Discover And Identify Music Through Images Using Tune App

If you have a smartphone and follow app news to any degree, you're more than likely aware of the two most popular music tagging apps, Shazam and SoundHound, which identify music by sampling sound. It's an effective method, however, 9Labs has decided on a different approach for their new app, Tune. Designed to offer a similar music identification and discovery experience as sound sampling music tagging apps, Tune uses imagery to recognize or recommend albums. You can take a photo of a music album cover or a DVD case of a movie and get immediate access to those songs. In addition, you can discover new music by taking a photo of a random object. Unlike identification, which looks for exact matches, the discovery method uses word and object detection. For some examples:

• The Halo Reach game case cover art resulted in a suggestion of Smoke Ring for My Halo.
• A potted plant resulted in a suggestion of Potted Meat: The Karl Childers Album
• A blanket with a cartoon sun resulted in a suggestion of When The Sun Goes Down

  Tune's music database is provided by Rdio. Without an account, songs are limited to preview length, although, you can log-in with your Rdio credentials and get full playback. Whether or not you'd prefer Tune would depend on usage. Sound sampling apps are more practical for identification, but Tune has a much more unique method for discovering new albums. Tune App is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, 32GB and 64GB third generation iPod touch, fourth generation iPod touch and newer running iOS 5.0 or later, and available in the App Store for $0.99. Rdio mobile accounts start at $9.99 per month for unlimited web and mobile access.

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