Why I use Pandora
Recently, I canceled XM Radio in my car, the sound quality was so low and the music selection was repetitive. I listen to Pandora at home and at work, it’s really great. They get the concept that the user is in charge. Here’s a few things I like about them:
- Streaming video
- Music the way I like it
- Simple, smooth interface that is easy to use
- Advanced features just one click deeper (but not cluttering the main player)
- High quality sound
- No ads in the play list
- A pretty deep play list, and
- You can customize your channels, vote for songs, and build the radio YOU want.
- No login to sample (I believe LastFM requires this)
- I can share my playlists
- It’s free!
Recently, Pandora started to apply branded skins on the webpage home, this is part of their advertising model. I really respect Pandora and their sponsors.
Because Pandora respects me as a user, I respect them and their sponsors. I’m much more inclined to purchase products from their vendors such as Nike, Apple iPods, Chase Freedom, Comcast, and Palm.
My wish list is that I want the channels for my mobile consumption, in the car, on my iPod. I wish they could easily (legally) export that content to me. Next is to add more community features so I can communicate with others and find others that share my similar interests. Also, I just took a look at StumbleUpon, this model could also be applied to Pandora, perhaps rather than having Pandora classified content.
Although I know some of the good folks over at Pandora, I’m not obligated by any way for this review, these are my personal recommendations as a consumer.
Oh, and case you’re wondering what do I listen to? Chill, Lounge, Bluenote Era Jazz, Acid Jazz, Trip Hop, Progressive House, and Salsa. I own albums such as Coltrane, Miles Davis, JJ Johnson, Bill Evans, Crystal Method, Tiesto, BT, Oakenfold, Zero 7, Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Tito Puente, and Pancho Sanchez.
I’ve no relationship with Pandora, this is just my personal review.
6 Comments so far
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[…] I can’t agree more, as just a few minutes ago I just advocated Pandora. Robert Scoble keeps on driving home the point that the word of mouth network is very efficient. He’s right, as news about events in Paris at Les Blogs exploded online and impacted folks here in California within minutes. […]
Expand your Pandora experience at…
http://pandorastations.crispynews.com
Thanks!
Tim
[…] Just last week I wrote why I use Pandora. I often listen to Pandora at home and at work, and it has significantly reduced the amount of money spent on music media down 90%. Yes, Pandora and Last FM and other internet radio stations are disruptive to companies like Tower Records (who recently went bankrupt). The Web continues to change the world. […]
I’m not understanding the model here. Copyright issues? Who is creating these “stations”? Am i just being thick?
Pandora is parterened with some pretty well known media companies, one is MSN Radio
http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/19/pandora-goes-social/
It’s all legit
Who creates these stations? You do, I do, we all do!
And that’s the beauty. give it a try, you can vote up and down the song you like and then share with me.
Jeremiah
I just started using them and, yes, I am hooked. I listen to almost exactly the same mix of music as you (used to play Jazz myself).
Would realy be great to see them get into the mobile music arena - so much better than anything that’s out there now.