Digital music service Rhapsody kicked-off its “mobile utility apps strategy” with the launch of a Shazam-like music identification app, stating that it is “working on additional purpose-built music apps that are free and complementary to Rhapsody’s premium on-demand music service”.

The initial app, SongMatch, is being delivered in partnership with music database company Gracenote.

It is initially available on Android, with launches for other platforms slated for “the future”.

Free to download and use, the app will also enable Rhapsody subscribers to listen and download full tracks of matched songs or “dive deep” into an album, artist catalogue or discover similar artists.

All matched songs are automatically stored and saved as a playlist for future access. The app will also enable non-subscribers to “start a hassle-free Rhapsody trial”.

“We built Rhapsody SongMatch to seamlessly integrate with our core experience to connect the fun and convenience of mobile apps with full on-demand playback for both subscribers and new customers,” said Paul Springer, senior vice president, worldwide product and design at Rhapsody.