While Spotify and Apple Music may be the giants of the music streaming services, Deezer is perhaps a lesser-known streaming music platform that is nonetheless an excellent alternative. With access to more than 120 million songs, Deezer stands out by prioritizing premium sound quality through its HiFi plan that offers FLAC tracks that stream at CD quality, which is better than even Spotify offers (at the moment).
Additionally, Deezer’s personalized Flow recommendations teach your music taste to curate the perfect playlist for you. No more endless scrolling to find that ideal vibe. Give those earbuds the sound quality they deserve. Read more about Deezer below.
Deezer is a digital music-streaming platform that the company claims is home to more than 120 million songs. Similar to Spotify and Apple Music, Deezer lets you search for music by song, artist, album, and genre, and it even includes an algorithmic monitor called Flow that will start to recommend content to you based on your listening habits (once you’ve favorited 16 tracks or more). The Deezer mobile app is available for iOS and Android, and the desktop app can be downloaded for Windows and macOS. You can also go directly to to stream tunes.
Similar to competitor platforms, several Deezer features are locked behind a subscription paywall, including a fun tool called SongCatcher that listens for song lyrics and melodies to tell you the name of the track you’re listening to (similar to Shazam). One of the best parts of the Deezer experience is its HiFi library, which boasts FLAC tracks that stream at 16-bit/44kHz. That’s right on par with CD quality.
If you’re interested in taking Deezer for a spin, the only things you’ll need to get started are an internet connection and a smartphone and/or a home computer. You’ll first need to create a Deezer account. We recommend signing up for the free trial of Premium if you’d like to experience all the features and benefits that Deezer offers, although you’ll have the option to sign up for the ad-supported free plan, too.
Advertisement
For those of you listening on a PC, you can access the player directly through Deezer’s site, but there’s also a desktop app you can download for Windows and macOS, along with mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Once you’re signed in on Deezer’s site, the top three artists you choose will be displayed at the top of the page. As you scroll down, you’ll see multiple subcategories (with options including Made For You, New Releases for You, etc.) that are curated based on the artists you like and your listening habits. The left side of the main dashboard has multiple tabs to filter content by, including Music, Podcasts, Concerts, Browse, and Favorites. Each screen is well organized and simple to navigate, with things like genre and artist tiles laid out in a very clear fashion.
The iOS app is just as easy and intuitive to use. When you first launch it, you’ll be on the Home Screen, which places your three favorite artists at the top of the page, with a Discover tab located below this area. Here is where Deezer curates additional artists, albums, and tracks based on the favorites you chose and your listening habits. Tap the Explore icon at the bottom of the page to see even more music and podcast curations, as well as Deezer’s many radio stations and platform exclusives (housed under Deezer Originals).
Tap the Favorites icon to take a look at the playlists, artists, and albums you’ve favorited, as well as the music and podcasts you’ve downloaded for offline listening. And last but not least is the Search icon, which lets you search for a specific song, artist, etc. by typing in the search bar at the top of the page, sorting by genre, or using a feature called SongCatcher. This neat little Shazam relative listens for lyrics and melodies to help you determine the name of the song you’re attempting to find.
Deezer’s music library is divvied up into two major file formats: MP3s and FLAC files for hi-res listening. If you’re using Deezer’s free plan, MP3s are capped at 128Kbps. Under every paid Deezer subscription, MP3 files are capped at 320Kbps, with the option to downgrade to 128Kbps if you’d like (this is considered the “Standard” audio quality, with “Better” being the 320Kbps option).
For all the discerning audiophiles of the world, Deezer’s HiFi playback is available on multiple devices, and it uses 16-bit FLAC encoding at 1,411Kbps. As previously mentioned, this is CD quality we’re talking about, which is going to sound pretty good through a pair of decent speakers or headphones.
As far as the competition goes, platforms like Tidal and Qobuz definitely take things up a notch, with both offering 24-bit FLAC encoded content at up to 192kHz (billed as HiFi Plus and Studio Hi-Res, respectively). That being said, a more casual listener who still wants top-notch sound from a digital library should be more than happy with Deezer’s maximum output.
While it may be difficult to tell the difference between free and paid MP3 formats, listeners will definitely get a big boost in soundstage and overall quality when listening to Deezer’s FLAC-encoded music. For a while, Deezer listeners were also able to experience Sony’s 360 Reality Audio through a separate app, but this service is no longer supported.
In addition to iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, Deezer is compatible with several different smart brands. If you’re running your home with Alexa and Google Assistant, you’ll be able to use Deezer to play music through your Echo and Nest speakers and smart displays. Deezer is also built right into the Sonos ecosystem, and is simple to access using the Sonos S2 app. One of the best parts of having Deezer integrated into your smart home is the ability to use voice commands to play songs, which is something you’ll be able to do with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos.
There are also a number of car infotainment systems that have Deezer on board. If your vehicle supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, BMW, or RockScout, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite Deezer songs while cruising down the highway.
If you’re more about the at-home listening experience, you’ll also be able to download the Deezer app for Android TV and Roku. A note for Xbox users: Deezer discontinued its support for the Deezer Xbox app last year. Those with it installed can still use it, but it’s not getting any updates, new features, or support from here on out.
In many ways, Deezer is one of the best middle-of-the-road music-streaming platforms. There’s plenty to love regarding user interface, algorithmic power, and musical variety. And with the service available in 186 countries, Deezer’s archives will only grow. So what happens when you pit Deezer against competitive platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Qobuz?
Spotify tends to grab the attention of all the music streamers and for a good reason. The company’s paid subscriptions are a little bit cheaper than Deezer’s (Spotify’s individual Premium tier is $11 per month, with its Duo plan at $15 and Family plan at $17), its community features are a little more engaging, and its music library is a little more extensive. And while you won’t find HiFi tracks on Spotify right now, this elevated audio branch should be added to the platform shortly.
Apple Music is another big attention-grabber, with prices right in line with Spotify’s subscriptions at $6 per month for students, $11 for Individuals, and $17 for its Family plan.
Advertisement
Tidal is another big platform that touts high-resolution music formats, an immense library, and video content (which Deezer and a few other platforms are missing). Tidal’s plans start at $11 per month.
While Qobuz’s library may not be as immense as its competitors, you don’t need a subscription to purchase HiFi music from the service. We also mentioned that Qobuz offers some tracks in full 24-bit FLAC at up to 192kHz, the best sound quality you’ll get from a digital platform.
Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More
OpenAI has introduced a new tool to measure artificial intelligence capabilities in machine learning engineering. The benchmark, called MLE-bench, challenges AI systems with 75 real-world data science competitions from Kaggle, a popular platform for machine learning contests.
This benchmark emerges as tech companies intensify efforts to develop more capable AI systems. MLE-bench goes beyond testing an AI’s computational or pattern recognition abilities; it assesses whether AI can plan, troubleshoot, and innovate in the complex field of machine learning engineering.
AI takes on Kaggle: Impressive wins and surprising setbacks
The results reveal both the progress and limitations of current AI technology. OpenAI’s most advanced model, o1-preview, when paired with specialized scaffolding called AIDE, achieved medal-worthy performance in 16.9% of the competitions. This performance is notable, suggesting that in some cases, the AI system could compete at a level comparable to skilled human data scientists.
However, the study also highlights significant gaps between AI and human expertise. The AI models often succeeded in applying standard techniques but struggled with tasks requiring adaptability or creative problem-solving. This limitation underscores the continued importance of human insight in the field of data science.
Advertisement
Machine learning engineering involves designing and optimizing the systems that enable AI to learn from data. MLE-bench evaluates AI agents on various aspects of this process, including data preparation, model selection, and performance tuning.
From lab to industry: The far-reaching impact of AI in data science
The implications of this research extend beyond academic interest. The development of AI systems capable of handling complex machine learning tasks independently could accelerate scientific research and product development across various industries. However, it also raises questions about the evolving role of human data scientists and the potential for rapid advancements in AI capabilities.
OpenAI’s decision to make MLE-benc open-source allows for broader examination and use of the benchmark. This move may help establish common standards for evaluating AI progress in machine learning engineering, potentially shaping future development and safety considerations in the field.
As AI systems approach human-level performance in specialized areas, benchmarks like MLE-bench provide crucial metrics for tracking progress. They offer a reality check against inflated claims of AI capabilities, providing clear, quantifiable measures of current AI strengths and weaknesses.
The future of AI and human collaboration in machine learning
The ongoing efforts to enhance AI capabilities are gaining momentum. MLE-bench offers a new perspective on this progress, particularly in the realm of data science and machine learning. As these AI systems improve, they may soon work in tandem with human experts, potentially expanding the horizons of machine learning applications.
Advertisement
However, it’s important to note that while the benchmark shows promising results, it also reveals that AI still has a long way to go before it can fully replicate the nuanced decision-making and creativity of experienced data scientists. The challenge now lies in bridging this gap and determining how best to integrate AI capabilities with human expertise in the field of machine learning engineering.
VB Daily
Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily
Dell Latitude 3000 Series,
LATITUDE 3410 i3 10110u 4GB 1TB BAG
LATITUDE 3410 i5 10210u 4GB 1TB BAG
LATITUDE 3410 i5 10210u 8GB 1TB BAG
LATITUDE 3510 i5 10210u 4GB 1TB BAG
LATITUDE 3410 i5 10210u 8GB 1TB BAG
Dell Latitude 5000 Series,
LATITUDE 5410 i5 10210u 8GB 512 BAG
LATITUDE 5410 i7 10610u 8GB 256 BAG
LATITUDE 5510 i5 10210u 8GB 256 BAG
LATITUDE 5510 i5 10210u 8GB 512 BAG
LATITUDE 5510 i7 10610u 8GB 512 BAG
About two months ago, Shield AI co-founder Brandon Tseng and one of his employees were in an Uber weaving through Kyiv, Ukraine. They were headed to a meeting with military officials to sell them on their AI pilot systems and drones, when suddenly his employee showed him a warning on his phone. Russian bombs were incoming. Tseng met his potential demise with a shrug. “If it’s your time to go,” he said, “then it’s your time to go.”
If anything, Tseng, a former Navy SEAL, was itching for more action. Shield AI employees had previously been to much more dangerous areas in Ukraine, training troops on its software and drones. “I’m quite jealous of where they got to go,” Tseng said. “Just from an adventure standpoint.”
Tseng embodies that quiet macho-ness that pervades most defense tech founders. When I met him last month at the company’s Arlington office, he showed off a knife displayed in his office engraved with the SEAL slogan “Suffer in silence.” The white walls, whose tops glowed with fluorescent lights (to look like a spaceship, Tseng said), were covered with slogans like “Do what honor dictates” and “Earn your shield every day.” I pointed out they were pretty intense. “Are they?” Tseng replied.
In 2015, Tseng founded Shield AI alongside his brother, Ryan Tseng, a patent-awarded electrical engineer, with a clear mission: “We built the world’s best AI pilot,” he said. “I want to put a million AI pilots in customers’ hands.”
Advertisement
To that end, he and his brother have raised over $1 billion from investors like Riot Ventures and the U.S. Innovative Technology Fund. The company develops AI software to make air vehicles autonomous, although Tseng said they want Shield AI’s software in underwater and surface systems as well. It also has hardware products, like its drone V-BAT.
Shield AI is also part of a rare class of defense tech startups: one that’s actually landed decently sized government contracts, like its $198 million contract from the Coast Guard this year. As if trying to position themselves for an even bigger future, the founders chose a new office surrounded by three floors of Raytheon, one of the major defense contractors.
Ukraine: The lab for U.S. defense tech startups
September 16 was a sign of the changing times: Instead of making defense tech founders fly to the Capitol, put on their suits, and grovel to politicians, Washington, D.C., came to them.
Members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee gathered with Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, Brandon Tseng, and executives from Skydio, Applied Intuition, and Saildrone at UC Santa Cruz’s Silicon Valley campus. They discussed U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition reform and, inevitably, the role of U.S. technology in Ukraine. It was the first public hearing the committee has held outside of Washington, D.C., since 2006.
Advertisement
Ukraine has “been a great laboratory,” Tseng told the policymakers. “What I think the Ukrainians have discovered is that they’re not going to use anything that doesn’t work on the battlefield, period.”
Defense tech founders, like Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey and Skydio co-founder Adam Bry, have all flocked to the embattled country to sell relatively new technology for a rapidly deteriorating battlefield. Unfortunately, not all U.S. tech is working. According to a Wall Street Journal report, drones from U.S. startups have almost universally failed to operate through electronic warfare in Ukraine, meaning the drones cease to work under Russia’s GPS blackout technology.
“Ukraine is at war and people are being killed. But … you want to take those lessons learned,” Tseng told me a week later, reflecting on the hearing. “You don’t want to have to relearn any of those lessons. The United States should not want to relearn any of those lessons.”
Naturally, he’s confident that Shield AI’s drones have fared better in Ukraine than others because, he says, they can operate without relying on GPS. “We are working to get more drones over there based on the successes that we’ve had,” he said, although he declined to name specifics of how many drones Shield AI has sent over.
Advertisement
Terminator-like AI killers? Or ‘Ender’s Game’?
Tseng’s corner office is bare besides a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence, hanging crooked on the wall. He listed it as one of his biggest inspirations. “It’s not because we’re perfect, but because we aspire to these values that I would claim are perfect values,” he said. “That’s what matters most. We’re always marching in that direction.”
He straightened out the frame before brushing through an abbreviated history of warfare. Deterrence, he said, tends to happen when a radical new technology emerges, like the atom bomb, or stealth technology and GPS. AI, he said, will usher in the new era of deterrence — assuming the DoD funds it properly. “Private companies are putting more money towards AI and autonomy than any aggregate amount in the defense budget,” he said.
The potential value of AI-related federal contracts ballooned to $4.6 billion in 2023 from $335 million in 2022, according to a report by the Brookings Institution. But that’s still a fraction of the over $70 billion that VCs invested in defense tech in roughly the same period, according to PitchBook.
Still, the biggest question of military AI use is not budget — it’s ethics. Founders and policymakers alike grapple with whether to allow completely autonomous weapons, meaning the AI itself decides when to kill. Lately, some founders’ rhetoric appears to be on the side of building such weapons.
Advertisement
A few days ago, for instance, Anduril’s Luckey claimed there was “a shadow campaign being waged in the United Nations right now by many of our adversaries” to trick Western countries into not aggressively pursuing AI. He implied that fully autonomous AI was no worse than land mines. He didn’t mention, however, that the U.S. is among over 160 nations that agreed to ban the use of anti-personnel land mines in the vast majority of places.
Tseng is firmly opposed to fully autonomous weapons. “I’ve had to make the moral decision about utilizing lethal force on the battlefield,” he said. “That is a human decision and it will always be a human decision. That is Shield AI’s standpoint. That is also the U.S. military’s standpoint.”
He’s right that the U.S. military does not currently purchase fully autonomous weapons, although it does not ban companies from developing them. What if the U.S. changed its standpoint? “I think it’s a crazy hypothetical,” he answered. “Congress doesn’t want that. No one wants that.”
So if he doesn’t foresee an army of Terminator-like killers, what does he envision? “A single person could command and control a million drones,” Tseng said. “There’s not a technological limitation on how much a single person could command effectively on the battlefield.”
Advertisement
It’s going to be akin to “Ender’s Game,” he said, referencing the 1985 sci-fi classic where a child military officer can release legions of space armies with the wave of a hand.
“Except instead of actual humans that he was commanding, it’ll be f—ing robots,” Tseng said.
Uber is turning to OpenAI and ChatGPT to help push the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) by its drivers. The ride-share company announced the new AI assistant at the Go Get Zero sustainability conference in London among several other green initiatives. Uber will employ OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, the same one undergirding ChatGPT, to create a guide for drivers along the road toward where they are confident and comfortable behind the wheel of an EV.
The idea of AI as a personal automotive concierge makes sense, considering the complexities of switching away from gas cars. That means the AI will adapt to the user, tailoring its answers around how to buy and take care of an EV to who is asking. The AI will come packed with data about purchase prices, how to charge and maintain the car, and other useful information unique to EVs.
The AI will also adjust its responses to match where the driver lives. Geography matters since many states, cities, and other locales have incentive programs to entice people into switching to electric cars, but they are far from uniform. The same goes for mapping out charging stations that the drivers can rely on should their battery run low. A Californian Uber driver might regularly discuss the state rebates and tax credits they earn for getting an EV, while, at the same time, an Uber driver in New York asks the assistant about discounts at nearby charging stations.
Uber AI
Uber isn’t going to limit the AI to talking about electric cars forever. The company said it will widen the types of questions the AI can answer and the data sources it pulls from later in 2025 in order to make the AI more flexible and useful in more circumstances.
Personalizing a specialized AI assistant like this may end up seeming inspired as an approach should it pan out. Still, it’s a lot less daunting to learn about EVs through a conversation with an AI than trying to plow through a lot of often complicated technical and regulatory documents. The ChatGPT-based AI companion also fits with Uber’s more extensive list of new and upcoming features to encourage EV adoption like letting riders specifically request an EV and matchmaking EV Uber drivers with those considering it to answer any questions the AI couldn’t.
Advertisement
For OpenAI, it’s another milestone in expanding into the automotive AI space. Voice assistants are a common feature in modern vehicles, and ChatGPT’s models are powering a growing number of vehicular AI assistants. Volkswagen began embedding ChatGPT in its cars on a wide scale last month. The upgraded Ida voice assistant leverages OpenAI’s model to be more conversational and handle a broader array of requests than had been previously feasible. Between VW, Uber, and experiments from Mercedes-Benz and other carmakers, OpenAI has a shot at heavily influencing how we engage with the next generation of car AI assistants.
You might also like…
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login