Have you heard of Google Ears? It's a song-recognition app that you can install right now
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Google Ears is a Shazam- or SoundHound-like service, which analyzes the music coming from your surroundings and tells you the artist and name of the song, as well as some other info about it. Among other things, it also let's you buy the song quickly, if it's available on the Google Play Store. So, in case Shazam or SoundHound don't cut it for you anymore, feel free to read our guide on how to get Google Ears on your Android phone or tablet right away...
1. As with most such guides, you'll first have to begin by downloading the necessary stuff, which includes the Google Ears app apk and a file browser like ES File Explorer.
2. Once you've downloaded the Google Ears apk, you need to copy it over to your device's internal storage, in case you didn't download it with your phone.
3. Do check that you have the allowed the installation of apps from unknown sources. This option is usually in Settings -> Applications, or Settings -> Security.
4. Install the application by navigating to its location using the file explorer and launching the .apk file.
5. The only thing left to do now is to restart your device. Once it boots up, your Google Ears will be ready to go.
6. To make things really convenient, you can place your new Google Sound Search widget on your homescreen for faster access to the service.
Don't forget to share your thoughts about this Shazam/SoundHound rival here after you give it a try!
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25 Comments
2. loken posted on 10 Aug 2012, 07:03 1 1
Yep have used google ears. by adding a random widget i didnt know... works better than track id cause it can recognise soundtracks
15. Pings posted on 10 Aug 2012, 13:28 0 0
I seen the Widget in JB just didn't know what I was called. I use soundhound though.
3. CharlieAtInfinity posted on 10 Aug 2012, 07:05 2 1
I use Track ID... is it any better than Track ID? if yes then ill install!!
10. Aaron_R96 posted on 10 Aug 2012, 08:36 5 2
No its no better in my opinion, just tried this and it recognised about 3 out of 10 (all of which track ID recognised) thats probably why this isnt ready yet :/
12. jamrockjones posted on 10 Aug 2012, 10:01 4 1
Yeah but I could see some really cool integration with future Android versions and Google Now. Your waling down the street and all of the sudden you hear a song... and you like "Google Now... what song it this?" And then it tells you. That would be amazing!
4. maxkobi posted on 10 Aug 2012, 07:33 2 1
I use sound hound personally and have loved it for a long time. I will say though that Soundhoud is obviously more advanced and has a better library to recognize from. I have tested both apps and Soundhoud always seems to come out on top. thats just my 2 cents but if your cheap (its ok i understand) then google ears should suffice just fine and you will have to do some lyric searches on a few songs to "catch them all" ;)
5. wgaurav posted on 10 Aug 2012, 07:37 0 1
Its good at recognition but it does not store history of songs. Also some how if you try to buy music from google play after song recognition its always $1.29. PLease let me know if everyone has similar experience. I like the widget though.
8. u-suck-more posted on 10 Aug 2012, 08:15 1 1
i use Shazam~ and im happy with it :) we'll see how Google Ears works once it officially hits the Play Store~
13. -box- posted on 10 Aug 2012, 10:37 0 2
Good to see Google getting this as part of their own services. Shazam has been a bit annoying lately with all the commercials that want you to shazam it to get more info... A QR code or search term would work much better and faster, IMHO. That said, Bing has had this a while for the Windows Phone (music purchase and all), so it's kind of weird that Google, of all companies, is playing catch-up on this. Better late than never
16. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Aug 2012, 13:30 0 0
i just flashed the Transparent one since the default black one stood out too much on my neutral homescreen. it works really well. it replaced my Equalizer spot. o:
18. ChafedBanana posted on 10 Aug 2012, 15:11 0 0
It's a stock 4.1 Jelly Bean widget and it works unbelievably well on my Galaxy Nexus.
21. BattleBrat posted on 10 Aug 2012, 15:34 1 0
I dunno, soundhound has been very good to me, I have shazam as well, but soundhound is faster.
23. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Aug 2012, 17:00 0 0
i actually used it today in Hot Topic. it's a lot faster than opening Shazam. ;D
24. andrews317 posted on 10 Aug 2012, 22:07 0 0
I used soundhound before, but this one´s WAY faster.
25. sgogeta4 posted on 11 Aug 2012, 15:41 0 0
Will be trying this out soon. So far I prefer SoundHound (Infinity) over Shazam (Encore), but I hear recognition can depend on what genres you listen to. Yes, I purchased both apps and have compared 100s of songs with each.
