.

After years of teasing and forcing Malaysians to go through a VPN just to access the service, Spotify is finally available in Malaysia. The leading music streaming service from Sweden now opens its 20 Million track database to Malaysians for absolutely nothing. Spotify’s free service allows you to stream just about any song in the world for absolutely nothing, inserting an audio ad every few songs or so to keep things even. Just so your friends know what you’re listening to, Spotify plays very well with Twitter and Facebook as well as its own social network of sorts.

Where Spotify really changes things is when you subscribe to their premium service. At RM14.90 the subscription is the cheapest that I’ve heard of across the board and that is so that we are given an “affordable option to piracy”. With the premium account, you get no ads, the ability to download your tracks to a mobile app so you can listen to songs on the go as well as enhanced sound quality. The Spotify app is available on iOS and Android as well as the desktop version.

Go get your free account today at http://www.spotify.com. While you’re there, get yourself some Premium too!

Look out for a Lowyat.NET Music Of The Month Playlist Coming Soon!

I don’t drive and that’s a huge problem getting around KL especially when amazing events like FMFA & ASOT600 are held all the way in Sepang. On top of that, even if you do drive and you want to party, you should always drink responsibly and not drive drunk. That’s where a designated driver comes in. Instead of making one of your friends bear the responsibility, the guys at Taxi Monger and FMFA have come up with a very attractive FLAT RATE going to and from Sepang International Circuit.

On top of that, random Taxi passengers will get free VIP upgrades! This promotion will go live at 4pm on next Tuesday (12 March 2013). In the meantime go download the app (iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/taximonger/id591025910?mt=8 / Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taximonger.driver&hl=en) and bookmark their site: www.taximonger.com!

Please note that a 50% surcharge will be added on to all trips after 12 midnight on both nights.

Eg. If the normal flat rate fare is RM60, it will cost RM90 after 12 midnight. You will not need to book a ride home via the app as the taxis will be available at the taxi stands.