Apple recently entered the online radio game in an attempt to compete with successful streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify. iTunes Radio was incorporated into the music function in iOS 7, Apple’s new mobile software update, in addition to the newest version of iTunes. The service provides a convenient online radio alternative, and could have the potential to best its contemporaries.
iTunes, like the rest of the online radios, lets you create your own stations based on your favorite song, artist or band. It works similarly to Pandora by developing your own stations and finding new music that may match your music taste. However, when creating a station it will play music based on the criteria it was created from. You may really want to listen to one song, but that particular song you based your station on may not be played immediately if ever. Pandora and iTunes Radio have this similar system of helping you find music based on your likes, but if you want a very specific song it is best to use Spotify. On Spotify you can find specific songs and create your own playlists from that.
Along with creating your own stations on online radios, users have become accustomed to liking and disliking songs. The dislike option is not even available on iTunes Radio. There is a selection similar to the like option seen on Pandora Radio. There is a star option that adds the song to your Wish List. This Wish List is slightly inconvenient to find. You have to go through the iTunes Store and on a tab next to the return to your Library, you will see a drop-down menu with your Wish List. However, if you use iTunes to buy your music this can be a helpful tool. All of your favorite music is organized in one place and there is the direct option to buy the song from iTunes. Besides the Wish List, you can still see the music you have listened to on a station through the History.
Like all other online radios, iTunes Radio still has advertisements. Though these advertisements are not as frequent compared to Spotify, which is known for its many ads. We all wish we could skip these ads, but as of right now, iTunes Radio caters to advertising. Similar to Pandora Radio, iTunes Radio allows you to skip songs. You have a six-song skip limit but unlike Pandora Radio, iTunes has a countdown of your remaining skips.
iTunes Radio has seemed to follow suit with the other online radios out there already. It even has an app for cell phones, though as of right now it is only available to iPhones. With the pressure to stay competitive, I am sure we will see future changes to iTunes Radio. As for now, I would recommend updating iTunes and checking out the new iTunes Radio. It is convenient and an easy way to listen to music.
Alyssa Hingre can be reached at alyssa.hingre@spartans.ut.edu