Technology plays radio name game

Driving down the road listening to the radio, you come across a great song which you don't recognize but really want to download or purchase on CD. \nThe problem arises. You won't know the song's title or artist unless the disc jockey specifically says it while you're in the car.\nNow, with the help of technology including cell phones and computers, naming that tune is as simple as making a phone call.\nNMK, Inc., a New York City-based company specializing in wireless music applications, has introduced 411-SONG, a program that allows users to listen to a radio anywhere, call (866)411-SONG, let the phone "listen" to the music and, in a matter of minutes, receive a text message with the song title and the artist.\nSunjay Guleria, chief executive officer of 411-SONG, said the music system can hit all demographics and is useful for people of all ages.\n"411-SONG is for everyone who loves music and has a cell phone," Guleria said. "Not only can anyone from an 18-year-old girl to a 48-year-old man ID a song, but they can do it from just about anywhere as long as music is playing."\nAlthough she probably would not use the service, senior Whitney Bond said it will help others.\n"It will help people find new talent and discover new artists that they have never heard," Bond said. "It can also further their interests in music that might sound familiar or artists who sound familiar."\nGuleria said the reason for beginning this company was the simple idea of being able to find good music and to know what is being played -- sometimes people just can't remember the artist's name or the title of the song.\nNot only does the company let users find songs in a database of more than 2.5 million tunes, it can keep track of the ones requested. Then, users can go to www.411song.com and download the song for 99 cents for a ring tone, buy the CD and keep a list of their tracks.\nThe fee is necessary to keep the service on the cutting edge of technology.\n"The mobile carriers all take a lot of revenue," Guleria said. "We would like to offer the service for free, but that just isn't feasible with the technology fee."\nFreshman Jon Coombs finds novelty in the venture.\n"I think it is a clever idea," said Coombs. "People can buy the ring tones and CD off the Net, and it just makes finding music more simple."\nGuleria said future use may include the incorporation of song-list sharing among friends.\n"This gives it a community angle," said Guleria. "But for now, it is about getting what you love."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Ryne Shadday at rshadday@indiana.edu.