PANDORA ROLLS OUT VOICE CONTROL

Pandora has introduced Voice Mode that allows listeners to control Pandora’s mobile app. The streaming service will roll out access to Voice Mode to select listeners beginning today, with general availability for all mobile users coming soon.

By saying the wake phrase “Hey Pandora” followed by a request, users can control and continually refine their listening experience. Voice Mode uses advanced Natural Language Understanding technology to respond to a wide array of requests.

“With Voice Mode, we are introducing an even more natural and conversational way for listeners to discover new music and enhance their experience directly in the Pandora mobile app, like getting recommendations from a friend who really knows you,” said Chris Phillips, Chief Product Officer, Pandora.

Voice Mode will respond to requests such as “play something for my workout” or “what song is this?” It will not take kindly to being called Alexa.

For Voice Mode, Pandora has partnered with SoundHound’s Houndify voice and conversational AI platform featuring its Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies.