Now, an app to sync music from various devices

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Jul 16 2013 | 4:15 PM IST
A team of students from a UK university has developed the prototype of an app that allows an infinite number of devices to play music simultaneously.
The team from Exeter University has won a prize of 33,100 pounds to further develop the app, SoundSynk, in innovation at the Imagine Cup, a global student technology competition held in Russia.
SoundSynk connects phones and other devices through a so-called artificial mesh network, allowing them to play the same song on all devices in perfect harmony.
The team has so far tested it on 75 devices and hope the app will be available across all platforms in August, BBC News reported.
"With this technology, we can create hyper-local social networks. SoundSynk is the first practical use of this technology and we are all very excited about its future applications," said student Rob Parker.
The team, including Edward Noel, came up with the idea late on a Saturday night in February. They were playing Sweet Nothings by the DJ, Calvin Harris, on a laptop and they wanted to have it louder as they brainstormed.
"Being students we wanted to have a little rave but the volume was not sufficient," Alex Bochenski said.
"At this point we did the age-old technique of lining up all of our phones, laptops, tablets and trying to play the song at the same time," Bochenski said.
It didn't work - but it sparked the idea of the app that would eventually see them beating teams from Slovenia and Thailand in the innovation category.
"We developed a prototype of the product in 24 hours for the regionals of the Imagine Cup," Bochenski said.
Eighty-seven student teams from 71 countries competed in the worldwide finals of the Imagine cup sponsored by Microsoft.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 16 2013 | 4:15 PM IST

Next Story