Shazam

Mobile App: Shazam

Benjamin Bruce Reade

CIS/207

October 29, 2012

Michael Suder

Mobile App: Shazam

With the advent of Smartphones, there have been many companies developing apps to complement these devices. One such app is called Shazam, which when it first came out was a simple service designed to connect people with music they heard but did not know. The app hears the song, and it brings up information including the title of the song, the artist or group, the album, and the year it was released. It has become one of the most popular apps for the iPhone on the iTunes App Store and Google Play market for the Android Smartphone. There are one-quarter of a billion mobile devices in the world that have an active Shazam app on them right now (Humphrey, 9/18).

The main purpose of the app is to listen to a song, search its database and bring up the relevant information of that song. The app also brings up links to other information, including the lyrics, any tour information, and the ability to buy the song through a third party online store. There are also links to other apps, such as YouTube for music videos and radio apps to listen to the song. Since its initial release it has also added another function. Shazam has partnered with many companies so they can take advantage of the app to tag advertisements. When certain commercials are showing on television, when used, the app will load special deals for the retailers, as well as how-to tips and design ideas for home improvement sites. This has been a boon to businesses out there because they use the app to get people extra information that ultimately will bring in more business for that company. The bottom line: To snare a piece of the $189 billion TV ad market, Shazam wants its 200 million users to tag ads just like they do songs (Satariano, July 05, 2012).

Another new enhancement compliments television shows. Shazam is working with broadcast channels, such as NBC, to have the ability to tag...