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HMV HAS LAUNCHED a new app that enables people to download tracks to their phone – and search for them using album covers.
The free app comes months after the company was taken over by Hilco after going into administration in January.
It enables people to identify a song they are listening to and then buy it, much like the app Shazam and similar apps.
But in an interesting twist, you can also use HMV image search to download an album, just by scanning its cover.
So far, the HMV music app is only available on iTunes and Android in the UK, but it is believed it is planned to make it available in Ireland soon.
The music retail chain re-opened its Oxford Street store in September.
It re-opened its first store on Henry St in Dublin in September, which was followed by the reopening of three other HMV stores.
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Shows that HMV is moving into the 21st century. Great idea. Hope it helps keep them in business and jobs safe.
Maybe if they had done something like that a few years ago they would be in a better position now. Good to see them finally catching up.
E-commerce at its finest
The HMV basement in Henry Street used to have a surprisingly great selection of obscure electro stuff!!!
While Liffey valleys store right now is very badly stocked. Bugger all in it really.
What a terrible gimmick who on earth would use that function to buy an album…
I agree Daniel, you go into the store scan the album cover you want and then buy it online… Lol
sure they might as well not open and just put the album artwork on their windows, that idea defeats the purpose of an actual store. if its choice, i don’t get it, you don’t go to a store to download albums :/
in 10 years time, we’ll look back at the many thousands of failed apps.
“It enables people to identify a song they are listening to and then buy it, much like the app Shazam and similar apps.” yea much like such an app of many 100s.
an over saturated market thats growing. some good apps, too many sheep though, back to the drawing board and come up with a unique idea, then lock it down as original, wasting tech investment a lot of these start ups. all desperate to be the next facebook god. takes a good idea that works, concept is king.
They’re opening up in Clonmel soon. Love a bitta HMV!
Eh guys this is not new I had this on my phone last year ,It’s a good app and all the better if you can buy direct from it
its not new, thats the problem! too many sheep but sure hey let them fire off. these entrepreneurs sure know their market research :/ back to school i think. besides that, most people don’t have time and will go with the most successful original product if its something similar. i mean who can be bothered to know what other people are listening to around your location?
ah heres another app idea (i’ve just thought of): this app will tell you what albums were just sold in this store before you walked in the shop” yawn!
people today search for the things they ‘want’, they ‘need’ not what you think they ‘need’ not force fed. how many times have you bought an album based on ‘previous buyers of this album also bought this’ ? none, cos we all know its a gimmick, refresh your browser and it will change and change and change! we’re more savvy now, we’ve less money, we’re more wise than sad gimmicks trying to fool us.
HA! i speak the truth, nobody wants generic apps, listen to people rather than try to be wannabes watching the download clock on iTunes ain’t going to make you rich, good ideas will. It’s like music now, too many bands, everyone has access to audio gear, computer software, do it yourself but only so many succeed. an over saturated state of mess. wouldn’t it be great to make an app, sit back and let the money roll in. trouble is, millions are thinking the same as you and joining the sheep, its an easy thought, get it to work etc but not so easy to come up with an original idea.
Spotify
fair play to yas given something for free for a change good on yas
It is not available in Ireland so why launch it with a big press release until it works ?. Why would I want to go to a store, scan the cover of an album, order it and have the money to pay gor it gone from my account by the time I get home when I can use “Simple Mp3″ app and download for free ? They need to go back to basics and get artists to do live appearances/signings in their stores. Miley Cyrus would be a start.
For example, you’re in your friends car, he puts a cd on. You like the cd, he has the cover, scan and baddabing, you now have album or songs or whatever. Maybe not a new idea but a good idea and this might help hmv to stay profitable. Everyone wins.
Xtravision would seriously need to get with the times and do something like this.
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