Baidu-I 2 R Research Centre Launches Singapore-developed Music Search Technology

Transcription

1 Media Release For Immediate Release Total: 5 pages Baidu-I 2 R Research Centre Launches Singapore-developed Music Search Technology Singapore-developed music search technology provides new experiences to mobile device users to access several million music items in Baidu online music database 1. Singapore 9 September 2013 Ever had one of those moments when you hear a song but can t recall the artiste or the name of the song? Researchers at the Baidu-I 2 R Research Centre (BIRC) have developed a music search technology using query-by-example music search to help users obtain song information from just a sound clip. 2. BIRC is a joint laboratory between A*STAR s Institute for Infocomm Research (I 2 R) and Baidu, China s leading Internet search engine provider. BIRC was formed in July 2012 and within a short span of six months, BIRC enhanced and embedded I 2 R speaker verification technology into the Lenovo A586, the world s first voiceprint smartphone to enable users to unlock their devices using their voice. 3. Following the successful launch of the smartphone in December 2012, BIRC s Thai language processing technologies facilitated the quick release of Baidu Thai-English online translation in March 2013, which shows much better performance than similar products in the market. 4. Building on the string of successes, BIRC has launched yet another innovative product for smart mobile device users in May Launched this year, the Baidu Music Search technology, 听歌识曲 ting ge shi qu, which literally translates to hear a tune and know the song is embedded within the Baidu Music App that has been downloaded over half a million times on both Google Play Store and itunes (China). It identifies music playing over the air by its unique music fingerprint made up of its audio waveform and returns the song title, the name of the artiste, and the album art within seconds. Users can also share song information with their friends through various social networking platforms. (Please see Annex A for more of the app interface.) Page 1 of 5

2 5. Tapping on several million music items with copyrights from Baidu Music database which synchronizes with 17 music lists, including Billboard Hits, the UK Chart and accessed by tens of millions of music lovers worldwide daily, Baidu Music App shows 99% accuracy through continuous technology advancements and optimisations. The Baidu Music App returns results with at least 10% higher accuracy when searching for songs falling outside the regular charts in China for both normal and acoustically challenging environments. 6. We are delighted to see BIRC continue to bear fruit. Multimedia search is a key area of our joint laboratory s research, and we are confident that this latest technology will greatly enhance the experience for music fans when they use Baidu Music, said Wang Haifeng, Chief Scientist (Basic Technologies), Baidu. 7. I am very pleased that our joint collaboration with Baidu has resulted in Baidu incorporating a music search functionality into their highly successful Baidu Music App which can be downloaded freely from the Google Play Store. This demonstrates BIRC s ability to deliver cutting-edge technologies that benefit the industry and I hope to see them continue to launch more products that will create an impact in the market. said Dr. Tan Geok Leng, Executive Director of Institute for Infocomm Research (I 2 R). -End- For more information, please contact: Ms. Doris Yang Institute for Infocomm Research DID: (65) yangscd@scei.a-star.edu.sg Mr. Kaiser Kuo Director, International Communications, Baidu DID: (86-10) kaiser.kuo@baidu.com Page 2 of 5

3 About Institute for Infocomm Research (I 2 R) Singapore s largest ICT research institute, I 2 R (pronounced as i-squared-r) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) family. Established in 2002, our vision is to power a vibrant and strong infocomm ecosystem in Singapore. I 2 R focuses on conducting mission oriented research to address key challenges faced locally. At I 2 R, intelligence, communications and media (ICM) form our 3 strategic thrusts. Our research capabilities are in information technology, wireless and optical communication networks, interactive and digital media, sensors, signal processing and computing. We perform R&D in ICM technologies to develop holistic solutions across the ICM value chain and we believe that the greatest impact is created when research outcomes are translated into technologies our partners can readily deploy at a competitive advantage. For more information about I 2 R, please visit About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering worldclass scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity. A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners. For more information about A*STAR, please visit About Baidu Baidu, Inc. is the leading Chinese language Internet search provider. As a technology-based media company, Baidu aims to provide the best and most equitable way for people to find what they re looking for online. In addition to serving individual Internet search users, Baidu provides an effective platform for businesses to reach potential customers. Baidu's ADSs currently trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BIDU". Each of Baidu's Class A ordinary shares is represented by 10 ADSs. Page 3 of 5

4 Annex A Interface Images of the Baidu Music Search function 1) Download Baidu Music App from Google Play Store and itunes (China) 2) Searching for song information Tap here to start searching for song information Page 4 of 5

5 3) Song information appears within seconds Album image Song Title and Singer Play, Set as Favourite, Download, Share with friends Search for more songs Page 5 of 5