How does Shazam work?

[Pigmy Pony]

I'm guessing that when Shazam is 'listening', it's converting the sound to ones and zeros, and comparing them to its database.

When on holiday there was this band having a go at 'Sultans of Swing', and I tried it out. But Shazam was having none of it. Probably didn't help that the singer seemed to be just mouthing the sound of the lyrics with no understanding of what he was 'saying'.

Perhaps Shazam was just saying to me that it wasn't going to dignify that racket with a reply.

[Sherwood]

I'm guessing that when Shazam is 'listening', it's converting the sound to ones and zeros, and comparing them to its database.

When on holiday there was this band having a go at 'Sultans of Swing', and I tried it out. But Shazam was having none of it. Probably didn't help that the singer seemed to be just mouthing the sound of the lyrics with no understanding of what he was 'saying'.

Perhaps Shazam was just saying to me that it wasn't going to dignify that racket with a reply.

It's a guy called Kevin with a pair of headphones, a keyboard, and no mates! :rolleyes:

[Pigmy Pony]

It's a guy called Kevin with a pair of headphones, a keyboard, and no mates! :rolleyes:

:lol: Gotta love Kevin! And his cousin Norman who deals with the classical side :)

[alphaGT]

I'm guessing that when Shazam is 'listening', it's converting the sound to ones and zeros, and comparing them to its database.

When on holiday there was this band having a go at 'Sultans of Swing', and I tried it out. But Shazam was having none of it. Probably didn't help that the singer seemed to be just mouthing the sound of the lyrics with no understanding of what he was 'saying'.

Perhaps Shazam was just saying to me that it wasn't going to dignify that racket with a reply.

Just yesterday, a friend stopped by, and as we listened to the stereo, he showed me that his Android phone was naming every song I played! He wasn’t sure why? But there it was, written across the bottom of his home screen. I suspect you’re right, it must be an exact copy for it to be identified.

Russell

[Discopants]

It's a guy called Kevin with a pair of headphones, a keyboard, and no mates! :rolleyes:

I always thought it was a call centre in Bombay with rows of Indian music geeks.


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[Primalsea]

So, who is actually listening to us through our phones and smart devices? Some shady government or have they outsourced it all to a low labour cost country. Or it could just be some sociopath geek.

[Discopants]

So, who is actually listening to us through our phones and smart devices? Some shady government or have they outsourced it all to a low labour cost country. Or it could just be some sociopath geek.

Its all been outsourced to Google


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[Spectral Morn]

My understanding he is a college student, Billy Batson, who met a wizard who gifted him with powers so when he says Shazam he becomes Captain Marvel..... So how it works is by saying SHAZAM ;)

:sofa:

[alphaGT]

That Eric Snowden fellow, who I think was recently arrested by the US in Britain? When the Russians threw him out of Russia. He blew the whistle on the NSA, who apparently have giant computers that monitor every cell phone call, and email, in the entire world! When certain key words are used together, it throws up a flag, that sends it to a human agent for review. Supposedly how they caught Bin Ladin?

So, anyway, that artificial intelligence they created to do this, can also be used to identify music. A friend of mine has an android phone, and as we sat in front of my stereo, it was naming every song I played, for no particular reason.

But, I do think it has to be a bit for bit copy. He was saying a friend of his who plays in a cover band was on stage playing a song, Sultans of Swing, and he tried to get his phone to identify it, and it would not. So, it’s not too smart.

I have had several instances where my phone was off, and when I turned it on and started Google, it jumped to define something we had been talking about. So, no doubt our devices are listening to us, even when they are off!

Back in the late 60’s, Nixon had the CIA looking into some way for our TV’s to be looking back at us! At the time, it was deemed impossible to do without being found out. But now! All the new TV’s have cameras and microphones and Alexa built right in! So, we are living in an Orwellian nightmare! But at least my phone can identify that song I can’t recall the name of!

Russell

[walpurgis]

We are being spied upon everywhere, all the time. Not to worry though, it creates so much data that only the most discriminating computer searching flags anything and they (whoever 'they' are) are unlikely to even be aware of most individuals, let alone have an interest in them, there are simply too many people to keep tabs on.

Thought that occurs to me, is do people who do their best to stay 'below the radar' as it were, prompt interest in themselves by doing so? I'll bet there's some sort of search algorithm at work that looks for exactly that.

Oh, and the little communications spy planes can be seen circling London skies every day. They go round and round and round in ten mile circuits for hours. They're based at RAF Northolt if you want to Google it. I've probably now been flagged for mentioning this! :D (If they are listening I have a message....BOLLOCKS!)

[Alex_UK]

IMHO - you only have a reason to be concerned on being "spied on" if there's a reason you're being spied on... Personally I don't care who's "listening" to me, as long as they're listening to the bad guys...

[Ninanina]

I've know idea how it works but have found it really handy and I think I've only had a couple of 'misses' so far

[alphaGT]

My Apple phone doesn’t have it, I guess I’d have to download the app to get that service? But my friend’s Android phone does it automatically. It works all the time, even if the phone is off, well in standby mode. I guess it’s there just for the recording industry? So when you hear a new song you like, you’ll know the name so you can buy a copy? Otherwise, I really see no use in it? Unless you’re listening to that “subversive” music! Then it’ll flag you!

Russell

[alphaGT]

IMHO - you only have a reason to be concerned on being "spied on" if there's a reason you're being spied on... Personally I don't care who's "listening" to me, as long as they're listening to the bad guys...

I’ve always been inclined to agree on that. Unless you’re a gangster or terrorist, what’s to worry about?

But recent developments going on with Google, Twitter, and Facebook, the state of New York, etc. they are actively trying to silence conservative thinking. And the mayor of New York is targeting NRA members! Trying to make it so no banks will do business with them, etc. Christian and conservative YouTube channels are being shut down! And anything pro Trump is being erased, and those who speak out are being harassed by the law, and the bank. I’m afraid the times when just being an ordinary guy will be enough to keep you out of trouble are shrinking, things are about to get ugly. Personally I try to keep my thoughts and feelings off the Internet. A university cop in Washington state was fired, simply for “liking” on a Trump website! He didn’t even comment. Scary times are ahead.

I saw on a TV show talking about new tech, the Chinese have these new cameras that can isolate hundreds of faces at once! They demonstrated on a crowed sidewalk in China somewhere, you know, a hundred people wide by ten miles long. And it was identifying every single individual by facial recognition! Anyone who the government wanted to talk to could be followed from camera to camera, pretty scary stuff. There are places on earth right this minute where being a Christian is enough to get you and your family killed. Our governments are sliding down the crapper faster and faster these days.

Russell

[Primalsea]

I agree. Its not that I have anything to hide or plan on doing anything bad. The problem is the accumulation of data on people’s habits and choices. If it was solely about sending me ads of things that were actually of interest for me that would be fine. Hopefully by just posting this my wife will keep seeing adverts about the JBL 70th anniversary speakers I’m lusting after.

[Discopants]

We are being spied upon everywhere, all the time. Not to worry though, it creates so much data that only the most discriminating computer searching flags anything and they (whoever 'they' are) are unlikely to even be aware of most individuals, let alone have an interest in them, there are simply too many people to keep tabs on.


Thats all well and fine, until the artificial intelligence develops enough so that “they” can be concerned about everything.....

Then one day, you find yourself under house arrest, locked in your own home just for expressing some sympathy for a political idea....


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[alphaGT]

Thats all well and fine, until the artificial intelligence develops enough so that “they” can be concerned about everything.....

Then one day, you find yourself under house arrest, locked in your own home just for expressing some sympathy for a political idea....


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At least we’ll have our stereos to keep us company!

Russ

[Primalsea]

The worst is that if you have any musical guilty pleasures, maybe you’re a closet S-Club 7 fan, you’ll soon be outed as soon as you have a moment of weakness.

CCTV and facial recognition soon put a stop to those secret lemonade drinkers, even when paying cash they still knew who had been buying the stuff...

[Beobloke]

Who cares how it works - it’s the best app ever!

If you have Spotify, too, you can link the two and it saves anything you’ve Shazamed into a special playlist for you.

[Pigmy Pony]

Lost count of the number of times I've been driving somewhere, and something interesting has come on the radio. I arrive at my destination, but just sit in the car, waiting for the song to end, to find out what it was. And almost every time they run straight into something else :steam:

Not any more! And good for music that comes up on the telly - so rarely credited by the programme makers.

Hopefully Shazam is only listening when I ask it to, I wouldn't want that technology to be readily available to anyone with the money and determination. In particular some crackpot religious group becoming "concerned" about my frequent playing of Barbra Streisand records and showtunes :(

[Haselsh1]

That Eric Snowden fellow, who I think was recently arrested by the US in Britain? When the Russians threw him out of Russia. He blew the whistle on the NSA, who apparently have giant computers that monitor every cell phone call, and email, in the entire world! When certain key words are used together, it throws up a flag, that sends it to a human agent for review. Supposedly how they caught Bin Ladin?

So, anyway, that artificial intelligence they created to do this, can also be used to identify music. A friend of mine has an android phone, and as we sat in front of my stereo, it was naming every song I played, for no particular reason.

But, I do think it has to be a bit for bit copy. He was saying a friend of his who plays in a cover band was on stage playing a song, Sultans of Swing, and he tried to get his phone to identify it, and it would not. So, it’s not too smart.

I have had several instances where my phone was off, and when I turned it on and started Google, it jumped to define something we had been talking about. So, no doubt our devices are listening to us, even when they are off!

Back in the late 60’s, Nixon had the CIA looking into some way for our TV’s to be looking back at us! At the time, it was deemed impossible to do without being found out. But now! All the new TV’s have cameras and microphones and Alexa built right in! So, we are living in an Orwellian nightmare! But at least my phone can identify that song I can’t recall the name of!

Russell

We have one of those establishments here in the UK called RAF Menwith Hill except of course it has little to do with the RAF and a lot to do with the NSA. Menwith Hill is actually a US base close to Harrogate where they listen in to the UK's conversations, track key words in text messages and hopefully keep us safe and sound. Strange then that it did nothing to help with the London Bridge attack. Or, could that have been because they handed over control to MI6 and the British..?

Oh yeah, don't forget that 'smart' phones can be remotely controlled even when you think they are turned off.

On a similar subject, there is an RAF base here in Lincolnshire that is ultra secret and appears to be heavily involved in digital intercepts and listening to what you are up to via your 'smart' phone. This base works very closely with GCHQ in Cheltenham. I wonder if data protection laws apply to these places..?

Back to the OP though, I think Shazzam is wonderful when my missus uses it. Bloody clever.

[alphaGT]

We have one of those establishments here in the UK called RAF Menwith Hill except of course it has little to do with the RAF and a lot to do with the NSA. Menwith Hill is actually a US base close to Harrogate where they listen in to the UK's conversations, track key words in text messages and hopefully keep us safe and sound. Strange then that it did nothing to help with the London Bridge attack. Or, could that have been because they handed over control to MI6 and the British..?

Oh yeah, don't forget that 'smart' phones can be remotely controlled even when you think they are turned off.

On a similar subject, there is an RAF base here in Lincolnshire that is ultra secret and appears to be heavily involved in digital intercepts and listening to what you are up to via your 'smart' phone. This base works very closely with GCHQ in Cheltenham. I wonder if data protection laws apply to these places..?

Back to the OP though, I think Shazzam is wonderful when my missus uses it. Bloody clever.

Of course we are told that these technologies are for our protection. And for the most part I guess they are. But it seems to me that every new technology is equally good and evil, depending on how they use it. These agents tuning in on terrorist are just as likely to spy on the ex girlfriends. And like what is happening with social media, in an effort to control, “hate speech”, they wind up pushing their political agendas. Apparently anyone who doesn’t agree with them is hateful?

But what’s crazy, is that we all got along just fine before the Internet was ever created! Before cell phones or text messages, the world worked just fine, it’s not the end of the world to simply turn it off. If someone is bullying you online, turn it off! They act as though that’s not even a possibility. If gangsters were to go back to writing hand written letters and sending them through the mail, they’d never get caught! The NSA would lose their minds trying to figure out what they’re up to!

Russell

[Pigmy Pony]

My old iPhone died recently, so I upgraded...to another old iPhone. Sim only contract you see. Anyway, I can't seem to get Shazam onto it, which is a bit of a sickener. The other day a song came on Radio 6 Music (I'm a recent convert and probably the last person in the world to hear what a fabulous station that is), and I waited for the end of the song at which point my customer started talking about his dog, and talked all over it.

I thought it would be a long shot, but next day I went on their website, and it listed all the songs that had been played, so I found the song I was looking for. Happy days! The song was "Riddim" by Us3 from their album Hand on the Torch, which I've now ordered off Music Magpie for 2 quid. I'm easy suited me :)

Still want my Shazam back tho

[biffo]

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

Thought this should be added to the discussion says it so well

[struth]

they came for me too, but i told them i was out

[walpurgis]

I'm one of those that comes for people.

[Macca]

What happens when they come for the people who come for the people?

I'd want to know exactly how far down the list I am before I made any final decision. They might never get around to coming for me.

[walpurgis]

What happens when they come for the people who come for the people?

I'd want to know exactly how far down the list I am before I made any final decision. They might never get around to coming for me.

But then you'd feel rejected. :)

[Macca]

But then you'd feel rejected. :)

I feel like that anyway :(

[biffo]

Think at the end it will be the machines who come for everyone:): unless they breakdown and there is no one left to fix them but thats another story:eek:

[Silent]

I've never been able to get Shazam to recognise anything other than the song the artist produced. Covers by buskers, whistling a tune etc, it just doesn't pick it up. Must be however it's algorithm is coded.

[struth]

http://coding-geek.com/how-shazam-works/

gives a long winded technical explanation..;) im not reading it all...my life is too short i fear

[Pigmy Pony]

Think at the end it will be the machines who come for everyone:): unless they breakdown and there is no one left to fix them but thats another story:eek:

Not if the machines are made by Whirlpool. Most will have been recalled, the rest caught fire en route.