Spotify’s powerful algorithm makes it easy to find the music you like. But what if you could recommend songs based on how you sound?
This is the idea proposed in a patent that Spotify was granted recently (reported by Pitchfork), which describes the potential uses for this type of technology. Patent details a concept for using audio signals – your voice, background sounds and even your accent – to find out what to play for you. One factor that could inform streaming service what to play next it can be a speaker’s “emotional state,” while others may try to determine their gender and age based on their voice.
Explaining their collection of environmental audio data, the patent authors describe how it can be used to identify where you are located – inside, outside, on the train, at a party, etc. – and potentially how many people you’re sharing the space with.
“For example, in one aspect, environmental metadata indicates aspects of a physical environment in which the audio signal is inserted,” says the patent. “In one example, environmental metadata indicates a number of people in the environment in which the audio signal is inserted. In another example, environmental metadata can indicate a location or noise level. “
Of course, it’s scary as hell. But similar technologies already exists and has to years now. Still, it’s an interesting app for a service that competes directly with data overlords like Apple and Amazon, which have their own music services. Of course, Spotify is trying to aspirate as much data as possible. How else will it improve its algorithm and keep it connected to your service forever? (However, keep in mind that just because a patent exists for a technology does not necessarily mean that it will 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 “filed for 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 the moment. “