Do you use iTunes Radio?

[Iphone5preorder]

I was excited for this but after using it for a week, I have realized they have a long way to go. The problems I'm running into are...

- repeated songs after clicking "never play this again"

- awful "readings" in the taste of music department. Meaning, just because I listen to Jack Johnson doesn't mean I want to hear matchbox twenty or counting crows? Not only this but I will say "never play this song again" to a matchbox twenty song and it then somewhere in the next five songs, two more matchbox songs come up? Most likely I don't like the artist if I choose "never play this again"

- repeated songs in general. Just now it played three different songs, back to back for each song.



What I like
- amazing quality sound. Way better than Pandora
- functionality is good
- love the way the icons/albums are spread out and how you filter through them



But, in the end, I have to pass on this until they figure it out. It appears Pandra has created something pretty special after all these years but I hope Apple can compete soon. It does seem like they are finally getting advertisers!


Do you use it? If so, what do you like/dislike about it?

If you don't use it, what do you use and why?

 

[kupkakez]

I use it regularly. I much prefer it over Pandora.

 

[Iphone5preorder]

I use it regularly. I much prefer it over Pandora.

Are you not seeing my problems? How often do you use it? I only use it for an hour a day and I see these problems every time.

 

[verwon]

I like it, but have to agree with you on the repeat song issue.

I've had it happen several times where it plays the same ones right in succession. Not ones I've disliked, so far….but it has done it with others.

For example, several times I've ended up with something like this:

Kings of Leon: Sex On Fire
Lorde: Royals
The Lumineers: Hey Ho
Kinds of Leon; Sex on Fire
Lorde: Royals
The Lumineers: Hey Ho

 

[scoop2mylue]

it replaced pandora for me but i still use iheartradio

 

[Blueline29]

I haven't yet but plan on it. Seems like it'd be great during workouts.

 

[kupkakez]

Are you not seeing my problems? How often do you use it? I only use it for an hour a day and I see these problems every time.

I haven't it noticed the problem. I'll listen to it 3-4 hours a day at work. My SO though has claimed he's heard repeated songs after a couple of hours of use.

 

[mylop]

I don't really know what iTunes radio is. I stopped using iTunes when I got Sonos and signed-up to Spotify last christmas.

 

[Iphone5preorder]

I like it, but have to agree with you on the repeat song issue.

I've had it happen several times where it plays the same ones right in succession. Not ones I've disliked, so far….but it has done it with others.

For example, several times I've ended up with something like this:

Kings of Leon: Sex On Fire
Lorde: Royals
The Lumineers: Hey Ho
Kinds of Leon; Sex on Fire
Lorde: Royals
The Lumineers: Hey Ho

I've seen that too. Even worse, I've seen it in this format just today like I mentioned in my post.

Jim bob - John Doe
Jim bob - John Doe
Jane joe- joe jane
Jane joe - joe jane
Bob smith- smith bob
Bob smith- smith bob

Frustrating..

----------

I haven't it noticed the problem. I'll listen to it 3-4 hours a day at work. My SO though has claimed he's heard repeated songs after a couple of hours of use.

Hmmm ok. The problems should be on there way to you then

 

[bobr1952]

Im very happy with it and prefer it over Pandora. I use MOG to listen to new releases to see if I want to buy them but don't care for their radio option. I think Apple did a great job for their first try at this--I'm sure we will see lots of improvements as they feel their way around. I have been mostly listening to their top 100 alternative station and like the mix.

 

[karmamule]

No, because I use full music subscription services. Have used Spotify, Rhapsody, and others, but currently rdio is my favorite for iOS. (I've used Google All Access on Android and really liked it, so will check that out when the iOS client eventually is available.)

In addition to generated playlists I like to be able to listen to specific songs, albums, groups, playlists of my own choosing etc. AND have access to a huge library of songs to pick from. I also like being able to download anything I want for offline listening. rdio also has some cool unique features like generating a "radio station" of music from one particular record label, and when you do an artist-based playlist it lets you pick the ratio of original artist to related artists.

iTunes radio and Pandora just don't have that flexibility, and it is well worth the $10 / month IMO for all that choice.

(And as far as the argument of "If you stop paying $10 all the music goes away", well, I never plan to stop because that $10 a month is way less than I used to spend on CDs or individual songs each month back when I bought my music.)

 

[Statusnone88]

Same issues here OP. I'm sorry to say, but Google All Access is far superior in my opinion. I know it's $120 a year, but the amount I use it well justifies the money. Just need an iOS app and I'll be beyond happy.

Edit: The deal breaker for me is that through my job I get a phone provided to me, and it'll always be an Android device. I get unlimited data as well so it works out so perfect with a service like All Access. But I would like if Google kept their promise and delivered an iOS app.

 

[OneMike]

Only sometimes. I usually just put music on my phone that I listen to. No real need for radio.

 

[R.Stoychev]

Not available in my country

 

[antiprotest]

Im very happy with it and prefer it over Pandora. I use MOG to listen to new releases to see if I want to buy them but don't care for their radio option. I think Apple did a great job for their first try at this--I'm sure we will see lots of improvements as they feel their way around. I have been mostly listening to their top 100 alternative station and like the mix.

I also prefer it over Pandora.

Side issue: I think the new Pandora icon is ugly.

 

[Iphone5preorder]

No, because I use full music subscription services. Have used Spotify, Rhapsody, and others, but currently rdio is my favorite for iOS. (I've used Google All Access on Android and really liked it, so will check that out when the iOS client eventually is available.)

In addition to generated playlists I like to be able to listen to specific songs, albums, groups, playlists of my own choosing etc. AND have access to a huge library of songs to pick from. I also like being able to download anything I want for offline listening. rdio also has some cool unique features like generating a "radio station" of music from one particular record label, and when you do an artist-based playlist it lets you pick the ratio of original artist to related artists.

iTunes radio and Pandora just don't have that flexibility, and it is well worth the $10 / month IMO for all that choice.

(And as far as the argument of "If you stop paying $10 all the music goes away", well, I never plan to stop because that $10 a month is way less than I used to spend on CDs or individual songs each month back when I bought my music.)

This sounds amazing. Thanks for the post. Going to check this out!



Edit: using rdio now! Forget pandora!!

 

[verwon]

I've seen that too. Even worse, I've seen it in this format just today like I mentioned in my post.

Jim bob - John Doe
Jim bob - John Doe
Jane joe- joe jane
Jane joe - joe jane
Bob smith- smith bob
Bob smith- smith bob

Frustrating..

----------



Hmmm ok. The problems should be on there way to you then

EEK! Yeah, that is even worse!

 

[karmamule]

This sounds amazing. Thanks for the post. Going to check this out!

Cool, hope you like it! rdio has a lovely UI too, IMO. Takes a bit to figure out what's a side swipe vs. swipe up or down, but once you do it flows pretty well. Also, pressing and holding on playing album or song brings up lots of options.

Let me know if you have any questions, I've been using it on various platforms (desktop, android) for a while so know it pretty well. Have fun!

 

[kupkakez]

No, because I use full music subscription services. Have used Spotify, Rhapsody, and others, but currently rdio is my favorite for iOS. (I've used Google All Access on Android and really liked it, so will check that out when the iOS client eventually is available.)

In addition to generated playlists I like to be able to listen to specific songs, albums, groups, playlists of my own choosing etc. AND have access to a huge library of songs to pick from. I also like being able to download anything I want for offline listening. rdio also has some cool unique features like generating a "radio station" of music from one particular record label, and when you do an artist-based playlist it lets you pick the ratio of original artist to related artists.

.........

I also subscribe to Spotify because like yourself I like making playlists and listening to what I want to listen to. I also was spending a ton of money on music through iTunes and it's MUCH cheaper to just do the $10 a month and have access to most everything I'd listen to.

I use iTunes Radio just when I have no clue what I want to listen to, which happens to be frequently at work.

 

[adam044]

Pandora

 

[Jimbo47]

If I put it on a top 100 station, very rarely are any of the songs relevant to that. I end up closing it and using spotify which I prefer over that or pandora.

 

[appleii.c]

Yes and I actually like it a lot. I haven't gotten extensive use out of it so the repeat songs haven't been that noticeable (but I have noticed an occasional repeat). But when I want to listen to something that isn't in my catalog, i turn on the iTunes radio. Ive been very impressed with the quality of the sound. I'm sure there will be constant improvement as time goes on. But overall, i think it was a pretty good first effort.

 

[rhett7660]

I haven't had the repeating songs, or I should say I haven't noticed them yet. I have been listening on and off since it came out.

I haven't used any of the per-poluated/configured stations yet though. I created two and have been listening to them.

 

[karmamule]

I also subscribe to Spotify because like yourself I like making playlists and listening to what I want to listen to. I also was spending a ton of money on music through iTunes and it's MUCH cheaper to just do the $10 a month and have access to most everything I'd listen to.

I use iTunes Radio just when I have no clue what I want to listen to, which happens to be frequently at work.

Yeah Spotify is pretty good too. I went with rdio because they have the 'My Collection' idea so you can add songs to your music library w/o having to be in a playlist (and you can search by artist/album/song), and they have discounts if you do a "family" account (e.g. two people for $19/month, three people for $23/month or something like that).

Spotify does have a slightly larger catalog from what I can tell, and seems to usually get new releases a day or two earlier, and on the desktop side the "apps" they have are lots of fun. Close call but when I saw how pretty rdio was on iOS that tipped me over the line!

 

[Apple Fan 21]

I hate how much data it eats up. 2X's as much as Slacker Radio. Wish iTunes Radio had a "cache" system like slacker so I could do that when home on WiFi. Would be a good service for iTunes Match users.