YouTube Music has introduced a music recognition feature that allows users to identify tracks by humming on the Android and iOS app.
The feature, first teased last year and available on Google since 2020, is now fully released and allows users to tap the magnifying glass in the corner of the app, hum the tune they have in their head into the app, which returns results based on the probability of a match. They can then click to listen to the full song on YouTube Music. If they know the lyrics, users can also sing the song or play it on an instrument. The feature builds on technology Google previously released through a product called MusicLM, which allowed users to generate music from text prompts or humming.
YouTube Music is also experimenting with more AI and music recognition tools, including a new feature for US premium subscribers that lets them create custom radio stations by verbally describing the type of music they want to listen to.
The new Hum, Sing, and Play feature is currently only available on iOS and Android, but YouTube says it will be rolling out to all users soon.
Earlier this month (July), it was reported that YouTube was in talks with several major record labels about an AI music licensing deal that could offer one-off payments in exchange for access to songs.
Last year, YouTube launched an experimental new AI feature called Dream Track. Powered by a new model called Lyria, the new platform allows select users to create songs using AI voice clones of famous artists.