Blackberry Mobility Featured Article

Shazam (News - Alert), a vendor of mobile music discovery, has announced the availability of its (RED) Special Edition App on the App Store.

 

New iPhone (News - Alert) and iPod touch users who download the app, or existing users who upgrade, will have access to music discovery features on the recently-launched Shazam Encore along with updated content related to (RED).

 

And you can feel like you’re doing something good, too: “For each app purchased 20 percent of the price is contributed to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,” company officials say, adding that (RED) funds “are directed to HIV and AIDS programs in Africa.”

 

The app itself will include the same enhanced feature set, newly redesigned look and user interface as the recently launched Shazam Encore App. Users get song tagging, music recommendations, access to Shazam music charts and the ability to search music by artists, album or track.

 

While driving, users can dock their iPhone or iPod touch to enter car mode and still discover whatever song is playing on the radio.

“(RED) enables consumers to positively impact the lives of those living with AIDS in Africa through their purchases of products,” says Andrew Fisher, CEO of Shazam, who said that given “that we already have more than 10 million iPhone and iPod touch users around the world,” this is “a way to create real change in the world.”

“In the three years since (RED) launched, our partners and events have generated $140 million for the Global Fund, 100,” says Seb Bishop, CEO EMEA, (RED). “Music is core to our brand, and (RED) will be another great way for music fans to make a real impact on the lives of those living with HIV in Africa.”

Shazam is the first mobile app developer to link up with (RED), and joins other brands such as American Express (News - Alert), Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark and Starbucks.

Like Shazam Encore, the app will initially launch in eight languages across twenty-two global markets and is available for £2.99/ €3.99/ $4.99, depending on location, from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch.

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become a financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of $15.6 billion for programs in 140 countries.

 

In February TMC‘s Michelle Robart reported that Shazam revealed it had embedded its technology in the Samsung (News - Alert) BeatDJ and BeatDISC, which were unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.