Computer Repair in Kalamazoo

For today’s music consumer, mobile is where it’s at.  Whether it’s on an iPad, computer, or smartphone, people want to hear their music wherever they are with minimal fuss.  Capitalizing on this desire, there are many options available for the consumer to stream music to their device.  The best of these services are platform independent, meaning they are accessible from almost any computer OS, web browser or smartphone.

Streaming music is a service provided by a company in which music is funneled to your device in “real time.”  The music isn’t actually downloaded to your device (in most cases), but simply played through it.  This gives you access to a much larger library of music than you would most likely have if you were paying for each individual song or storing it all on your phone.  Most of these music services have both free and “premium” versions with additional features like offline listening, enhanced playlists, etc.

Geek Easy Computers has put together this short list of example services to give you a clearer view of what’s available and what the differences between some of the more popular services are.  This list is based on our personal use and opinions and, as such, is not definitive or all-inclusive.  It’s just what we like!

Pandora Internet Radio – https://www.pandora.com/
One of the oldest and largest streaming services, Pandora describes itself as a “customizable online radio.”  It is accessed via web browser (OS Independent), desktop application (Pandora Pro), and phone apps (Android/iOS).  You can create “stations” based on songs or artists you initially choose.  These choices act as “seeds” for the station.  Pandora then chooses additional songs based on similarity to the “seed” songs/artists you chose.  Still following me? Good.  You can further customize the station by adding new “seed” songs/artists at anytime.  You can also like/dislike a track, either locking it into rotation or removing it from that station.  If you connect your Facebook account or Twitter account you can share either your station or individual songs to your friends and followers.

If you want to stream music and don’t mind the lack of playlists, Pandora stations can become very personalized to your listening tastes. If you like finding new music similar to your tastes, Pandora can help you discover things you wouldn’t with traditional playlists and online purchases.

Spotify – https://www.spotify.com/
Spotify is a newcomer to the U.S., but it’s already become a popular streaming service. It’s accessed via desktop application (Windows/Mac/Linux Beta) and phone apps (Android/iOS). Currently only paid accounts have dominion of the mobile apps, but Spotify recently made radio free for mobile users. Spotify is known for its ability to create and share custom playlists from an immense library. While you can find most popular music on Spotify, there are gaps when compared to iTunes or Amazon stores and new releases may take a little while before they become available for Spotify free users. Spotify lets you create playlists from music you have on your computer/device AND music you don’t even own. The desktop app will also sync your local music to mp3 players, so it can become a good alternative to iTunes or Windows Media Player. Playlists sync between computers and devices, but only Spotify songs come with you between devices and computers.

If you like having a little more control over your listening experience through playlists or entire albums, then Spotify is a must have. It’s like an expansion pack for your existing mp3 collection and also gives you radio services similar to Pandora, the only catch is a lack of Web browser playback.

Songza – https://www.songza.com
A service similar to Pandora, Songza is a different type of Internet radio. This service is access via Web browser (OS Independent) or Apps (Android/iOS). What separates it from other Internet radio services, is the vast library of pre-made playlists for just about every genre, mood, activity or decade imaginable. Songza also has what they call a “music concierge”, which lets you pick a playlist based on the time of day/location (work/home/etc) and your mood.

Some things are pretty cut and dry, but there are plenty of options. Let’s say you’re a fan of bluegrass, if you select Genres > Bluegrass, there are seven different playlists from Bluegrass Love Songs, Essential Bluegrass and Newgrass Nation. There’s also a lot of fun playlists on Songza, from the selections in “Vintage Bachelor Pad”, “Reggae Beyond Bob Marley”, “Indie Music That’s Not Too Weird” and “When You’re Over Being a Music Snob.”

The selection is limited when compared to other services, but if you’re someone who doesn’t mind the lack of control over your music or you just want to listen to a good mood setlist, Songza can be a lot of fun. It’s a relative newcomer to the scene, but there’s a lot of promise. The best feature of the service by far is the lack of audio advertisements on both browser and in-app listening. Since it’s a completely free service, there’s nothing to lose and a whole lot of potential to gain.

Google Play Music – https://play.google.com/about/music/
Google Music isn’t a traditional streaming service, instead it bridges the gap between stores like iTunes and services like Spotify. Anything purchased from the Google Play store is available for streaming from any Web browser (OS Independent) or available via the app (Android Only). Because it’s Google, if you have a YouTube, Gmail or other Google account, you have everything you need to get started with Google music. Google Music has the distinct feature of letting you upload 20,000 of your own songs in addition to the music you purchase. The music manager for uploading your own music is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Google also offers hundreds of free songs from the Play store, so you can try it out without making a monetary commitment.

If there’s a local band you love, hard-to-find CD you own or music you purchased from another service, Play Music let’s you take it with you. Unlike radio services, Google Music is more like an online music library with things you upload and purchase. It has full artist, album or playlist functionality and will also let you rate your music like iTunes. If you have an Android phone or tablet, Play Music is a must-have. For iOS users, browser support is the only option since Apple is picky about which Google apps it will allow.

The Skinny
The time for streaming music is now. With the prevalence of WiFi, 4G and broadband Internet connections, the need to carry around mp3s or a 30-year-old technology like CDs with you to work is over. (FYI: The CD’s 30th birthday was 10/01/2012) Each service has it’s own pros and cons, but nowadays, there are so many services that there has to be something out there for you.

Honorable mentions include Grooveshark (https://www.grooveshark.com), Slacker Radio (https://www.slacker.com/) and Last.fm (https://www.last.fm/). Obviously we have our preferences, but we would love to know what works for you. Tell us what you like the most about your preferred music service here in the comments or on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

For more info Click here –> https://geek-easy.com/contact-us/

420 N. Church St. STE 1
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269)548-TECH (8324)
info@geek-easy.com