The Shazam app's longstanding success in the technology world is a testament to the utility of an app that can quickly recognize music from any source, and Google has taken a page from Shazam's book with its 'Now Playing' feature. Not only does Now Playing function in much the same way as Shazam, but it adds additional functionality in that it doesn't require any button-presses whatsoever. The always-listening phone feature presents the names of songs directly on the lock screen, saving time for songs that are only playing in glimpses.
The constant listening required by the Google Pixel in order to make Now Playing work might seem worrisome, but the function doesn't actually send any data to the cloud. Rather, it analyzes songs from a local "fingerprint" database of over 70,000 tunes. This means that it isn't quite as versatile as a service like Shazam, but it's also far faster.
Automated Song Identification
The Google Pixel's 'Now Playing' Feature Notes Songs Immediately
Trend Themes
1. Automated Song Recognition - Opportunity to develop similar features in other devices that utilize local databases instead of cloud computing for faster performance and increased privacy.
2. Always-on Functionality - Potential to apply the always-listening feature to other applications, such as voice assistants or security monitoring systems.
3. Innovative User Interface - Opening possibilities for new ways to display information by utilizing the lock screen or other easily accessible surfaces on mobile devices.
Industry Implications
1. Music Technology - Opportunities for developers to create similar automated song recognition features, or integrate with Google's Now Playing for more in-depth music experiences.
2. Smartphone Manufacturing - Potential to incorporate always-listening and fingerprint-database technology into future smartphone models.
3. Home Automation - Applications in voice-controlled house systems triggered by sound commands instead of voice commands, allowing greater accessibility and privacy for users.