tisdag 10 Jul 2007, 17:54

The Filter is a small app which interfaces with iTunes (Mac and PC), Windows Media Player, and Nokia ‘phones. I’ve been using it for a few days, and I have to say I’m very impressed.

Simultaneously highlight 3 seed tracks in your music library, click the button, and The Filter gets to work. It generates a playlist linked by similar artist, genre tag, or similar styles of track. The algorithms function very well and the playlists are great. It learns what you like and adapts and refines over time.

You need a ‘net connection to get started when the app first analyses your music library, and thereafter when you add new mp3s, but other than that it runs locally. Click on a track in The Filter’s interface and it’ll generate a list of similar songs and take you to the iTunes store to hear excerpts.

Now for the really clever bit. Generate a playlist for your ipod based on 3 seed tracks, and every time you plug your ipod back into your computer The Filter can refresh that playlist with different tracks based on the same criteria.

If, like me, you find yourself staring at your music collection of many thousand mp3s and wondering what on earth to play, it’ll revolutionise your listening habits. Brilliant stuff.