Shazam: How to preserve the "unlimited tagging" feature after REFLASH and Root?

[bongster]

Hi all,

On my Nexus One, I had installed (the free version of) Shazam a while back, and it its running fine.

Since I am an old user of Shazam, I have been "grandfathered" and enjoy unlimited tagging.

I intend to RESET my phone clean and then root it.

Question -- does anybody know if Shazam will remember my "grandfathered" status and let me enjoy the unlimited tags?

I never registered with Shazam on their website, so I don't even have a registered account with Shazam.com

Thanks in advance.

 

[K-Rizzle]

I'll be watching for the same thing. I had to get a new phone from sprint because mine broke and it didn't remember any of my downloads.

 

[meyerweb]

Click on the "Blog" tap in Shazam. There's a post there that answers your questions.

It says you get free tagging fro the "life of your device." It says if you uninstalled, and then reinstall the newest version, you keep free tagging.

What's not clear is how Shazaam knows whether you downloaded before. If it's because of some data stored on your phone, then a complete wipe and reflash might remove that. OTOH, if you did a full backup first, and restore, you might be ok.

I'd suggest visiting their web site and asking them. You'll probably get a better answer from them than you will here.

 

[jdsingle]

You could always ask someone who has never downloaded it to see if they really are capping you at the (5 tags a month or day I think)? I'm assuming it has to pull some data or store something on your phone that keeps the unlimited tagging going. Anyone willing to uninstall and reinstall their unlimited tagging version to see if that works?

 

[Boodies]

hornsound is the new app, much better than Shazam.. even recognizes humming lol. and works in 4 seconds.

 

[OstrichSaK]

hornsound is the new app, much better than Shazam.. even recognizes humming lol. and works in 4 seconds.

I don't see anything by the name 'hornsound' on the market.

 

[grainysand]

SoundHound? It's limited to five tagging per month too, no?

Anyway, what I do is: I just don't update. Backup Shazam with Titanium and always restore from it.

 

[tracerit]

there has to be an APK file of the version of shazam with unlimited free tagging somewhere.

 

[xDarKnighTx]

does anyone know the answer to this yet? i've rooted and installed the OTA rom, haven't full wipe yet because I'm scared I might loose the unlimited tagging.

 

[DenverRalphy]

I could be mistaken, but I was under the impression that it's monitored by your Android Market login account.

 

[OstrichSaK]

I'm also wondering if I do a wipe and install CM6 instead of BBv0.4 if I'll lose my free Shazam. Anyone?

 

[OstrichSaK]

I could be mistaken, but I was under the impression that it's monitored by your Android Market login account.

I think I read that it's unlimited use for the life of the device... as in it's tied to the device somehow which would mean that a new device would lose it and I'm wondering if this is the case with changing ROMs... I assume so but am not 100% sure if anyone who knows for sure wants to chime in.

 

[TheCowGod]

I have switched roms a bunch of times and when i still have unlimited tagging... Its probably tied to your google account or something.

 

[OstrichSaK]

I have switched roms a bunch of times and when i still have unlimited tagging... Its probably tied to your google account or something.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[xDarKnighTx]

Thanks for the confirmation CowGod!

I did a little bit more research and found out its tied to your phone's IMEI/MEID:

Will I retain my unlimited tagging functionality if I update my application? (Android)
If you installed and ran the application on your device prior to 13/07, you will retain your unlimited functionality after upgrading your application, uninstalling/reinstalling the app or reloading your handset OS. (Your status is tied to your device's IMEI/MEID, and your the payment status page will display 'Paid' - you will not be charged, this refers to your application's 'state'). Please note that a 'Grandfathered' unlimited/free application cannot be transferred to any subsequent new handsets.

New users will be limited to 5 free tags per month after the 7 day free trial expires - for example, if all free tags were to be used on the 20th of the month, the user would have to wait until the 20th of the following month to tag again. At no point will a user be charged per tag request made. Should a new user wish to tag without limits, they can upgrade to Shazam Encore which costs

 

[chrlswltrs]

I found this out when I bought my Droid X. I bought the app anyways, even though I only tag a couple songs a month, if that much.

I have been using shazam for years since it was one of the first apps released in the apple app store back in 08. I've been happy with it and since it has always worked perfect for me I see no reason to switch to a different app even though I wish I could have kept unlimited tagging for free.

 

[DenverRalphy]

If all you use it for is to occasionally tag a song because you're trying to recall/learn what you are listening to, then I'd say the free version with limited tags would be fine.

But for a few bucks (not expensive IMHO) I find it worth it, because it works in conjunction with Amazon's MP3 store and I'm constantly hearing music I don't have and would like to purchase. Simply tag, click MP3 Store, click Buy, and I'm done. Other than that, the Recommendations also quickly find more music I want. Beyond that, I don't use the tag sharing options or posting on social networks.

 

[bongster]

Update:

As per email from Shazam, the answer is "yes, unlimited tagging will be preserved" as its based on the phones IMEI.

However, I have not had time to root my phone yet, so haven't really verified it.

 

[marshman58]

The first option, is to just use the free version and limit yourselves to 5 tags per month.

Option two is to just buy Shazam Encore or The premium Version of Sound Hound and enjoy the unlimited tagging! Shazam Encore is $4.79 and Sound Hound Premium is $4.99

I bought my HTC Hero well after the unlimited versions were available so, I could not say which one is better. You can always try the free versions and see which one you like better or wait until someone else comes up with a new "free app", right?

I'm not holding my breath though because, "it's all about the Benjamen's" so, we either pay or take what we can get.

Aloha,

Marshman

 

[OstrichSaK]

The first option, is to just use the free version and limit yourselves to 5 tags per month.

Option two is to just buy Shazam Encore or The premium Version of Sound Hound and enjoy the unlimited tagging! Shazam Encore is $4.79 and Sound Hound Premium is $4.99

I bought my HTC Hero well after the unlimited versions were available so, I could not say which one is better. You can always try the free versions and see which one you like better or wait until someone else comes up with a new "free app", right?

I'm not holding my breath though because, "it's all about the Benjamen's" so, we either pay or take what we can get.

Aloha,

Marshman

You forgot option three: Install V Cast Song ID which works great for free and use it as much as you want. For free.

 

[lakeside]

OK! I'll chime in on this one. I had to have my phone replaced and I was grandfathered in the unlimited user program. When I restored all of my apps from my backup set I still retained my unlimited user status.

In my case, my damaged phone was replaced with the same model. The phone I use is the Eris.

Although I didn't know I was grandfathered into the Shazam unlimited user status, the fact my phone just up and died scared the jackwagon out of me! I took the plunge the next week and rooted my phone and added a custom ROM. I did the rooting to primarily be able to return my phone to its current state using a root based backup (Titanium Backup).

I guess I was fortunate I was able to keep the unlimited status even though my phone was replaced.

 

[Shazam Customer Support]

Users who’ve downloaded and setup the free Shazam app prior to the 13th July 2010 can now keep their unlimited tagging status when switching to a new Android device. Note, users who purchase Shazam Encore can re-download Shazam Encore from the Android Market free as long as they use the same Google account on their new device.

To keep your unlimited tagging status, follow the steps below.

1) Note down the IMEI number of the Android device which had Shazam installed with unlimited tagging.
Trouble finding your IMEI?
• If you still have the original device, the IMEI number can be found under Android Settings> About Phone> Status > IMEI.
• The IMEI will be printed on a label on the device, usually under the battery.
• Your carrier may also give you this information from their records if you have sold your device or lost it.
2) Launch Shazam on your new device and click on Settings>About Shazam
3) Click the email address link (android.support@shazamteam.com). This will open up a pre-populated support email using your preferred email client.
4) Change to Subject text to “Android: Transfer Unlimited Tagging”
5) At the bottom of the mail, enter the IMEI number of your old device which was granted unlimited tagging.
6) Select Send

If our records indicate you were granted unlimited tagging on your old IMEI, we will transfer the same status over to your new device. Please note: your old device will be reverted back to limited user status.

 

[Bubi]

I installed Shazam around oct/nov 2009 and it always had unlimited tagging. my phone broke, and got replaced, but sadly, I was not that fortunate like lakeside was. I did not wrote down the IMEIs either - dumb me - now I am cursed with the new heavily limited shazam

You forgot option three: Install V Cast Song ID which works great for free and use it as much as you want. For free.

For me, there is no "V Cast Song ID" in the market. Can you provide link/barcode ?