Shazam gains auto-listening feature, WhatsApp and Pinterest integration and more

Auto Shazam

The increasingly popular music discovery and fingerprinting service Shazam has just refreshed its free iPhone and iPad application with a new Auto Shazam feature that basically listens for songs and television shows in the background and tags them automatically, even if the device is locked, courtesy of new iOS 7 technologies. You can now share your Shazam Tags with people on WhatsApp, pin them to your Pinterest boards and send them to others via the iOS Messages platform.

Jump past the fold for more on Auto Shazam…

I use Shazam whenever a song playing on the radio needs matching.

The application basically records a short snippet, a fingerprint of sorts, and matches it against its vast online database to recognize what’s playing.

Previously, you would need to fire up the app and hit the huge Shazam button to start the matching process. With the new Auto Shazam feature, the application can listen to songs, live events and television shows in the background, even if Shazam isn’t running or your device is locked.

Shazam 7.3 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 001)Shazam 7.3 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 002)

“A night at the bar could leave you with a full playlist,” Engadget wrote commenting on Auto Shazam.

Of course, constant network polling and background recording (indicated by the red status bar) is bad for your battery so you’d want to use the always-listening feature only when appropriate. To enable Auto Shazam, tap the new Auto button in the upper right.

Your auto-matched content is accessible through a separate list available by tapping the Tags option at the bottom of the screen and then hitting the Auto button.

Shazam 7.3 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 004)Shazam 7.3 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 003)

Previous Shazam updates have added Rdio integration, a new music-discovery feature, the ability to buy multiple songs through iTunes, revamped newsfeed-style interface and other goodies.

Also, song previews that your Shazam’d will now play right in Twitter via Shazam’s Twitter Card.

Here’s Shazam 7.3 changelog:

New for iPhone and iPod touch:

  • Auto Shazam does the hard work for you by continuously recognizing popular music and TV around you. Flip the switch on the Shazam home screen to turn on Auto Shazam, and automatically recognize while you commute or watch a movie, even if you leave the Shazam app or lock your phone.

New for all users:

  • Share Shazam Tags with friends on WhatsApp
  • Pin Shazam tags to your favourite Pinterest boards
  • Share Shazam Tags using iOS Messages

Fixes:
The app will not ask to use your location again if you have previously said no

Shazam is available free in the App Store.

Should you need full track playback with Spotify and an ad-free experience, grab Shazam Encore, a $6.99 download or upgrade to lifetime Shazam Encore using in-app purchase in the free Shazam app.

Both apps require iOS 6 or later.