It sounds like some haunting blend on Pentatonix and Daft Punk, but Google Japan’s latest musical performance is something wholly different.
Relying on electronic devices to make music is nothing new. Since the progression from analogue to digital synthesisers in the 80s we’ve been searching for fresh and increasingly unusual ways to manipulate sound and create new forms of music. Rigging 300 Android devices into a choir undoubtedly qualifies as one way of doing just that.
Google Japan just released a video showcasing its ‘Android Chorus’; an assortment of 300 Android smartphones and tablets synchronised together to perform a unique rendition of ‘Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee’ (aka ‘The Hymn of Joy’).
We’re not sure whether the numerous devices in this chorus have been separated into their various parts of bass, tenor, alto and soprano based on size, but we’d like to think that the tablets are the ones belting out those deeper tones and the sub 4-inch handsets are tweeting the high notes.
To add a little more character to the performance each device also shows an animated avatar from Google’s Androidify app, all of which appear to dance and sing in time with the music. It’s a pretty unique looking and sounding performance that actually serves as part of Google’s current global marketing for its ‘Be together. Not the same’ Android campaign.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Tokyo between the 12th and 15th of February you can actually watch performances by the Android Chorus first hand at Omotesando Hills shopping centre.
In the same vein, Korean carrier SK Telecom recently released a new set of performances from its mobile orchestra, intended to celebrate the 2014 Asian Games.
What’s your favourite ringtone, the Nokia theme, Marimba? Let us know in the comments below.
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