PORT of SPAIN, Trinidad– August 1, 2006 - Motorola
will soon introduce MotoID, a new application that will be preloaded into
specific handset models, and that will allow users in Latin America to identify
the title and the artist of many popular songs being played, while on the
go! With the introduction of MotoID Motorola will provide users a one of a
kind music experience that is essential to Motorola’s leadership in the mobile
music space in Latin America.
“Imagine being able to identify and download music content on the go! –
Motorola’s MotoID service will allow users to identify, in just a few seconds,
a song being played, only by holding the phone near the music source and, after
receiving the song information, immediately downloading content associated to
that song!”, said Chip Leon, Marketing Director for Latin America,
Motorola. “Motorola’s MotoID service will become one of the most important
success stories towards our music vision. As the preferred handset brand for
connected mobile music, we allow our users to experience music on the go; at
the same time, we empower our operator customers to monetize their music
relationships”.
Andrew Fisher, CEO of Shazam said: ‘‘we are delighted to be extending our
relationship with Motorola, who are the leading handset provider in the Latin
American market. Our collaboration will set the bar for mobile music recognition,
reinforcing Motorola’s and Shazam joint commitment to lead the development of
mobile music offerings which will significantly enhance consumer’s ability to
discover and purchase music in the most convenient and efficient way
possible.’’
The MotoID application, which Motorola will soon start to preload into specific
handset models for Latin America, will benefit users by providing relevant
songs information and by giving the option to purchase and download relevant
content such as the song’s ringtone, screensaver or wallpaper. The end user
need only to pay for the data charges associated with use of the phone’s WAP
browser, and of course any content they choose to purchase.
How does MotoID work?
If the user would like to obtain information of a song that is being played in
the disco, in the car, on the radio, on the TV or anywhere, he or she must
click the MotoID Java™ or BREW® application (depending on the mobile phone and
operator) from their Motorola handset, then hold the handset close to the music
source and press the “Identify song” key, and in a few seconds, the mobile
phone will receive the name of the song, the artist and the album. Then if
available, user will also have the option to download the song’s ringtone,
screensaver or wallpaper. Motorola offers this service in an agreement with
Shazam, a leader in audio identification technology.
With MotoID, Motorola continues its leadership in mobile
music trends and its development of solutions that simplify and improve users’
experiences. Network dependent feature, not available in all areas. MotoID’s
capabilities are only limited by the number of songs in its database, currently
3,200,000. Content is subject to availability, which varies by market and/or
carrier, and is sold separately.
Certain mobile phone features may not be available
throughout the entire network or their functionality may be limited. All
features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change
without notice or obligation.
About Shazam Entertainment
Shazam Entertainment boasts a world’s first in music recognition technology.
The company’s core strength is audio recognition, based on a technology
invented and developed exclusively by Shazam.
Since the company’s UK launch in August 2002, the service
allows music fans to use their mobile phone to identify any track using just
their handset. More than 5 million people have used the Shazam service to date.
Shazam has established a global footprint and has achieved multiple deals with
mobile operators and media companies in over twenty countries throughout the
US, Europe and Asia.
Shazam’s successes have been recognised through several
awards, including: Top 100 Red Herring Award 2005, Best Use of Mobile award at
the Imperatives, Best New Mobile Service at the Mobile Choice Awards, Best
Innovation at the BT Openworld Interactive Music Awards, Web Innovation of the
Year at the Future UK Internet Awards, Best start-up at the Revolution Awards,
an Ericsson Mobile Application Award, and the Media Week Response Campaign of
the Year.
Investors in the company include Acacia Capital Partners (which operates a $100M investment fund within Europe and was formerly known as IDG Ventures Europe), DN Capital (a leading pan-European venture capital firm with a focus on software and IT companies in the United Kingdom, France, the Nordics and Germany).
Source: Motorola press release
