Apple Said to Prepare Song-ID Feature for IPhone Software

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The company 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. Apple is working 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.

The song-identification feature will be integrated into the mobile software in the same way that Twitter Inc. (TWTR)’s service is currently incorporated, meaning consumers don’t need to separately download it. 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.
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The song-matching feature could boost Shazam, whose app was an early hit and has steered millions of song downloads through iTunes. The London-based company, with more than 90 million monthly users, has been weighing an initial public offering, Shazam Chief Executive Officer Rich Riley has said. Other Shazam executives have also previously discussed an IPO.

Apple hat deutlichen Nachholbedarf in Sachen Online-Musik-Business. iTunes Radio ist nur in den USA verfügbar, das Geschäft in Europa machen  konkurrierende Anbieter. Ein Befreiungsschlag könnte der Start des Streaming-Angebots iTunes Radio in Europa sowie der Einbau des Musikerkennungsdienstes Shazaam durchaus sein.