Wireless Hobo

Service Essentials: Pandora

Browsing through the top 25 free iPhone applications tonight, I saw this application called Pandora.  Knowing that curiosity killed the cat, I opened Pandora’s box.  Before I get started, Pandora is not just an iPhone application.

One of the obstacles to getting Michelle to adopt an iPod is her affection for the radio.  Just put something on and let it rip.  Pandora seems to cater to her and others like her.  Pandora just streams music to you.

Ok, not quite.  I am the type of person that really doesn’t care much for the radio.  I prefer to make my own radio.  The iPod single-handedly force me to develop a love of a lot of different kinds of music.  (Yes, I still love Christina Aguilera, Alex.  Yes,  you did embarrass me enough that I changed my ringer to an old telephone.  Yes, you were right, it was a bit lame.)  Back to Pandora.

After creating an account, I created a new radio station called Creedence Clearwater Revival, and renamed it to Gulf Shores Classics.  Pandora now creates a radio station based on music that is similar to CCR’s music and style!  After CCR, it queued up Simple Man by Skynrd, Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel, and Taking It Easy by the Eagles!  In the reggae/hip-hop channel it went from Lauryn Hill to Eryka Badu, to John Legend, to Bob Marley.

Now the cool part, in my opinion, is going in and editing stations by seeding songs that you like or artists into the channel, helping Pandora customize your radio stations to YOUR ears’ desires.  Now that it is on the iPhone (and other mobile phones), well, that is just one of the coolest things I have seen heard.  Also, if you click on an artist you are directed to a page that will allow you to buy the music on iTunes, Amazon CD, or Amazon MP3.  Very, very convenient — and perhaps bad for my bank account.  (I promise to be good, M.  Really.  My fingers aren’t crossed or anything.)

Check the right most sidebar.  I have posted my channels.  Hope you like them as much I do.  If you do, please comment on this article.  Thanks.