Mobile music tagging is so 2007! What the kids really want these days is to learn the words of the songs they’re tagging, which is why Shazam has announced its first corporate acquisition, bringing synchronized lyrics to its iOS apps -- well, at least the paid ones, anyway.
Engadget is reporting that Shazam, “the world’s leading mobile discovery company,” has today announced the release of Shazam LyricPlay, a new feature for their paid iOS app products which allows for lyrics to view in real time, synchronized to whatever music you’re currently listening to. The feature comes by way of Shazam’s first acquisition, the synchronized lyric technology company Tunezee.
"Shazam leads the marketplace for mobile discovery and we constantly strive to develop even greater consumer experiences,” proclaims Shazam CEO Andrew Fisher in the company’s press release. “We are committed to make the necessary investments to build or acquire innovative technology in order to enhance these experiences as we continue to innovate and enhance the world's leading mobile discovery service."
So how does LyricPlay work? Simply tag a song, then activate the LyricPlay feature by tapping on the icon when it appears in your tag result. Turn your device to landscape mode and you’ll see the lyrics appear on screen as they “scroll, jump, pop or slide in real time with the song.” The company promises that each Shazam LyricPlay session “will be distinctive, as striking visualization themes integrate colors from the cover art of the tagged track.”
The LyricPlay feature is being introduced on Wednesday with updates to the paid Shazam Encore and (Shazam)RED apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Cheapskates (like us) still using the original free Shazam app need not apply.
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