“Apple is planning to unveil a song-discovery feature in an update of its iOS mobile software that will let users identify a song and its artist using an iPhone or iPad, said two people with knowledge of the product, who asked not to be identified because the feature isn’t public,” Adam Satariano reports for Bloomberg.
“Apple is partnering with Shazam Entertainment Ltd., whose technology can quickly spot what’s playing by collecting sound from a phone’s microphone and matching it against a song database,” Satariano reports. “Apple is set to preview the latest update of its mobile software, called iOS 8, at its annual developer conference that kicks off on June 2 in San Francisco.”
“The song-identification feature will be integrated into the mobile software in the same way that Twitter Inc.’s service is currently incorporated, meaning consumers don’t need to separately download it,” Satariano reports. “Among the ways it can be used will be through Apple’s voice-activated search feature, Siri. An iPhone user will be able to say something like ‘what song is playing,’ to find out the tune’s details, one person said.”
“Apple also has been mulling making iTunes Radio a stand-alone app instead of including it as a feature inside the iTunes store, one person said. A final decision hasn’t been made,” Satariano reports. “Apple also has been exploring whether to release a subscription-music service that would compete more directly with Spotify, Rdio Inc. and Beats Music LLC. Apple has built the service internally, yet has held off on releasing it to avoid slowing download sales, one person said.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, Shazam integration will be a nice feature. Certainly more convenient that having to launch a dedicated music identification app. Rival song-ID apps will feel much pain.
As for a standalone iTunes Radio app: Yes. Do it. The more ways for users to find and use it, the better.
We’re still stunned that iTunes Radio is so hidden within the OS X iTunes app. It’s in the main Music menu on iOS devices. Why not iTunes? And, why is the application “iTunes” on the Mac, but “Music” on our iPhones and iPads? Cripes. Consistency is your friend, Apple… Even in its current state (very good, not insanely great), iTunes Radio will become the world’s #1 streaming radio service, thanks to basic math. Steve Jobs would not be content with that. Apple should redouble their efforts with the goal of making iTunes Radio the world’s best streaming radio service in every way. — MacDailyNews, November 11, 2013
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz,” Dan K.,” and “Michael P.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Should Apple to break up iTunes? – April 16, 2014
Apple preps UK iTunes Radio launch – April 15, 2014
Apple shows a hint of panic over iTunes Store – April 15, 2014
Why Apple shouldn’t bring iTunes to Android or something – April 15, 2014
Underwhelming start to iTunes Radio lights fire under Apple; iTunes Store may get dramatic overhaul – April 9, 2014
The curious design decisions of Apple’s iTunes Radio – April 1, 2014
With iOS 8, Apple may give iTunes Radio to its own app to boost usage – March 12, 2014
Apple’s iTunes Radio already 3rd most popular music streaming service in USA – March 11, 2014
Apple delivers iTunes Radio to Australia – February 10, 2014
Parts of Apple’s iTunes Radio service flicker on in Australia, UK, and Canada – January 25, 2014
iTunes Radio heats up music streaming battle as service spreads beyond U.S. – December 14, 2013
Apple releases iTunes 11.1 with iTunes Radio – September 18, 2013
in iOS 7, they separates facetime with phone.
Now iTunes Radio with Music. How redundant can you get?
I can’t even use iTunes Radio.
Sounds awesome!
Love iTunes Radio, and now that I discovered the ability to change station behavior on what to play I love it more.
Love it!
Meh. When I can get 100% 3/4G network coverage, with unlimited data, I might consider iTunes Radio.
Why doesn’t Apple just acquire Shazam?
iTunes Radio….not available to users of Snow Leopard.
Brilliant move Apple.
FIRE Tim Cook!!
The Joke is on you, cheap skate! What prevented you from updating. Too busy
Some people NEED Rosetta genius.
FIRE Tim Cook!
If you really need Rosetta, buy Parallels, and run a Snow Leopard Server virtual machine under it. Problem solved.
You’re like that Roman senator who ended every speech with “Carthage must be destroyed!”, no matter what he was talking about.
——RM
Oh, and even if you “NEED Rosetta”, that doesn’t mean that you have to keep that Snow Leopard Mac as your primary machine. Most people in your situation would buy a new Mac for their daily use and keep the Rosetta machine around for the few things they still need it to do.
Are you really going to allow the unwillingness of some company to update their software to trap you on a Mac running an OS that’s 3 gens old? And better yet, to blame Apple for it? Genius?
Everyone on this site thinks you’re a moron. But please, keep posting and proving it.
——RM
It’s a troll, don’t respond.
Since when have you been running Snow Leopard on your phone?
Or iPad?
Who on earth would be wanting Shazam on a desktop machine?
(Rolls eyes)
I use sound hound but have to say that often by the time it launches then listens the sound/music you want recognised has finished. So this sounds potentially great.