What is Streaming Radio?

Streaming Radio uses the internet to send live audio data to your PC or Mobile device to be played anywhere in the world.  On a daily basis, I am listening to a handful of streaming radio stations on my Motorola Droid.  I know I’ve written about Pandora in the past and that is considered streaming music as well.  However, I thought I’d share with everyone a couple of personal favorites that I listen to daily.  If you’re anything like me, a minimalist, you’ll appreciate the free digital selection of music so much that you wont ever listen to your MP3 collection!   Ok, I know I just lost some of you.  But that’s ok – because I know everyone appreciates free music.  Streaming Radio is free and legal!  So you get the latest songs without all the fees.  Good deal!

ElectricFM, the Best Dance Radio station on the entire web!

About 70% of the time I am listening to ElectricFM since I like trance, dance, remixes, and DJ music.  Plus it keeps me motivated while I do just about anything. ElectricFM is ran out of New York (my home state!) and is streamed live to the world with zero commercials!  More importantly, they are very in touch with their listening audience through Facebook, Twitter, and Email. Now there are several ways you can get ElectricFM and here they are:

• ElectricFM for PC/MAC Users

  • Surf to: http://www.electricfm.com/default.asp and then click on Listen Live!

• ElectricFM for Android Phone Users

  • You can find the APP in the Android Market on your phone.  A quick link: http://www.electricfm.com/e.asp?i=678

• ElectricFM for iPhone Users

  • You can find the APP in the Apple App Store.  A quick link: http://www.electricfm.com/e.asp?i=628

• ElectricFM for Blackberry Users

  • You can find the APP in the Blackberry App Market.  A quick link: http://www.electricfm.com/e.asp?i=708

iHeartRadio: Local Radio Stations streamed to the Internet

The other 30% of the time I have on a radio station with iHeartRadio.  What makes iHeartRadio so great?  They make available just about any local radio stations as well as the majority from other States!  That’s right – Physical Radio Stations available to you from ANYWHERE!  This is great, because if you moved you can still listen to your favorite radio station from your previous region.  Very nifty!

IHeartRadio has an application for just about every mobile device as well as streaming to your PC.  You should head on over to their site and check them out:  http://www.iheartradio.com

What streaming radio stations do you listen to?  Any other cool applications like iHeartRadio and ElectricFM?  Let us know!

Say what? Pandoras Box?  That’s right.  While in Puerto Rico a friend of mine turned me onto this free Internet radio service called Pandora.  Pandora Internet Radio isn’t like most online radio stations.  It’s different in that you can customize the radio stations to your preference.  Lets just call it Smart Radio – it knows what you like, what you don’t like, and will play according to your tastes.  How does it does this?  Well, a little training of course. By the way, did I mention this service is FREE?

Free Premium Service for Audiophiles

Pandora is easy to use and right off the bat will introduce you to a customized music station based on your favorite genres, artists, or albums. The entire system is free and will work with an account (free) or without one.  I’d just sign-up for an account anyway considering it will save all your settings and preferences for your return visit.  You may ask why this kind of premium service is free and I wondered that myself.  I believe Pandora makes it money off advertising whatever song you’re listening too. 

Smart Internet Radio: Artificial Intelligence for your Music

What makes Pandora so smart?  If you tell Pandora you like 2 genres of music or 2 different artists – then it runs some statistics on its end.  It will basically find similarities in the music that you like and automatically deliver you a custom radio station with your artists plus others that you’ll “statistically” like.  Sound awesome?  It is.  So you better go check it out.  It’s definitely fun, free, and a good time.

Smart Marketing

If you are listening to your radio station, Pandora will show you the Album cover, song title, artist, and album name of the song playing.  Furthermore, you can click a small BUY button if you want to buy the entire album.  For me, even if I do not buy anything, I like the idea of knowing what I am listening too.  It also don’t hurt to be offered a quick-way to buy the entire album via the Internet.  Entirely integrated and Entirely user-friendly – I like it.  Its soon to be a Tech for the Masses favorite!

Check out Pandora here @ www.pandora.com

Readers, how do you access your favorite radio stations and music online?  Any suggestions?