AppleInsider Staff
Facebook on Wednesday launched a new, optional feature that allows its iPhone application to use the device's microphone to listen for and identify television and music content when posting a status update.
The new feature will make it easier for users to say that they are watching a particular show or listening to a certain song, then share that information with their friends. Upon updating the Facebook app, users are presented with an explanation as to how the feature works, and are given the option to turn it on.
To utilize the new listening option, users can begin to create a status update, then click the "mood" icon. The app will then begin listening to identify any content playing, and users can then select the song or TV show to quickly share it with their friend.
If a user decides to turn off the feature, they can do so by tapping the audio icon at the top right of the screen. But if the functionality is left on, the audio icon will move and attempt to detect a match when a user is writing their status update.
Facebook says that none of the sound data is saved, and users are given the choice whether to share with their friends once content is identified.
The update will also allow friends to hear a 30-second preview of a song once it has been posted to Facebook, while television matches will detail the specific season and episode being viewed.
Such capabilities have been present in iOS applications for years, but Wednesday's update marks the first time that Facebook has entered the fray. One of the most well known sound identification applications is Shazam, which Apple is rumored to be partnering with for a new Siri "Song ID" feature in iOS 8.
Chip Loder
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew Orr
31 Comments
While optional, one more intrusion into our privacy. And I find it hard to believe that they won't save this data and create a rating service out of it, since Facebook's sample sizes will be far larger than anything Nielson does. So one more way for Facebook to make money out of privacy intrusion. But most people who use Facebook probably won't care. People are frequently post every trivial aspect of their lives and don't mind tell us where they are at any given moment aren't going to care if Facebook reports what TV show they're watching.
Yes. Please opt into our 'feature' that Really Really wants to know Exactly what your 'status' is. Creepy.
Facebook can't even develop a stable app that makes sense and is aesthetically pleasing. Why would I now want to add a feature that's listening to me?
This is creepy
how about making it easy for me to view my feed chronologically ("Most Recent"), ala a preference? you know, a feature people actually want?