SoundCloud has been in the headlines more for its fraught negotiations with the major labels rather than anything else of late, but that hasn’t been the only issue they’ve been focusing on. Today, the streaming company officially unveiled their new app, SoundCloud Pulse, aimed at helping creators manage their accounts more easily and effectively no matter where they are. Pulse, which is currently only available for Android users, will allow users to reply to comments, post public and private streams, follow other accounts and view live play counts for the content they post.
While its initial offerings are basic, SoundCloud sees Pulse as the first step towards providing a full mobile platform for creators to access their accounts without having to be at a desktop, with more features — mobile uploads, in-depth statistics and an expanded messaging function — and an iOS app on the way.
Pulse mirrors similar moves made by SoundCloud competitors like Pandora (AMP), Spotify (Insights) and YouTube (YouTube For Artists) over the past 14 months as companies begin sharing listening habits, location data and other streaming information that artists can use to help them chart tours or get a better handle on the metrics behind their fan base, for instance. The app is available in the Google Play store.
Pulse arrives as SoundCloud’s battle with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in particular continues, with the streaming service eager to strike a licensing deal that would keep Sony and Universal artists on their platform (In May, Sony pulled its artists’ music from SoundCloud while negotiations continued). The company has lined up deals with both Warner Music Group and indie label group Merlin as it tries to add to its monetization program, On SoundCloud.
Check out some screenshots from SoundCloud Pulse below.
