Apple releases the greatly anticipated new iPhone SE

After years of rampant rumors and pleas from fans, Apple finally releases the greatly anticipated second generation of the iPhone SE, with a starting price of $399.

In addition to a lower, more affordable price range, the main reason that the original iPhone SE was so popular was that it allowed users to hold and use it in one hand, as well as place it comfortably in a front pants pocket. It also retained the front Home button that many found useful, versus the swipe that many of Apple’s later iPhones require.

After Apple began to empty it’s inventory of the original iPhone SE with sales and sold out promotions, there was general hope that this product would launch in April 2019, then Fall of 2019. This did not happen, and many holders of the original refused to upgrade to the larger, more expensive iPhones in Apples lineup.

There were long-running rumors that the new iPhone SE would sport the name, iPhone 9, or Iphone SE 2, but in the end, Apple stuck with the brand name of this unique mobile.

The iPhone SE now uses the of the general body shape of the iPhone 8, along with a 4.7 inch display. It also has an Apple A13 Bionic chip, similar to the iPhone 11 and Iphone 11 Pro. The camera has also been upgraded to a 12MP sensor with 4K video capability. PLUS, you can finally use an SE for Portrait Mode.

According to Apple, “The first iPhone SE was a hit with many customers who loved its unique combination of small size, high-end performance and affordable price; the new second-generation iPhone SE builds on that great idea and improves on it in every way — including our best-ever single-camera system for great photos and videos — while still being very affordable,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone SE features the industry-leading performance of A13 Bionic that enables great battery life, takes stunning Portrait mode and Smart HDR photos, shoots amazing videos with stereo audio, is great for games and super fast web surfing, and is built with the same industry-leading security features our customers expect. We can’t wait to get iPhone SE into customers’ hands.”

Other new features:

Augmented reality

Run the latest AR apps that let you measure real‑world objects, map constellations over the stars, and more.

Faster Wi‑Fi and cellular data

Wi‑Fi 6 and Gigabit‑class LTE can deliver much faster download speeds, whether you’re on Wi‑Fi or cellular networks.

Dual SIM, dual numbers

Dual SIM with eSIM lets you have both a business number and a personal number on the same iPhone.7

Water Resistance

iPhone SE is water resistant to 1 meter for 30 minutes.2 It’s not afraid of a little coffee, tea, or soda either.

See more about the iPhone SE 2020 HERE.

Phone SE is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models in black, white and red starting at $399 (US). Customers can also get iPhone SE for $9.54 a month or $229 with trade-in from apple.com, in the Apple Store app and Apple Stores.  iPhone SE is available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).

New TASTEABLE Magazine released, Volume 2

We are pleased to release this new special TASTE AWARDS edition of TASTEABLE Journal.

TASTEABLE is a curated bi-annual journal. This experimental, limited edition, lifestyle publication covers the best of Culture, Cuisine, Commerce, and Concepts as reported by TasteTV and TCB-Cafe Publishing and Media.

Interviews, recipes, tech, fashion, celebrities, entrepreneurs, wine picks and the year’s best chocolate.

On the cover is celebrity Andrea Feczko of Vacation Creation among other programs. Also includes Joanne Weir, Wine Oh TV, Ornella Fado, the Taste Hall of Fame Inductees, Taste Award winners, Tonewood Maple, Lotus Cars US, fragrance, Vessel, as well as the Photography Award winners

Get your copy on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2SWR1m0

Pet Shop Boys new album Hotspot flies up the Music Charts


The Pet Shop Boys are back, and their new album LP Hotspot is burning up the charts.

The album via x2 Records/Kobalt reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic chart, marking the duo’s fourth time reaching the #1 spot upon release.

It has gotten great reviews from from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Mail on Sunday:

  • “… the wistful beauty, grace, and gravity of their music only gets deeper as the decades pass.” – Rolling Stone
  • [one of the] “Most Anticipated Albums of Early 2020” – Billboard
  • ‘If anyone ever tells you that modern music is dumb, you can shoot them down with three syllables: Pet Shop Boys.. it’s the first of the albums of the year.” – The Mail on Sunday
  • “The album’s highs… further prove that the duo has had the most consistent career of any of their synth-pop peers.” – Paste
  • “Fourteen studio albums is a remarkable feat. And the standard isn’t slipping” – The Sunday Times

Hotspot marks their fourteenth studio LP and third in a series of albums produced and mixed by Stuart Price (following 2016’s Super and 2013’s Electric).

See their music video above: “Monkey business”

RETRO MUSIC VIDEO: Alana Davis, 32 Flavors


Sometimes an artist does a fantastic album, an awesome tour, then disappears from the eyes of the general public.

Breakout singer Alana Davis is such an artist, whose 2007 album from Elektra Records, Blame it On Me, shot up the charts and airwaves.

Enjoy two of her most remembered ballads here.

Find her at www.alanadavis.com


SAM SPARRO Shares Single “Everything” & New Album ‘Boombox Eternal’


Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer SAM SPARRO has announced the details of his long-awaited third album BOOMBOX ETERNAL, out February 21. The 12-track collection is his first full length album since 2012’s Return to Paradise and draws influences from the late-80s / early-90s pop music he grew up listening to on cassette through the speakers of his bedroom boombox. “The project is a love letter to my 8-year old self and to the music that made me want to be an artist,” Sparro notes. “The songs are mostly about love but also about power and breaking through boundaries.”

The album uses a palette of industrial-sounding percussion and classic Korg and Ensoniq synthesizers used by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation and a touch of early New Jack Swing inspired by Teddy Riley, with lush soulful harmonies and melodies completing the sound. Boombox Eternal is inspired by the heyday of Minneapolis-style production heard on career-defining albums from Prince, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Mint Condition and more, and features an exciting group of collaborators including We Are KING, Maluca, Rahsaan Patterson, Nikka Costa, Ryland Blackinton and Vaughn Oliver, with Sam at the helm of production.

Sparro has also shared “Everything,” the album’s second single and follow up to the praised “Outside the Blue” featuring Grammy-nominated group We Are KING. The joyous track is about being in the type of relationship where you feel secure and loved, feeling all the love that you put out being given back in return unconditionally. It was co-written with R&B legend Rahsaan Patterson (Brandy, Tevin Campbell) and composer Tim K (Honey Dijon). Tim K notes, “We were caught up in the magic of cassette tape jams, Roland boxes and general nostalgia. ‘Everything’ emerged from a loving jam of spine-tingling Patterson Bvs, some soulful chords and some kindred vibes.” “I was introduced to Rahsaan’s solo work in the early 2000s and fell in love with his buttery tone and his way with words and melodies. I later realized he had co-written and sang on some of my favorite songs. He’s brilliant and witty and talented and I’m so excited he’s a part of the album. Not just as a writer but singing background vocals with me on the track – It’s crazy!” Patterson returns, “Collaborating with Sparro was as fun and playful as ‘Everything’ sounds.” Hear “Everything” HERE.


Boombox Eternal is a celebration of life and love and a declaration of joy, in-spite of the division and problems in the world today. The music holds true to Sam’s irreverent, existential and witty style. Though nostalgic, the sound gets an update with modern vocal production and mixes courtesy of multi-Grammy winning mixer Josh Gudwin. Each of the album’s singles will also receive the maxi-single treatment with Sparro noting, “The project is a tribute to the era of maxi singles, cassingles and 12″ records. I wanted that to be reflected in the releases… As a record collector I always love finding vinyl that has all those extra versions on the B-side, and wanted to give that to my listeners too.”

Born in Sydney, Australia and raised in Los Angeles, Sparro’s releases include multi-platinum single “Black and Gold“–which has seen wildly popular covers by the likes of Adele, Katy Perry and more–#1 single “Happiness,” and albums Sam Sparro and Return to Paradise. He has also collaborated with Mark Ronson, Adela, Kylie Minogue, Aluna George, Basement Jaxx, Nile Rodgers and Adam Lambert, among others. Sparro won a GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Artist” and a “GQ Man of Style” award, and has been nominated for five ARIA Music Awards (Australia’s Grammy equivalent). He has also performed on stages around the world including festivals like Glastonbury, Coachella and Lovebox. In 2016, he released the final EP in his three-part series–Quantum Physical Vol 1, 2 & 3. Sparro is also a talented photographer whose work can be seen HERE on Instagram.


BOOMBOX FOREVER TRACK LISTING

01 – VIBE FOREVER (INTRO)
02 – PRESSURE
03 – LOVE LIKE THAT
04 – MARVELOUS LOVER
05 – OUTSIDE THE BLUE F/ WE ARE KING
06 – YOUR VIBE (INTERLUDE)
07 – EYE 2 EYE
08 – EVERYTHING
09 – BOW
10 – SAVE A LIFE
11 – THE PPL – F/ MALUCA
12 – VIBE FOREVER (OUTRO)

Music Video: Ed Sheeran – Beautiful People (feat. Khalid)

Ed Sheeran’s song “Beautiful People” visually shows a world of fame and glamour while lyrically stating that he does not want to be part of its superficial code of behavior and values.

A lovely tune and quite deep statement, with a Khalid adding emphasis.

Song: Beautiful People (feat. Khalid)
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Album: Beautiful People (feat. Khalid)