Spotify’s powerful algorithm makes finding music you like a breeze. But what if it could recommend music based on how you sound?
That’s the idea suggested in a patent recently received by Spotify (reported by Pitchfork), die outlines possible applications for this type of technology. The patent details a concept for using audio signals – your voice, background noise and even your accent – to figure out what to play. One factor that could inform the streaming maintenance what to play can be a speaker’s “emotional state,” while others can try to determine your gender and age based on your voice.
The authors of the patent explain the collection of ambient audio data and how it can be used to identify where you are – indoors, outdoors, on the train, at a party, etc. – and possibly how many people you share the space with. .
“In one aspect, for example, the environmental metadata indicates aspects of a physical environment into which the audio signal is input,” states the patent. “In one example, the environmental metadata indicates a number of people in the environment in which the audio signal is being input. In another example, the environmental metadata can indicate a location or noise level. “
Sure, it’s creepy. But similar technologies already exists and have for years now. Still, it’s an interesting application for a service that competes directly with data overlords like Apple and Amazon, both of which have their own respective music services. Of course, Spotify tries to suck up as much data as it can get its hands on. How else is it going to perfect its algorithm and make you stick to its service forever? (Keep in mind, however, that just because the patent exists for a technology doesn’t necessarily mean it will ever be officially rolled out.)
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Spotify did not immediately respond to 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 that we regularly file new applications. Some of these patents will become part of future products, some will not. Our ambition is to create the best audio experience available, but we have no news to share at this time. “