Automatic Birdsong Identifier App, ChirpOMatic, Coming to the USA
(PRWEB) November 17, 2015 -- ChirpOMatic is an iOS app that automatically identifies birds by their songs and calls, a Shazam®-style app for birds. Launched in Europe earlier this year, it has been very successful, achieving top App Store chart positions.
iSpiny have now launched a fundraising campaign through the crowdfunding website, Kickstarter, to develop the app for the United States. They are initially planning two versions, one for the East Coast and one for the West Coast, and they are aiming for a springtime release. The app will identify the 60-70 most common birds in each region.
There is currently no app available in the United States with the features found in ChirpOMatic.
Dr Hilary Lind from iSpiny explains, “We are confident that if the Kickstarter is successful, we can get the app finished in time for the spring birding season. ChirpOMatic is an extension of our very popular 'Chirp! USA' app, so we already have much of the information we need - the descriptions of the bird sounds and sound clips for comparison – and the technology underpinning the app has been tried and tested in Europe”.
Spring is an important time for bird apps, as this is when birds are at their most vocal, competing for a mate and defending their territory.
ChirpOMatic includes a special feature that sets it apart from all other birdsong apps. The American Birding Association warns against playing bird sounds near nesting birds or rare birds, as it stresses and disturbs them. ChirpOMatic is the only bird sound app that is safe to use anywhere, because it can be used in Bird-safe Mode. When Bird-safe Mode is on, the user holds the phone to their ear as though making a phone call in order to hear the sounds. “The sound only starts to play when the phone detects that it is close to the ear” says Dr Lind. “This has another advantage - when birds are singing all around, it helps to hold the phone to your ear.”
ChirpOMatic is aimed at families and novice birders and has been designed to be as easy to use as possible. On hearing a bird, the user opens the app and taps the record button. The app analyses the sound and shows the top matches, along with comparison sounds and a short description so that the user can be sure it is correct. All the analysis takes place on the device, so it can be used anywhere, even while hiking on the wildest of wilderness trails.
After using the app, users have the option to send their recordings to iSpiny, who will use them to improve the bird sound analyser. The best recordings will then be made available to scientists researching bird distribution, migration, daily routine and much more.
The Kickstarter will be live from Monday 16 November. Check it out to see the app in action, and if you want to be using it in spring, then you might consider donating.
Kickstarter link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983375457/1672006178?token=7b7648e3
NB Shazam® is the registered trademark of Shazam Entertainment Limited and is not affiliated with iSpiny or Spiny Software in any way.
Hilary Lind, iSpiny, http://www.chirpomatic.com, +44 7773003684, [email protected]
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