Whether you want to kick back to your favourite tunes or write the next symphony, there’s an app for the music lover in all of us.
By Heather Camlot
Whether you want to kick back to your favourite tunes or write the next symphony, there’s an app for the music lover in all of us.
Internet Radio
Returning to work after an amazing weekend can be pretty stressful. Grab a seat on the subway, tune into Rdio (for Android, Apple, Windows Phone, BlackBerry) or Slacker (same platforms plus Nokia and Windows Mobile), select the style of music that soothes your soul – if that’s heavy metal, well, we won’t judge you – and say a few oms to beat the Monday morning blues. Both free.
Melody Maker
Playing air guitar is just embarrassing, plus your awesomely composed, all-time greatest hit disappears into the ether. Take your musical genius to the virtual realm and thrash away on the drums, guitar, keyboard or bass available on GarageBand. Then add extra tracks with the “smart” features, tweak your tune in edit mode, and share your hit song on Facebook, YouTube and more. A star is born. Apple only, $5.
Music Recognition
Imagine sitting in a cafe, perhaps working on your iPad and bopping your head to – hey, what is that song, it’s pretty good. With SoundHound (Apple, Android, Nokia, Windows Phone) or Shazam (Apple, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile) on your mobile, simply point the device to the sound source to discover the name of the song, the lyrics, and where to buy, right there and then. Sweet. Soundhound, $7; Shazam, free.
Global Beat
Have a thing for German pop music? Perhaps Brazilian soccer? With TuneIn Radio, you can turn your mobile into a global boombox. Browse the seemingly endless options by location or by genre (music, sports, talk), or search for your favourite artists, stations or shows to discover the world at your fingertips. Apple, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Free.
Images: GarageBand, iTunes.ca
First published April 23, 2012, on WorkLivePlayCafe.com.
Heather Camlot 