You’re humming along to a catchy tune in a cafe, but the name and artist escape you. Sound familiar? Just like Shazam, your Amazon Echo device, powered by Alexa, can identify songs playing around you. This convenient feature lets you discover new music and rediscover old favorites effortlessly.
Alexa’s song identification capability uses a vast music database to match audio fingerprints with known songs. Simply ask, “Alexa, what song is this?” and within seconds, she’ll announce the song title and artist. Let’s dive deeper into how Alexa stacks up against other music recognition apps.
How Alexa’s Song Identification Works
Alexa’s song identification feature is similar to other popular apps like Shazam and SoundHound. It listens to the music playing, analyzes its unique audio fingerprint, and compares it to a massive database of songs. When a match is found, Alexa provides you with the song title and artist information.
Use Alexa to identify a song
While primarily designed for use with Echo devices, Alexa’s song ID can also be triggered through the Alexa app on your smartphone. However, using the app requires manually activating the feature, unlike the always-listening nature of Echo devices.
Comparing Alexa to Shazam and Other Music Recognition Apps
While Alexa provides a seamless song identification experience within the Amazon ecosystem, how does it compare to dedicated music recognition apps like Shazam and SoundHound? Here’s a breakdown:
Alexa:
- Integration: Tightly integrated with Echo devices and the Alexa app.
- Activation: Hands-free with Echo devices; manual activation via the app.
- Additional Features: Seamlessly adds identified songs to Amazon Music playlists and allows for music purchase.
Shazam:
- Availability: Wide platform support (iOS, Android, web browsers).
- Features: Connects with Apple Music and Spotify for full song playback; offers history of identified songs; provides lyrics in some cases.
- Speed & Accuracy: Generally known for its speed and accuracy in song recognition.
Shazam identifies the song
SoundHound:
- Platform Support: Available on iOS and Android.
- Unique Features: Often recognizes humming and singing, in addition to recorded music; provides lyrics for many songs.
Siri and Google Assistant:
Both Siri (on Apple devices) and Google Assistant (on Android) offer built-in music recognition functionality, often leveraging Shazam’s technology for accurate results. They provide a quick and convenient way to identify songs using voice commands.
Use Siri to identify a song
Which Music Recognition Tool is Right for You?
The best music identification tool depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem and primarily use Echo devices, Alexa’s built-in functionality is a convenient option. However, if you need cross-platform compatibility and desire features like lyric display or integration with Spotify, Shazam or SoundHound might be better choices. For quick song identification using voice commands, Siri and Google Assistant are readily available on respective mobile platforms.
Conclusion
Alexa’s song identification capabilities are a valuable feature for music lovers using Amazon Echo devices. While not as feature-rich as dedicated music recognition apps like Shazam, Alexa provides a seamless and integrated experience within the Amazon ecosystem. With a simple voice command, you can uncover the name and artist of any song playing around you, adding it to your music library and expanding your musical horizons. Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual needs and the ecosystem you prefer.
