Spotify’s powerful algorithm makes finding music fun. But what if they could recommend music based on your sound?
This is the idea proposed in a recently granted Spotify patent (reported of Pitchfork), which presents the potential uses for this type of technology. Patent details a concept for using audio signals – your voice, background sounds and even accent – to learn what to play for you. A factor that could inform the flow service what to play next it could be the “emotional state of a speaker,” while others might try to determine your gender and how old you are based on your voice.
Explaining the collection of environmental audio data, the authors of the patent describe how it could be used to identify where you are – indoors, outdoors, on the train, at a party, etc. – and potentially with how many people share the space.
“For example, in one aspect, the environmental metadata indicates aspects of a physical environment in which the audio signal is inserted,” the patent states. “In one example, the environmental metadata indicates a number of people in the environment where the audio signal is input. In another example, environmental metadata could indicate a location or noise level. ”
Sure, it’s creepy as hell. But similar technologies Already exists and have for years ago. However, it is an interesting application for a service that competes directly with data owners such as Apple and Amazon, both with their own music services. Of course, Spotify tries to suck in as much data as it can get its hands on. How else will he perfect his algorithm and keep you connected to his service forever? (However, keep in mind that just because there is a patent for a technology does not necessarily mean that it will ever be officially launched.)
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Spotify did not immediately return Gizmodo’s request for comment. However, the company told Pitchfork in a statement that the company “has filed patent applications for hundreds of inventions and we regularly file new applications. Some of these patents become part of future products, while others do not. Our ambition is to create the best audio experience out there, but we have no news to share at this time. ”