Group Claims Columbia Company Destroyed Their Business

News 19 WLTX

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A nasty legal battle is brewing between two technology companies.

Defamation, fraud and discrimination are the accusations.

SmartPhoneRecords is a California-based company that allows artists to share music from their cell phones on a mobile application.

The company partnered with 52inc., a Columbia-based design and development studio that builds apps for companies.

SmartPhoneRecords has filed a lengthy lawsuit against 52inc.

“They promised to rebuild our new platform for us. They never did,” Damion Hollomon of SmartPhoneRecords explained.

“It is a nightmare because it's simple if you destroy our stuff, you have to make us whole you have to fix it, you can't leave us broken,” SmartPhoneRecords’ Reyna Carrasco said.

The group says 52inc of Columbia stole their ideas, discriminated against them, deleted their database and destroyed their business after they had worked out a partnership back in 2015 through the USC/Columbia Tech Incubator.....continue reading

Massive Tech Incubator Scandal Rocks USC | FITSNews

FEDERAL COURT CASE ALLEGES CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD ENTREPRENEURS …

A pair of California-based entrepreneurs have filed a federal lawsuit against the University of South Carolina, its president Harris Pastides, a government-run “jobs” authority, a Columbia, S.C.-based law firm and a host of other plaintiffs alleging that the school’s high tech “incubator” engaged in a conspiracy to steal their work.

Damion Hollomon and Reyna Carrasco – creators of SmartPhoneRecords – filed their suit earlier this month in U.S. District Court in California.

According to the pleading, Hollomon and Carrasco applied to USC’s technology incubator program – FiredUP...continue reading on FITSNews

USC upstart incubator program in lawsuit with once participant SmartPhoneRecords

Procedural meltdowns and a potential breach of contract have helped hatch a lawsuit between a University of South Carolina incubator program and a business upstart previously participating in the program, according to court documents.

Litigation is ongoing between a partner company, 52 Apps, Inc., from the USC program and a former incubator participant, SmartPhoneRecords, or SPR. The firedUP incubator program at USC partners with applicant upstart businesses and their founders to provide support, guidance and potential capital to help get upstarts off the ground, according to its website.

SPR, the participant upstart involved in the suit...continue reading

New Updates Available Now!

Hey SPR Family,

We've just released some great new updates and we couldn't wait to share it with you!  The video below and the press release have all the details so be sure to check it out. We'd like to thank everyone for hanging in there with us.  We're just getting started and have a lot more to come so if you like what you see or just need some assistance with the app don't hesitate to send us a message at info@smartphonerecords.com. Many thanks!

GarageBand, Stripe, Dropbox, BeatMaker 2, and More ALL Compatible with SPR!

We want to thank everyone for downloading SPR and for the great feedback. Today we want to cover all the ways in which you can upload your tracks to our updated platform and get paid. In other words, whether you make your music in a state-of-the-art studio or create them on your smartphone, SmartPhoneRecords has you covered. Below you'll learn just how compatible your favorite music making and file sharing apps are with our interface so that now anyone can upload and sell their music. Check it out:

iOS
- Use the 'Open in' option to load files

Android
- Use "Choose A File To Upload" option to load files

Q. What audio format can I upload?

A. .m4a format for best results (aac)

Q. What is the recommended Album Cover size?

A. 1024 X 1024

Q. Method of upload accepted?

A. iPhone, Android & Website

Q. How do I get paid?

A. Activate your "Tip Button" in the app.  Connect your Stripe account with SPR and get paid directly to your bank account. 

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Absolutely nothing, it's all FREE!

Ways to upload your tracks to SPR:

SPR Website

SmartPhoneRecords.com - If you create music in a studio with a PC available, upload your tracks via our website at SmartPhoneRecords.com

GarageBand

GarageBand - GarageBand turns your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio — so you can make music anywhere you go. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play a piano, organ, guitar, and drums. They sound and play like their counterparts, but let you do things you could never do on a real instrument. Enjoy Smart Instruments that make you sound like a pro — even if you’ve never played a note before. 

To Upload your GarageBand tracks to SPR:
1.  Select track & press share
2.  Open in...
3.  Share Song (Choose Audio Quality)
4.  Copy to SPR

Upload your tracks to SPR with GarageBand

MusicStudio

MusicStudio - Music Studio offers a complete music production environment for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch with features and a sound quality previously only known to desktop applications and expensive audio hardware.

It combines a piano keyboard, 118 studio-quality instruments with sustain, a fully fledged 127-track sequencer, extensive note editing, reverb, real-time effects and much more on a user-friendly interface.

To Upload your MusicStudio tracks to SPR:
1.  Select project
2.  Export file
3.  Convert to AAC (.m4a file)
4.  Press share
5.  Open with...
6.  Copy to SPR

Add our tracks to SPR with MusicStudio

BeatMaker 2

BeatMaker 2 - the most advanced mobile music workstation. Combining music production tools that were behind the success of countless artists, BeatMaker 2 is a powerful, easy-to-use composition interface for amateurs and professionals alike.  Build your own virtual home-studio, create multiple instruments and connect them to a full-range of audio effects.  Compose, record, arrange and transform your ideas into complete songs, ready to be shared with others. Import your own sounds or use the sound library provided: more than 170 high-quality instrument and drum presets from synthesizers to realistic orchestral sounds. You can even export our songs to Dropbox and straight to your SPR account!

To Upload your BeatMaker 2 tracks to SPR:
1.  Select share
2.  Upload tracks to Dropbox (Dropbox Instructions Below)

Upload Tracks to Dropbox then to SPR

Dropbox

Dropbox - Dropbox is the place for your photos, docs, videos, and music. Files you keep in Dropbox are safely backed up and you can get to them from all your devices. It’s easy to send large files to anyone, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account.

To Upload your audio tracks to SPR:
1.  Select track & press share
2.  Open in...
3.  Copy to SPR

Add your tracks to SPR with Dropbox

Convert Audio

Convert Audio - Convert Audio allows you to convert almost all known audio formats to the below mentioned formats! Convert existing audio files and after the conversion you can add them to your SPR account!  How can we convert almost every file on your phone? Well, the converting is accomplished by uploading your file to the cloud where it will be converted and downloaded back to your phone (and deleted from our servers). This all occurs really fast and while the converting is being done you can just continue using your phone.

Convert: AAC, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, OPUS, or WAV to M4A

To Upload your converted tracks to SPR:
1.  Convert audio 
2.  Select track
3.  Open...
4.  Copy to SPR

Convert your audio file to .m4a (aac) advanced audio coding

Resize It Free

Resize It - helps you resize your photos or artwork to save and upload for your SPR album cover art.
It works on every device with iOS 7.0 or higher.

To resize photos:
1.  Select track
2.  Resize and press "ok"

Resize your album cover size to 1024 X 1024

How to activate your Tip Button and make money:

Stripe

Stripe - In the mobile app connect your Stripe account with SPR and get paid directly to your bank account. 

• One time process
• Your fans can tip you without leaving the app
• Money goes straight to your bank account
• Receive a push notification every time you make money

To connect account:

1.  On the settings page press "Manage Payment"
2.  Press "Receive Tips"
3.  Create your account (or connect your existing Stripe account) and that's it!

Active your Tip Button by connecting your Stripe account

Let us know what you think. We are still working on improving your experience, and will have more updates very soon! Thank you to everyone who has downloaded and added content to the app. We appreciate you! Like always, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach contact us at info@smartphonerecords.com.

SmartPhoneRecords

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: SPR Founders write their first book!

Available in Paperback and eBook

Nope, your eyes aren't deceiving you. It's our third blog in three days! That's because we have so many things going on that we simply can't wait around until Monday to let you in on the latest--which happens to be the news that we have written and published our very first book called Shut Up and Startup! What better way to end the year, right? Which also means it's a great time for you to check it out and let us know what you think. The reason for writing the book was that I felt there were so many business books out there that left me confused and overwhelmed when I was trying to build SmartPhoneRecords. So I decided that I would pen my thoughts and ideas with anyone who may be considering starting a business of their own, but in a much simpler way, using practical approaches that I adopted along our journey. 

There's always someone out there who dreams of starting a business but has no clue how or where to begin. If this is you or even someone you know, it's definitely worth checking out! Preorder now at www.shutupandstartupbook.com to start the New Year off on the right entrepreneurial foot. Best 50 pages you'll read all year! Don't forget to let us know what you think at @SmartPhoneRecs on Twitter or info@smartphonerecords.com. We appreciate you!!

2.0 Feedback - Keep it coming!

Happy Tuesday everybody! I know we usually post on Mondays but we wanted to send out a quick one to let you know that we're getting some great feedback about the new version. We are working hard to correct the few glitches that have been reported and should have everything smoothed out in no time. We thank you for every email and tweet of support that we've received as well as those who have pointed out the things that need fixing. Keep them coming! Reach us on Twitter at @SmartPhoneRecs or by email at info@SmartPhoneRecords.com. We appreciate you!     P.S.--For those who inquired, be sure your audio file is in .m4a format and your track image is 1024x1024. In case it helps, there are websites that convert audio files for free like audio.online-convert.com and sites that resize photos for free such as imageresize.org Please try it out and let us know what you think. Thank you for your patience!

SPR 2.0 Available Now on the Android!

SPR Fam! Happy Holidays to you. We're happy to announce the Android version of SPR 2.0 is AVAILABLE NOW on the Google Play store!! You'll instantly notice a few changes that we've made since the last time you've seen it and we know you're gonna love it. In the next few days we'll be sending out a FAQ list on how to get the most out of your updated platform, but in the meantime, be sure to download it and check it out! One last thing--we have another special announcement coming on Wednesday to jump off the New Year so stay tuned...      Don't forget, you can always find us on Twitter at @SmartPhoneRecs or by email at info@SmartPhoneRecords.com stay with us, there's more on the way!

SPR 2.0 is Here!

After years of constant work, fine tuning and overcoming many challenges, we are excited to announce that the new SmartPhoneRecords 2.0 app is finally here and now available on the iPhone! Loaded with new features and a brand new interface equipped with the absolute highest quality, this latest version is one you won't be able to ignore. Whether you make music or look to discover it, SmartPhoneRecords is the "one-stop shop" for all music enthusiasts!  Music artists are able to not only upload and sell their music from their smartphone, but can now access their account and upload new music from a PC as well, for FREE. We also provide the artist control from beginning to end, as we've included a publishing side to the process where they can view and monitor their streaming and sales activity through their very own analytics page. Yes, "for real." We are just getting started and still have more to come. We'd like to thank our team and everyone around the world for their patience, understanding and for supporting SPR through our transition. We do it all for you! Don't forget, we welcome all feedback and if you have any questions or concerns, we are here for you. Send us an email at info@SmartPhoneRecords.com or you can find us on Twitter at @smartphonerecs. Thank you, again. Download the app now and together let's make history. P.S.--For those who have an Android, we got you! We're putting on the final touches now and should be available within the week. Stay with us!

LA Techweek

SPR family. Before we begin our Monday blog, we want to take a moment to focus our attention on something we believe is much more important. To anyone who has been affected in any way by the tragic events that took place this past Friday in Paris, we send our deepest condolences to you, your families, and all of your loved ones.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and will continue to be during this time, and beyond. 

Additionally, we'd like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at the Santa Monica pier last week. This was by far one of the best techweek we've attended. Being on a pier with such great energy surrounded by one of California's most beautiful beaches was definitely a relaxing change of pace. We look forward to attending next year. 

We also would like to give a shout out to Launching.io for featuring SPR over the weekend on their website. Launching.io is a new community dedicated to those searching for up-and-coming startups. It's companies like this that really help bring awareness to what we do and for that, we thank Launching.io for showing us love. Check it out here!

SPR @TechweekLA

SmartPhoneRecords @ Techweek LA

Hey SPR family! 

November is here, can you believe it? For us, that means it's time to launch so we're off to Southern California for the annual Techweek event. 

Techweek celebrates innovation in emerging tech hubs across America, and takes place throughout the city of Los Angeles all next week before converging at Santa Monica Pier on Thursday November 12th.

The Techweek Launch Championship is the battle royale of pitch competitions. It’s where top startups from around the country – and the world – compete to be crowned Techweek’s Launch Grand Champion. The Launch Championship is Techweek’s top attraction and offers a chance for its attendees to meet the founders of rising companies that will soon change the world. So, if you happen to be in the area, stop on by the pier!

SPR Co-Founder Shortlisted for Most Inspiring Women in Technology 2015 Appster Award!

Reyna Carrasco
SmartPhoneRecords
COO & Co-Founder

Hey SPR Family! We wanted to share some great news with you about our Co-founder, Reyna Carrasco. She's been nominated for 2015's Most Inspiring Women in Technology Appsters Award being held in London next month. Check the link to read all about it! Thanks to all who have supported us along the way. We appreciate it!!

SPR @ the Global Mobile Internet Conference

Hey Everyone!

Hope your week is off to a good start. We just wanted to remind you that Tuesday and Wednesday we will be attending the GMIC event in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency. If you're in the area, stop on by and say hi!

Also, we've gotten many questions about our upcoming launch. We are working hard, getting closer and will have more info for you real soon. Thank you to all who have inquired. Hang in there with us! It will be worth the wait!

See you tomorrow!

Will SPR be Tech.Co Startup of the Year?!?

Hey SPR Fam!

Guess which app was selected as a semifinalist for Tech.Co Startup of the Year Award???? Yep, SmartPhoneRecords!

SmartPhoneRecords for Tech.Co Startup of the Year Award!

Tech.Co (formerly Tech Cocktail) is a media company and events organization for startups, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts. Tech.Co dedicates itself to covering news, how-to’s, up-and-coming startups, and industry trends online, and hosting events in over 30 cities in the U.S. and abroad.  Should we be voted as a finalist, we will travel to Las Vegas to compete for Startup of the Year in October. Just being in the finals is an honor.

Check out the link and vote for us if you have a second!

Thank you!!
Team SPR

SPR Top 20 @ the GMIC!

Hey Everyone!

SmartPhoneRecords @ GMIC

Even though we've extended our launch date, it doesn't mean we're not carrying on with business, as usual. In fact, we wanted to tell you that SPR has been chosen as a Top 20 finalist for the Global Mobile Internet Conference next month in San Francisco! It will be our 2nd time going to this event and we are thrilled to be invited back. We'll keep you posted!!

Hey SPR Family!

We have some exciting news to share! We just found out that we will be able to squeeze a couple more features in our upcoming 2.0 version that we didn't plan on implementing until next year! The only downside is that it won't be ready for another 90 days (or so), but as always, we will be keeping you updated on our progress. It was a tough decision to make, simply because we have been anxiously awaiting next week's launch date, but we simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to upgrade your user experience in a major way. We are really excited for you to see what we've got in store for you!

With that said, we want you to feel free to reach out to us with any questions, comments or concerns. We are just an email away, so please, if we can be of any help, don't hesitate to contact us at info@SmartPhoneRecords.com.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for sticking with us! We couldn't be doing this without you. Just know it will all be worth the wait!!

SPR @ GOAB Philippines

SmartPhoneRecords at GOAB

We know it's not Monday, but we just received some great news that SPR has been chosen to participate in the "Geeks on a Beach" international pitching competition on August 20-21 in the Philippines. GOAB is a conference held in Boracay that was started in 2013 to bring together people "passionate about startups, tech, design and making the world a better place." If you happen to be near Boracay during this time, we'd love to meet you! Additionally, if you are familiar with this area and have suggestions of places we shouldn't miss while we are here, let us know! Thanks to ALL of you.

Say Whaaaaaat?! SPR Ranked 9.3 Out of 10 on PreApps!

We are AMPED to share the review of the upcoming SPR 2.0 version by Coleen Regan from the one and only PreApps website. For those of you who aren't familiar with this site, it's basically a place to browse to learn about upcoming (or soon-to-be-launched) apps throughout the worldwide mobile app industry. Not only were we ranked 9.3 out of a possible 10, but we are also in the top 5 of the list, as well!  This happens when viewers "vote" for the apps they like, so according to our placement, we must be doing something right! You can find the link to the write-up on us here, check it out and see what the hype is all about.

As you can probably tell, we couldn't wait for Monday to roll around to share the exciting news with you. Thank you for all of your support and patience while we've been working on this upcoming version. We promise you will NOT be disappointed! We are getting closer to launch everyday, so if you're an artist, be sure to sign up here and add your songs to the platform to be a part of our global launch next month!!

#TeamSPR

SPR is now on Preapps!

Hey there! Happy 4th of July! Independence Day is one our favorite holidays at SPR. Not just because of the fireworks & barbecue (which are always cool) but because of what the day represents--the ability to break away from the control of others, to pursue your own freedom and to blaze your own trail, and we'd like to think of SmartPhoneRecords in the same way.

With that said, our relaunch later this summer will create a shockwave throughout the music industry. Our goal is to make SPR a platform truly designed for all artists around the globe. If you would like your music to be part of our launch please press here to upload your tracks for free. You can also log on to our featured page on PreApps to become a beta tester before the launch. Progress is impossible without change and SPR is the very change the industry has been waiting for.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
                                       
-Margaret Mead

Start uploading your music today!

Be one of the first artists on the new SPR app. Upload your music now!

Beginning today, artists can now upload their music into the new SPR system via our website. Because we are in the process of trying to rebuild our record store, the SmartPhoneRecords app is currently not available in the app store, but this is not a bad thing! We want to give your future followers and listeners a wide variety of music to stream and contribute to when the app launches, so now is the time to customize your music and personal profile just the way you want it.

For details on what the new SPR app features and what it will look like, click here

SmartPhoneRecords.com

-Existing Artist-

And for artists with existing accounts, don't worry, we've got you covered. In the new V.2 system, we've made it even easier to sign in just by using your Facebook and Twitter accounts. More importantly, our mobile app is launching this summer and will have hi-fidelity audio capability, another feature our first version didn't provide. For this reason, we are asking all artists to resubmit their music (and add new tracks) via the website today and be a part of this new hi-fidelity platform experience . As for any sales you've already made, these will be transferred to your account as well, as we want this transition to our incredibly new and exciting mobile app process to go as smoothly as possible.  

------

One important note: because we have just launched this new campaign within the last 24 hours, there may be some glitches that we are unaware of, and this is where we could use your help. If at any time you are experiencing difficulty uploading your music or accessing the website, please shoot our team an email ASAP. We want to know about it! This process is as new for us as it is for you and we want to ensure we get it right. Our team is standing by ready to assist you so please let us know how we can help at: info@smartphonerecords.com