Apple develops audio hyperlinks

Apple is working on audio-hyperlink technology that will use audible and inaudible signals embedded in music or other audio tracks to link to other media or to launch some functions, writes TechCrunch. This will allow devices to perform a number of different functions when such hyperlinks are detected, just as users act when they see regular links on the Internet.

You can, for example, embed such an audio hyperlink into a podcast, the playback of which will be suspended when a link is found, either to return to an earlier fragment of the same podcast, or to play another audio stream, or even to open another application, video or another site from the Internet .

Theoretically, audio hyperlinks can also be used to enable users to make purchases within other applications. E-commerce features embedded in audio would be suitable for podcast affiliate programs or for directing iTunes Radio users to purchase music and applications.
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Apple already has an “extended podcast” format that allows you to do some of the above, but it requires adding metadata and writing a file in AAC format. The new technology will allow to put the necessary links directly into the audio stream, which will make it much more portable. Audio hyperlinks can also be tied to some input triggers, so the user would, for example, slap the device, use voice input or otherwise activate the link before it works.

If the technology comes to life, the audio files will become truly interactive and more suitable for multimedia-rich mobile platforms that exist today. In addition to podcasts, audio hyperlinks are sure to find their use in music, video and even ringtones or other notifications.