Martino+A+Blog+Post+Analysis

Martino A.

TO: Proximity music team FROM: Ali Martino SUBJECT: Free Online Services Listeners Guide DATE: February 1, 2010

We were asked to review a blog post in order to fully prepare for Proximity's spring survey. Below is my summary from //NotebookReview.com// comparing free online music services to find out which one offers the best features. I suggest we include questions on the spring survey to see what services TU students use, and changes that they would like to see happen.


 * What Free Online Music Services are providing**

Most free online music services allow you to:
 * Purchase MP3 versions of songs from Amazon and iTunes
 * Have display and audio ads
 * Have iPhone and Blackberry mobile versions

So which music service is the best one? Unique differences between them sets some services apart from the others. When comparing Pandora, Slacker, and Grooveshark; Grooveshark seemed to come out on top because it had the most control and least restrictions on music.

Each services provides different strengths for listening and finding new music.
 * Pandora has the highest profile of the free online music services; a station is created station based on interests, yet is limiting on the amount of times a song can be skipped. Pandoras flash-based player tends to occupy an increasing amount of memory, occasionally crashing the browser.
 * Slacker administers a more refined radio-like experience, unlimited song skips, and allows specific song requests; giving Slacker an advantage over other music providers. However, it does not allow for MP3 song downloads.
 * Grooveshark allows an individual to request specific songs, build specific playlists, and skip or fast forward through songs. All the music in Grooveshark is shared and uploaded by users; this allows for a very diverse music spread. The radio feature suggests new songs based on what is already in ones music library


 * Why are These Services Important?**

Online music services are becoming increasingly popular for Gen-Y users. It enables a way to discovery new music without having to leave home. With this advancing technology, not only users, but music artists benefit by having their songs heard. With the upcoming generation, more and more individuals will turn to music services to discovery and download new music rather then going to music stores. For this reason, it is crucial to understand fully the Gen-Y view on music services.


 * Why are these Services Important?** **Questions to ask music listeners**
 * What are the most important qualities you look for when listening to online music services?
 * What improvements would you like to happen in order to heighten your listening pleasure?

Garmon, Jay.(2010, Jan 28) Free Online Music Services Listeners Guide. //NotebookReview.com Editor//. Retrieved Feb 3, 2010 from: []
 * Reference:**