Still listening to your college favorites? They're no better than today's hits – you're just in a musical rut. These apps will help you break out of it.
SoundHound ∞
Shazam has nearly owned the market for identifying music, but SoundHound just might be a more powerful tool. It can recognize songs not only from their original recordings but also from rough approximations, like you humming into the phones.
WIRED Provides lyrics for songs in your library. Can see past your off-key singing.
TIRED Pretty good at identifying a tune if you're humming the chorus or hook, but it can struggle with less distinctive passages.
$6.99 ioses | $5.99 androids | SoundHound ∞
Pandora Radio
Instead of cycling through the same old playlists on your mobiles device, let Pandora turn your favorite tracks into a jumping-off point for musical discovery. Pick a song or artist and the app will create a smart radio station that matches your tastes. The more you use it, the smarter it gets.
WIRED Nearly a million songs classified by music experts according to 450 attributes.
TIRED Often sounds like the same few dozen songs per genre.
Free ioses | Free androids | Pandora Radio
Rdio
Rdio is an on-demand cloud-based jukebox. Search for an artist, album, or song from the service's 18-million-track library and start listening immediately. Or, if you feel like exploring, hook up with Facebook and Twitter friends and see what they're listening to or swap playlists.
WIRED Sounds good – though not great – over 3G. Discovery tools on Rdio website are available in-app.
TIRED Crashy. $5 a month for browser-based listening, but twice that to add mobiles access.
$9.99/month ioses | $9.99/month androids | Rdio
Spotify Premium
No more buying music – that's the goal with Spotify. Instead, stream your favorite tunes right to your phones or swap playlists with friends. If you find other artists you like and want to explore their genre, you can build a radio station based on them. Just be aware that streaming really taxes your phones's battery and data plan.
WIRED Music anywhere. Syncs with desktop app.
TIRED Interface could be more intuitive. Search tool needs improving.
$9.99/month ioses | $9.99 androids/month | $9.99 WP/month | Spotify Premium
Shazam Encore
The app that first made smartphoness seem magical has gotten both simpler and more robust, while continuing to deliver geotagging and Facebook integration. With one massive button at the center of the home screen, it's still the easiest way to answer the question, "What's that song?"
WIRED Instant tagging and results. iTunes button for impulse music buys.
TIRED Struggles with nonsource material (like your humming).
$6.99 ioses | $5.99 androids | $5.99 WP | Shazam Encore
