Mobile music discovery provider Shazam has announced a major update of its app for the iPhone and iPod touch, including several new features that take advantage of the iPhone 4 and iOS4 capabilities. The new features are applicable to all Shazam versions for the iPhone and iPod touch, including Shazam Encore, Shazam (Product) RED Special Edition app and the Shazam free app. The company is also introducing a new annual pricing option for its premium offering.
Support for the multitasking feature on iOS4 enables a user to leave the Shazam app and use another function, to take a call or buy music on iTunes for example, and return anytime where they left off, to continue their Shazam experience. The new version of the app is also optimised for the iPhone 4s new retina display, which means all icons and imagery are brighter and clearer.
Among other new features is the ability to customise settings, to enable features such as ‘Tagging on start-up’ to deliver a faster music discovery experience.
Video is also improved, with tha app delivering multiple videos per tag from YouTube, which users can watch without leaving the app.
The app has been completely redesigned, with improved artist information, including track and album reviews, artist biographies and discographies, as well as song lyrics. There’s also a new ‘Discover’ tab to access Shazam Tag Charts, detailing the most popular new music in more than 20 countries, as tagged by Shazam users. Users can select which Tag Charts they want delivered every week, choosing charts from as many countries as they like, as well as ‘Europe’ or ‘World’ listings.
Shortcut icons which now appear when tapping on track cover art, enabling users to simply and easily preview the music, buy it on iTunes or share it via Facebook and Twitter.
“This is a major enhancement for our customers,” says Shazam CEO, Andrew Fisher. “Whether it is Shazam’s free, premium or (RED) version, we have made a significant investment to provide the most intuitive, interactive and immersive music discovery experience yet. 20m music lovers are already using Shazam on the iPhone and iPod touch and we’re confident that our new design and feature update will encourage more discovery, sharing and buying of music than ever before.”
Users of the free version of Shazam’s will have access to a number of new features, including access to Tag Charts from around the world; 30-second clip previews of tagged tracks; and a search function to discover new music by artist, track or album from Shazam’s 8m song database.
Also, starting today, users will be able to upgrade to Shazam Encore from within the app. They can choose to buy the premium version for an annual fee of $2.99 (£1.95) or choose a lifetime subscription for $4.99. Alternatively they can stay with the free version offering five tags a month.
Encore and (RED) users will continue to benefit from unlimited tagging capabilities and a range of exclusive features such as recommendations, car mode, and integration with Pandora and Last.fm.
All updates and new features are available in all countries around the world where Shazam is available. New users can purchase the premium versions, Shazam Encore and (SHAZAM) RED, for $4.99 (£2.99), or download the Shazam free version from the App Store.