Shazam, the cult music recognition app, has just reached a historic milestone by identifying over 100 billion songs since its inception in 2002.
A tech giant from humble beginnings
Born in the UK in 2002, Shazam initially offered a text-based phone service. Users would dial 2580, point their phone at the music source, and then receive the name of the song and artist via text message. It was a simple but effective method that laid the foundation for what Shazam would become.
With the launch of the App Store in 2008, Shazam entered the mobile ecosystem as one of the first apps available. This increased accessibility quickly propelled its popularity, allowing millions of users to instantly discover their favorite songs with just a smartphone.
Apple Acquisition and Deep Integration
In 2018, Shazam officially joined the Apple universe after a thorough investigation by regulators. This acquisition allows Shazam to benefit from Apple's technological resources and infrastructure, thus solidifying its status as a leader in music recognition. Since then, the app has been integrated directly into iOS and macOS systems, offering users even faster and more intuitive song recognition.
With this integration, Shazam has become accessible through various methods such as the Action button on the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, or the Shazam icon in Quick Settings, making it even easier for users on the go to access the service.
Impressive numbers and world records
Kavinsky’s “Nightcall,” performed at the closing of the Paris Olympic Games this summer, now holds the record for the most Shazamed song in one minute in the history of the app. This feat shows how deeply Shazam is rooted in major cultural moments and how it reacts in real time to global events.
In comparison, “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I, which was the most popular song on Shazam to date, has accumulated over 45 million tags. At an even more impressive pace, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone reached 10 million recognitions in just 178 days, setting a new standard for speed.
The Technology Behind Shazam and Its Continuing Advancements
Since its acquisition by Apple, Shazam has continued to improve its technological capabilities. The accuracy and speed of music identification have improved significantly, making the user experience ever more seamless. Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats, said the 100 billion milestone not only reflects the app’s popularity, but also users’ continued appetite for musical discovery.
The Shazam team continues to innovate to meet the needs of music lovers around the world. From improving recognition algorithms to integrating new AI-powered features, each advancement aims to enrich users’ musical experience.
By enabling emerging artists to gain visibility and reach new audiences, the app acts as a bridge between listeners and music creators. Newly released songs, such as those that have been included in Shazam 2023 predictions, benefit from accelerated exposure through the service.
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