A new radio app promises to deliver your favourite songs while also becoming your personal radio announcer.
Omny, which launched in Australia last week, streams radio and music but also reads content out to you – according to a media release from the company.
You get the latest news stories, your daily agenda and other updates without ever having to look at your device’s screen.
Co-founder Ed Hooper thinks Omny is perfect for the daily commute: “Whether walking, driving or even cycling, Omny helps you keep your eyes on where you are going. Omny uses an algorithm that learns as you go, so it’s a personal radio station that is truly unique from user to user. Simple swiping and liking gestures tell Omny which content you like most.”
Omny pulls the following content:
- Weather forecasts
- Your Facebook feed (telling you who’s birthday it is and other updates)
- Your Email account(s) (telling you how many unread emails you have, the subject lines, and more detail if you like)
- Premium radio shows (through partners like BBC, NPR, TED)
- Music (through Spotify, Songl, Rdio and your own songs via iTunes)
After the Australia launch, an international roll-out is planned.
But still, at home, Omny is joining an already crowded space of music streaming/downloading platforms.
At least 15 other players exist in Australia and that’s before the release of iTunes Radio outside the US, with the backing of Apple.
Funded by Adventure Capital and Optus Innov8, the founders are confident that Omny will flourish.
“Music services like Spotify and Pandora focus on music, and do this really well. But that’s all they do. We created Omny to be more like a radio station, keeping us entertained as well as informed,” added Hooper.
“We also wanted it to be helpful, providing personal updates and information to help people stay organised and live their lives better.
Omny is currently available for the iphone; an Android version is expected in the New Year.