The company was founded in 2008 by Jeff Smith and Stanford assistant professor Ge Wang. Wang commented that the goal of the apps was to draw users in and "by the time they realize they're making music, 'it's too late — they're already having fun.'"[3] In December 2011, Smule acquired fellow music app developer Khush.[4] On July 31, 2013, Wang stepped down from his role at Smule to return to Stanford full time.
Sing! Karaoke is a karaoke app by Smule, first released on iOS platforms in 2012[1] and subsequently on Android in 2013.[2] In October of 2015, Smule announced the release of an Apple TV edition of Sing! Karaoke.
Smule co-founder and CTO Ge Wang says the collaborative features should help with Smule’s broader goal of making music performance more fun and accessible. When someone opens a Smule app, he says they shouldn’t ask themselves, “Am I a musician?” because the answer is usually no. Instead, the goal is to draw people in, then by the time they realize they’re making music, “it’s too late — they’re already having fun.” With Sing, it’s it should be less intimidating to join in an already-created song than it would be to start singing on your own.
An update of the app added new filters such as one that made the user sound like they were singing in the shower.
148Apps said "Sing! Join the global karaoke party! is either going to horrify or delight people, depending on their point of view on karaoke, in general. Yes, there are a lot of bad singers out there, but the name of the game is to have fun, and with the whole world as a stage, Sing! can be an awful lot of fun."[6] AppAdvice said "As far as music selection, the free app is a mixed bag."[7] Appolicious concluded "That’s the beauty of Sing! It may or may or may not yield a Beyoncé, Snoop Dog, Idina Menzel, John Mayer or even a Rebecca Black, but it is a wonderful way for singers the world over to unite and make a joyful communal sound.
