Tech Transformers

Name that tune: Shazam to bring app to wearables

Music identification app Shazam is set to release a version of its service for wearable devices and cars this year, the company's CEO told CNBC.

The company, which recently raised $30 million valuing it at $1 billion, has been branching out from its core music identification service to become more of a marketing platform.

Wearables will "get scale" in 2015, Shazam CEO Rich Riley said, and the company is going to release an app focused around those devices.

"We generally are following the operating systems. Where iOS and Android go is a logical place for Shazam to go - whether that is on wrists, cars or TVs," Riley, told CNBC at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Inside the Shazam Entertainment Ltd. headquarters in London.
Simon Dawson | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Riley said that while the focus will be on smartwatches but he would "love" to see the operating system in cars. Connected cars has been a hot topic with speculation that Apple is developing one and Google having already tested a driverless car. Both Apple and Google have operating systems designed for cars called CarPlay and Android Auto, respectively.

"Generally for Shazam, the more devices that can run iOS and Android the more places for Shazam to go," Riley said, talking about the upcoming Apple Watch and why the company would focus on wearables in 2015.

Shazam identifies songs for users who can then choose to listen to it on Spotify, or purchase the track online. The company has also turned its focus to advertising, where users can use the app to identify particular television adverts and receive content related to the product.

The company recently introduced a feature that lets users scan a printed item, such as DVD box, and receive content such as promotions or trailers. Riley said the company is looking to expand this to items such as drink cans, cars, and recipes.

But adjusting the app to fit the smaller and lower resolution screens on wearables will be a challenge for Shazam. Riley was not able to give further detail about the plans, but said the company would likely focus the wearable app around one or two key features.

"We would have to have less functionality on the watch than the phone so what are the couple things users would want to see? To trigger an actual song identification for sure. But then do they want to purchase the song? See the lyrics? See the video?," Riley said.