The worlds of technology, computing, entertainment and the Internet changed dramatically in 2001 when Apple Computers released the most successful product they had ever made. Curiously enough, that product was not a laptop or desktop Macintosh computer. Instead, it was about the size of a modern cell phone, and became the thing that nobody ever knew they needed, yet suddenly one everyone had to have. Apple made much more money from this device than they had ever made selling normal computers. The device was named the iPod.
The iPod, and its companion program iTunes, became, and in many ways still are, the measure by which all other Internet-based music delivery platforms and players are judged. While there have been other MP3 music-playing devices and software-based players on the market, it is still the functionality of iPod and iTunes that defines consumer desires towards the Internet music industry.
In recent years, smart phones, particularly Apples own iPhone, have largely supplanted the iPod, as modern phones have music playing functions that can satisfy most anyone. iTunes is still my favorite music-purchasing and playback system, whether on an Apple Mac or a Microsoft Windows PC. I like that I can buy individual songs for $1 or less, and be confident that what I am downloading is the real thing, and not a virus planted on some “music sharing” website masquerading as my favorite tune, ready to mess up my life. I also like the way iTunes is laid out and functions. Get iTunes for free at apple.com, available in both Mac and PC versions. Tweak it to show both the menu bar and sidebar and you’ll have a great way to organize and listen to music.
Another musical way that computers can be fun is with streaming music playback websites, often called “Internet Radio.” While websites cannot actually be considered radio stations in the true sense of the term, since they lack antennas that transmit radio signals through the Earth’s atmosphere, they function on the Internet much the same as conventional radio stations. Visit (i.e., “tune in”) to an Internet radio station, click the right button and suddenly you are listening to that “stations” streaming broadcast, just like you were listening in your car or at home using a conventional radio.
Choices abound when it comes to Internet Radio. iTunes offers an impressive offering called, strangely enough, iTunes Radio. Choices are abundant as to musical genres one can choose, such as rock, jazz, classical, etc. However, many Internet music listeners may not be pleased with Apple’s intrusive iTunes Radio policies, and may tune to more libertarian choices, such as Pandora, Jango, Live365 or Spotify.
My current Internet streaming music favorite is called Slacker (slacker.com). You simply visit the Slacker website, pick a channel and start listening to excellent music. There is no need to setup yet another stupid Internet “account,” no requirement to think up yet another ridiculous password or give some unknown entity your email address. Click and listen is all you do. I like it.