Aupeo

AUPEO! is a personalized internet radio service.

The service currently offers over 120 pre-developed stations,^[1] and covers a range of genres; these include Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Heavy Metal, Country, House, Techno, Classical, and Punk. Users are able to select stations that follow a theme, genre, or musical mood. In addition to these stations, users can also listen to ‘Artist Stations’, stations that play music related to an artist selected by the user. Aupeo’s ‘Mood Tuner’ allows users to listen to stations specifically based on musical mood (happy, relaxing, aggressive, dramatic, stressful).^[2]

Aupeo is a licensed webcaster in more than 40 countries worldwide.^[3] The company was formed in 2008 in Berlin as Aupeo GmbH and is financed by venture capital.

As of November 2011, the Aupeo archive encompasses around 900,000 tracks.^[4]

The Technology behind Aupeo

Aupeo’s recommendation system functions by using an automated classification system that is subsequently verified by members of staff. The Fraunhofer algorithm allows the service to quickly identify certain musical qualities, automatically assigning genre classification. These classifications are then reviewed and refined by Aupeo members of staff.

The Fraunhofer Algorithm

Aupeo uses an algorithm developed by the Fraunhofer Institute.^[5] The algorithm functions by analyzing the musical characteristics of each piece of music uploaded to the Aupeo database. Characteristics analyzed include rhythm, acoustic color, tuning and tempo. The algorithm then forms relationship patterns with other pieces of music in the database, assigning songs with similar musical features to each other. An analysis of metadata (genre, subgenre, and artist origins) aids the service in guaranteeing a successful result. Following this process, a team of musical review editors reconsider the tags created by the software, correcting them if necessary.

Listener Personalization

The listener is able to develop a personalized radio station either by selecting a genre of music, an existing station with a pre-defined theme, or by typing in the name of an artist. In the database, songs with the matching attributes are being compiled to a non-reproducible radio stream. The service does not, however, offer a visible playlist. The listener can also skip tracks or rate them with the “Love” and “Ban” buttons on the player. These user interactions are then assigned to profiles that determine what is played when the user listens to any station on Aupeo.

Partners and Platform Availability

Aupeo is available on various platforms.^[6] In June 2011, an HTML5 web interface replaced the previously Flash-designed website. In addition to this, mobile applications for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and Symbian have been introduced. By means of a non-public API, the service is also available on other web-enabled devices; web radio devices, TVs, set-top boxes, netbooks and (through smartphone integration) cars. Partners of Aupeo include Loewe,^[7] Philips,^[8] Asus,^[9] Acer,^[10] Nokia,^[11] Mini,^[12] Onkyo,^[13] TechniSat ^[14] and Sonos.^[15] The Aupeo streams are available in various formats, ranging from 48 kbit/s HE-AACv2^[16] to 192 kbit/s MP3, depending on the device used.

The Aupeo Business Model

Aupeo is financed by venture capital providers that include the Investitionsbank Berlin.^[17] The service is funded by advertising, mainly in the form of audio advertising and banner advertisements. Alternatively, Aupeo also offers the possibility for users to subscribe to a ‘Premium’ service for 4.95 USD per month.^[18] ‘Premium’ user accounts are void of all advertising. In ‘Premium’ accounts, the limit of six ‘song skips’ (the ability for users to skip through songs that are being played) per hour was removed and the audio quality is increased to 192 kbit/s. As of March 2013, due to pressure from Music publishers and licensing issues with PPL, the Skip Limit was reintroduced, even for Premium accounts. Premium users may skip up to 6 times per hour, and 50 times per day.^[19]

Legal Status

Aupeo! is not an on-demand streaming service but falls under the international webcasting agreement created by the IFPI.^[20] In accordance with these requirements, Aupeo is able to provide its services in more than 40 countries.

Royalties are distributed to artists and labels through external performing rights organizations, including GEMA in Germany and the BMI in the United States.

References

External links

• Official Website
• iOS Apps
• Android App
• Symbian App
• Skype a Founder: AUPEO! Interview with TechBerlin.