Filed under: iPhone
Shazam offers paid app, downscales free version
VentureBeat reports that Shazam [iTunes Link], an app that's long been a favorite among several TUAW staffers, is now offering a paid version. The $5 Shazam Encore (link opens iTunes) offers faster, unlimited tagging of music. A new mode designed for your car will tag whatever music is playing over the radio if you have your iPhone or iPod Touch hooked up to a car adapter. There are also recommendations based off existing tags, the ability to search Shazam's database, and more.This new feature set does come at a cost to new users of the Shazam free app. New users can now only tag five pieces of music per month. The VentureBeat article adds that existing users of the free app can still tag with no limits.
[Via Macworld]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jordan said 6:35PM on 11-09-2009
What if existing users update the app, will they still be able to do unlimited tagging?
If not, this looks to be yet another app I won't be updating ever again
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rg said 8:42PM on 11-09-2009
RTFA!
"The VentureBeat article adds that existing users of the free app can still tag with no limits."
Jordan said 8:51PM on 11-09-2009
No shit sherlock. What I mean is, obviously there is going to be an update. If I update, will this take away the unlimited tagging or are they refering to the old version.
Is the app store able to diferentiate between an exisiting user and a new one when it comes to updates?
iGO said 7:46PM on 11-10-2009
OK. Here are my facts.
I've had the free Shazam since the very day it was released and well pre my iPhone 3GS.
I just updated to the latest Free version, v1.8.0, the one that is OS 3.0 tested.
I just tagged over 20 entries, without failure or restrictions or limits. I even shut down the app and restarted. It kept tagging.
It continues to have ads. And it does offers me to upgrade to the Encore version.
The bottom line. If you owned it previously as free, my tests show it continues to work as it always has, WITHOUT limitations.
Hobbes said 6:56PM on 11-09-2009
I for one don't mind paying for the app. I don't think helping the developers to improve the app a bad use of 5 bucks. I thought the functionality we were getting for free was amazing. I always donate to free software as well when I find the application useful. I don't believe people should work for free, especially when it's such a useful and well done job.
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Gazoobee said 7:01PM on 11-09-2009
What a shallow, disgusting money grubbing move.
I bet the "free" one is still ad supported, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 5 dollar one has ads too. The whole app is itself just an advertisement for the music industry, there is no reason to have to pay for this at all given the boost it gives to music sales.
Almost all the brilliant apps that started the app store off have now managed to turn themselves into crap-fests, Shazam included.
Greed rules I suppose.
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q00p said 9:56AM on 11-10-2009
Yes, BOTH are actually displaying ads. Brilliant! Ads in a paid app...
Shankopotamus said 7:16PM on 11-09-2009
Amen, @Gazoobee. This is really disappointing. No way on God’s green earth am I giving them five bucks for that app. It’s a fun novelty, but no way is it worth it. They took the opportunity to develop a positive experience and excited fanboy base, and totally squandered it. Shame on them.
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pardthemonster said 7:17PM on 11-09-2009
The paid version does have ads through Google. Unbelievable!!!
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CHRiS said 7:31PM on 11-09-2009
Hey complainers, at least you have the iPhone and the APPLE App store; if you were on a typical Verizon phone you'd be paying $3.99 a MONTH for this (oh yeah and $2.99 a MONTH for the "free" eBay app too - among many others. So consider yourself privileged.
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Evan said 7:41PM on 11-09-2009
I don't mind paying. I always thought they should charge for this. I use it a lot. I'd rather pay $5 for this and use it than the 50 apps I paid $.99 and don't use. You people are cry babies. Boo hoo!
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Mobile Phone Diva said 7:53PM on 11-09-2009
A paid app with ads??? NO THANKS!!! I will not be updating.
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Rudy said 8:29PM on 11-09-2009
wow they had a good thing going for them and they completely ruined it.
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RotaryDial said 8:39PM on 11-09-2009
I've always been a fan of Midomi. And I just checked the app store for it... when did it become a paid app? I remember getting mine for free when it released.
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Avinash said 9:04PM on 11-09-2009
It was free, but it become paid. Luckily, I think if you got the app when it was free, you can get the paid one for free as well (it'll say you already bought it).
RotaryDial said 9:46PM on 11-09-2009
Indeed. I've been updating without a hitch.
Hobbes said 8:55PM on 11-09-2009
What a buch of losers! Honestly, why do you think you have the right to benefit from other people's work for free???? I don't get that. Don't you have a job that pays for your work? It's the same principle.
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q00p said 10:02AM on 11-10-2009
10 No, we don't.
20 What we do expect is the when we pay for an app we won't be served ads as well.
30 If "do not comprehend" then goto 10
Francisco said 9:44PM on 11-09-2009
Just checked and if you update, you only get to check 5 songs a month...
Not updating it then (glad I double checked though)
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mark said 9:25PM on 11-10-2009
Not true.
http://www.shazam.com/music/html/iphone/faq.html#aa