Slacker or Pandora - Android Apps and Games

Want to upgrade one of these apps, but not sure which one. I like the idea that Pandora gives paid users better quality music, but that probably means more data usage. I listen mostly to alternative hits and I recognize more of the songs/artists when listening to Slacker. Fewer skips, too. Pandora is cheaper, but only offers 1 year memberships. Slacker offers monthly, but it gets even more expensive that way. Pandora almost never loses signal, Slacker sometimes does and the pause between songs on Slacker is often long. Just wondering what the XDA community prefers. Thanks.

I use slacker. I find it plays better. I do like it because i was able to bill it to my t-mobile account. I went into the settings and put it in high quality audio mode and i am more than happy with the audio quality. I like the interface better.

I don't use either one. Pandora is being investigated for selling personal phone IDs, among other information, so uninstalled.
Never used Slacker.
I just use TuneIn Radio for streaming actual stations.
Nothing for just random music selection.

I Am Marino said:
I don't use either one. Pandora is being investigated for selling personal phone IDs, among other information, so uninstalled.
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WOW! Had never heard this, but a Google search brought this up:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576020083703574602.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEADTop
Looks like Angry Birds and some other popular apps are involved. This kind of thing makes me consider using a prepaid, featureless phone. We may all be dummies for using smartphones. I hate to see government get involved, but it's obvious that companies will stoop to anything unless and until there are laws to stop them.

Related

[slightly off topic] The good aspects of the 21st century

There are several threads about how buggy HTC devices are and that almost all vendors release "unfinished" products so they can more quickly earn money with them and only at a later point the might fix the problems. I don't want to defend HTC or start an additional discussion of that kind but I want just to sate a positive statement as counterpart. I'm using HTC devices since the first one which came out and when I look back I find it amazing what's possible on today's PPCs. And to illustrate what I mean here is a list of things I do with my PPC:
Instant Email reception (pushmail) for Business Emails
Shared Calender (also instantly synched)
Shared with my colleagues
Shared with my wife - so normally my calender knows about family acitvity before I do
Using it as a torch (using hTorch of course )
Using it as alarm to wake me up
Using it as e-book reader for the daily newspaper I read
Using it to browse websites like this forum while lying in bed
Using it as a portable video player combined with PocketPlayer to watch selfmade DivX/XviD movies
Sometimes using the mentioned video payer in combination with TV out while traveling
Sometimes using the two above mentioned functions in combination with my bluetooth stereo headset
Using it as "external harddrive" - well with a 16GB microSD there is still plenty of space left even with iGO installed, a lot movies and music on the card
Using it for navigation with iGO
Using it for "GeoCaching" with my son
Using it to watch movie trailers with the youtube app while I'm bored at public transport f.e.
Using it as digital camera when I've forgotten my real one (as I do most of the time)
Using it to listen to music mostly with the stereo bluetooth headset which enables me to control the music player via the headset
Using the above mentioned function while jogging combined with a GPS tracking software to analyze the track afterwards
And when someone calls me during jogging my headset automatically witches to handsfree mode and I can communicate via the bluetooth headset without the need to put the PPC out of the pocket. After the call is finished the music continues automatically
Using it as Phone/SMS/MMS of course
Using eWallet to safly store all my passwords etc. (synced with the PC)
Using it to remotely control linux servers via SSH
Using it to remotely control windows servers via RDP
Using it to always have pictures of my family with me
And probably a few more things I didn't think of at the moment
I could probably state at least one bug about every point mentioned above. But that's not the point. My point is, that today a PPC is really a "Pocket PC" which enables me to do things I wouldn't have dreamed of a few years ago.
I really look forward to the years to come. And just to mention one very important additional aspect: My PPC wouldn't be worth half as much without this community! Microsoft and HTC should regularly donate instead of watching this community with Arguseyes.
Just my two cents which I had to state once.
PS.: Sorry for the slightly off-topic posting but since my impressions are related to my TP and a lot of people are whining about the TP's bugs I wanted to post it here.
"and just to mention one very important additional aspect: My PPC wouldn't be worth half as much without this community! Microsoft and HTC should regularly donate instead of watching this community with Arguseyes."
I totally agree you !! Thanks xda-developers and all members
@ DeepThought
Using it as a torch (using hTorch of course )
LOL
But you are right, it's really handy to have a flashlight at hand.
And I agree, without XDA-developers maybe I would not have a HTC anymore.
I'm really a bit disappointed with the Qualcomm chips.
I agree with every single thing you listed... although pitty is that you can't do all of this continuously for more than 3-4 hours.
I'm not complaining because I'm always near to an electric socket... but I wouldn't mind if the battery lasted a little bit longer ;-)
johanromijn said:
@ DeepThought
Using it as a torch (using hTorch of course )
LOL
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I couldn't resist.
johanromijn said:
But you are right, it's really handy to have a flashlight at hand.
And I agree, without XDA-developers maybe I would not have a HTC anymore.
I'm really a bit disappointed with the Qualcomm chips.
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That's right I would almost certainly not having an HTC device if this community wouldn't exist.
ferus said:
I agree with every single thing you listed... although pitty is that you can't do all of this continuously for more than 3-4 hours.
I'm not complaining because I'm always near to an electric socket... but I wouldn't mind if the battery lasted a little bit longer ;-)
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That's true. But on the other hand I do about two thirds of the list every day and the battery always lasts one average day for me (from ~0700 to ~2300). So it could be better of course but it could be much worse too.
Nice idea to put this all together on a post as some might have forgotten how cool it is to have just ONE device managing all these tasks! I fully agree with you on both - the features and bugs, but when reading posts like recently about where people complained about the poor graphics performance, I think to myself, hey, at least you CAN watch movies on it besides many other features lilke use it as audio player, use it as GPS system,.... and not to forget: use it as a mobile phone .
And if something does not run perfectly, well, it's annoying but having insight in today's software developing processes I only can say that HTC is not the worst performer there...
Just my 2 cents,
Cactus World
Cactus World said:
And if something does not run perfectly, well, it's annoying but having insight in today's software developing processes I only can say that HTC is not the worst performer there...
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I think so too.
Using it as a Spying Utility, putting it in silent mode then letting it call any different phone number to listen in on what's going on.
Using it as a "Find The Thief that Stole My Phone" Utility.
Using it as a Video tape with the TV Out.
and off course for some of the unfortunate.
Using it as a PaperWeight, also off course made possible because of XDA

Rhapsody on Android today.

Finally. Ten bucks for unlimited streaming, and PC client to download and convert to mp3 with naughty software...
WWW.rhapsody.com
pmow said:
Finally. Ten bucks for unlimited streaming, and PC client to download and convert to mp3 with naughty software...
WWW.rhapsody.com
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$10,- a month?
Right....
Henchman said:
$10,- a month?
Right....
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I gladly paid Pandora's 36 bucks a YEAR but no internet radio is worth a monthly fee. Christ.
It's not internet radio. You can also download tracks to any mp3 player aside from an ipod pretty much, as well as a PC (no Mac, unless you VM). You're basically renting out music, but it's a much better deal than Lala, etc which don't let you download. Granted, it's in a protected format of course, but you can find ways around that
I'm trying this out for the time being but I'm really excited for Spotify to come out. Sounds like Google wanted the N1 to ship with Spotify built in would have given iTunes a run for it's money. Spotify is supposed to come out in Q3.
Just my opinion no one needs to freak out over it. Although this seems like a great app, I would not pay 10 bucks a month to listen to music....I'd rather donate that 10 bucks to Cyanogen or another dev....Sorry, way to many "free" options out there to pay ten bucks a month, thanks tho!! Again IMO
Why are you waiting for Spotify? I used the service, but maybe I missed something.
Never used Rhapsody but surely it's very similar to Spotify.
I use Spotify for the record, the premium one at £10 a month.
I've never had any issue with software. Very good for syncing across several PCs, my N1 and my iPod Touch. I've got music all over the place and only for £10 a month.
Bargain!
I did ask a question about whether there is an app that can do the same as the PC apps so as to record the streams or normal offline audio to mp3s on Android?
Any suggestions or knowledge on this?
I got this in college when they had a $26 / year deal. Just about $2 / month. Then they stopped contracting with our school but our accounts have been active since. It's been 6 years. Too bad my account is some special crap or wahtever and doesnt work with Rhapsody on the go for mobile devices. =[
But this is nice. This is no Pandora. Want song A? You get Song A. Want another song? Search it. Imagine it's getting the iTunes library at your fingertips, except its all streaming.... very useful.
I've loaded up a whole playlist before and just played it at a couple of housewarming parties. Works well.
I've been using the app all day since it released... While it's a great app in general, the radio function appears broken.
I can't skip more than 2 songs per hour... where the hours are seemingly longer than 60 mins. Something is seriously wrong...
Limewire = Free
kamikazimonky said:
Limewire = Free
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Limewire = Virus/Trash/noob
haven't you bee told about free software? or doing downloads with pc and streaming that to the phone? or shoutcast? search in the market for droidlive and
musikcube
Sent from my Nexus One using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

best on-demand music service for me (dinc) and wife (bb)?

so i'm currently on napster... which is a great value at 5 bucks a month, but no mobile app so looking to switch.
rhapsody works great on my phone but they don't have (yet) a bb application so my wife and i can both utilize the subscription, so i'm thinking i need to look elsewhere.
the only one i can find now that works for both bb and dinc would be thumbplay. anyone have experience with this service? is it at least as good as rhapsody?
anyone have other suggestions of services and apps that would work on both the dinc and my wifes storm?
the primary need/want is on-demand streaming (i.e. not just radio... but specific albums, artists, etc.).
thanks!
Try grooveshark, it's only $3 a month or $30 a year.Looks like it works for bb except bb storm.
Sent from my Incredible running skyraider 2.5.2 with s-off and 2.15 radio.
byproxy said:
so i'm currently on napster... which is a great value at 5 bucks a month, but no mobile app so looking to switch.
rhapsody works great on my phone but they don't have (yet) a bb application so my wife and i can both utilize the subscription, so i'm thinking i need to look elsewhere.
the only one i can find now that works for both bb and dinc would be thumbplay. anyone have experience with this service? is it at least as good as rhapsody?
anyone have other suggestions of services and apps that would work on both the dinc and my wifes storm?
the primary need/want is on-demand streaming (i.e. not just radio... but specific albums, artists, etc.).
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thumbplay Music offers a free trial so definitely give it a try. I'm confident you will be happy with the Music Selection, the Feature Set and device footprint. If you need any more information feel free to reach out to me directly - [email protected]
mbiondo said:
Thumbplay Music offers a free trial so definitely give it a try. I'm confident you will be happy with the Music Selection, the Feature Set and device footprint. If you need any more information feel free to reach out to me directly - [email protected]
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Click to collapse
I use Grooveshark and love it. Their free trial is as easy as it gets. I am, however, curious about Thumbplay Music. After the free trial, what are their monthly rates?
pandora is free
works awsome and is free the more you listen the more you refine the better the station
mbiondo said:
Thumbplay Music offers a free trial so definitely give it a try. I'm confident you will be happy with the Music Selection, the Feature Set and device footprint. If you need any more information feel free to reach out to me directly - [email protected]
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Click to collapse
what's the difference between thumbplay and pandora or slacker?
Last.fm all the way. Has the best music selection by far if your taste is a little off the beaten path. It's also built into the XBox 360 dashboard, which is nice if you have one.
mbiondo said:
Thumbplay Music offers a free trial so definitely give it a try. I'm confident you will be happy with the Music Selection, the Feature Set and device footprint. If you need any more information feel free to reach out to me directly - [email protected]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is $10 a month? That's crazy!
You might want to check out RDIO. They're newer than the other services, but it looks like the breadth of their library is pretty decent.
Mr. Spontaneous said:
You might want to check out RDIO. They're newer than the other services, but it looks like the breadth of their library is pretty decent.
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Rdio IS very nice, but the price tag of $10/mo is too much unless you listen to it all day every day
i used rhapsody, great service, but very sucky Android app.
i used MOG, also a good service, but the app didn't wanna cooperate with 2.2. it would play 2 minutes or so of a song and then skip to the next.
right now i am using Rdio and it's working flawlessly. they are updating the app very frequently which is nice to see.
OP, Why not use Pandora or slacker?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

What is the best app for Media Streaming from PC (with 3G)

What's going on guys...
The topic is pretty straightforward. I used Plex for about a month until they updated it rendering video streaming absolutely BROKEN. Such ridiculousness.
what apps do you guys recommend? Obviously paid apps will probably have the best results.
And please, only apps that work with 3G. (audio and video)
Dunno, but something that gets on my nerves is that i moved my phone contract to giffgaff.
Giffgaff is AMAZING.
I am getting 5 mbps downloads and 2mbps uploads and it is UNLIMITED data. (not even a fair useage upper cap, it is TRULY unlimited).
I can not even watch BBC player or ITV player because they require WiFi access, (which is rediculous these days with TRULY unlimited data plans).
So if anyone knows a way to trick the BBC or ITV players to work with 3g access, please, PLEASE post.
Lol? You hijacked my thread there a bit bro
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Audiogalaxy is amazing, but your computer needs to stay on and awake. It's free too.
Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.audiogalaxy&feature=search_result
Im sure that orb is on your list if your looking for streaming media over 3D. Orb through dolphin using flash works great for me. I have to admit I do use it mainly for live tv and movies. I don't really use it for music, that said I'm sure the interfaces from the apps listed above are better.
www.orb.com
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

Things to do

I keep finding myself thinking I could do all this on a cheap phone. What do you use your smartphone for on a daily basis?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
make myself look busy when im really not
Supamike88 said:
I keep finding myself thinking I could do all this on a cheap phone. What do you use your smartphone for on a daily basis?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
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Well i have a Google Voice tied to my phone, that i use for my work line. I also have my work email tied to my phone. I also use Springpad for daily task and it syncs with my computer. I use Google docs to keep important files at my finger tips. the AD-HOC tethering is nice so i can have wireless access to my catalogs from anywhere on a table or laptop... i use mine more for business then i ever thought about with my blackberry.
stream music to my phone from my computer without having to put any music files on my SD card, tethering, wifi/wifi calling, youtube videos, flash for camera, "4G" speeds, and integrated email. didnt have any of these useful features on my previous sidekick 08 lol
Almost anything you can do with a computer or laptop I can do with my phone except its more convenient cause it fits in my pocket doesn't need to be connected to wifi and takes pictures and video so I think I would prefer my intelligent phone over my laptop anyday but of course the desktop wins cause it can run the games my Xbox360 can and it helps make things for my device lol
I think we're just one level behind where its total convenience. Right now it seems like voice recognition isn't too great outside of text messaging. I'm sure Android has a lot more to bring to the table though.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
we'll see a legitimate siri clone very soon, but even so, I regularly use the voice command- "navigate to __" to gps my way around miami. more than anything, on a personal level, my phone has made my life so much easier regarding events. My phone calendar is the only reason I'm ever where I'm supposed to be.
i think most people with smartphones who see no use in them just haven't made the effort to see how they can improve their lives. I'm not saying they are for everyone, but I truly believe they can be. You just need to see how and why.
darinmc said:
we'll see a legitimate siri clone very soon, but even so, I regularly use the voice command- "navigate to __" to gps my way around miami. more than anything, on a personal level, my phone has made my life so much easier regarding events. My phone calendar is the only reason I'm ever where I'm supposed to be.
i think most people with smartphones who see no use in them just haven't made the effort to see how they can improve their lives. I'm not saying they are for everyone, but I truly believe they can be. You just need to see how and why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
informative and beautiful calendar widget is the reason why i'm using this "sense" smartphone. plus notes app also beautiful, and reader, beats, ds camera, alarm. hahaha this phone really make my life better.
darinmc said:
we'll see a legitimate siri clone very soon, but even so, I regularly use the voice command- "navigate to __" to gps my way around miami. more than anything, on a personal level, my phone has made my life so much easier regarding events. My phone calendar is the only reason I'm ever where I'm supposed to be.
i think most people with smartphones who see no use in them just haven't made the effort to see how they can improve their lives. I'm not saying they are for everyone, but I truly believe they can be. You just need to see how and why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree, that's why I started this thread
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
They're good projectiles....Their slim design is quite aerodynamicky, the MT4G's weight gives it good stopping power. But seriously I use it for email, quick photos, some games, twitt, fb, gplus,etc...
Ace42 said:
They're good projectiles....
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Click to collapse
Back on topic, considering that this is my first smartphone, I find it useful, but I'm probably old school compared to many here and I've managed to live this long without a smartphone. I finally got on board not because I care to downsize my computing devices, but because I wanted a GPS-enabled device for navigation for the few times I need it. Also, a QWERTY keyboard in conjunction with Swype is a massive improvement over an alphanumeric keypad for composing texts or simply taking notes. That said, I still prefer using my desktop over my laptop over my phone, and the phone will never be a good interface for me to perform heavy text composition.
To me, what's nice is that the apps I did rarely use on my dumbphone like the calendar and calculator are much more spacious and intuitive to use now to the point where I'm willing to use them more often. It's also nice to have a specialized flashlight app and the ability to easily check my email and the weather. I really like the voice dictation and Swype inputs as well.
Also, yes, it is much harder to distract yourself with a dumbphone if should you find yourself stuck somewhere with someone/something to wait on and nothing to do. Ever since I flashed VU, I've spent more time scrolling the home screens and looking at the animations than anything else. I could easily waste time with this thing even without wireless data or Wi-Fi.
Supamike88 said:
I keep finding myself thinking I could do all this on a cheap phone. What do you use your smartphone for on a daily basis?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh this phone kicks ass...
Why don't you name something you can't do excluding playing Angry Birds in 1080p 3D HD?
Sent from my computer using keyboard
had a very similar conversation with the House Boss shortly after we got our first Android phones, (got snookered with the Samsung Behold2, almost made us go back to regular phones) once we got the MT3G-S we both fell in love with our phones (even though I jumped on the MT4G, needed more power and screen). she loves the keyboard for typing her texts and browsing web, the fact she now has Youtube on the go for watching funny vids and vids of our nieces and nephews, the great calender, games and with Pandora and her SD card no more need for her iPod.
I combine my MT4G and my Acer Iconia A500 Tablet to make my life way easier and much much less cluttered in my 18-wheeler between GPS, calender, notepad/office programs helping me keep everything inline for work and Hulu, Netflix and the games helping entertain me when I'm stuck somewhere and getting bored, I have saved money and was able to shave weight off the crap I carry in the truck allowing more cargo (means more money). Don't really know how I did this for as long as I did before.

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