Pandora is a streaming audio desktop application that allows users to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio content on their computer. The application was first released in beta form in late 2009 and has since been updated and improved. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It has been reported that the app has been downloaded over 1 million times since its release. Pandora’s main feature is its ability to stream audio content from various sources including music, podcasts, and video. Additionally, the app offers a variety of features such as search capabilities, offline playback, and automatic playlists. The beta version of Pandora was designed with users in mind and includes features that are specific to this population. For example, the app includes a “likes” tab which allows users to add songs they have listened to before or add new songs to their playlists. Additionally, the app offers a “comment” function which allows users to share their thoughts on any audio content they are listening to.
Installation is pretty straight forward. You will want to install Adobe’s AIR first. I chose to install the AIR and Pandora applications separately. However, they do have a package to download and install both together.
The next step of the installation where you choose location, desktop shortcuts, etc.
Finally the progress bar showing the final installation steps.
Now, we get the familiar login screen for the Pandora service.
After signing in you will notice a small Pandora Icon on the Taskbar. Right click the icon to get a pop up menu. This menu allows quick navigation of different Pandora stations you have. It also will show what track is currently playing.
You will have the familiar station UI with the new Desktop Application.
Along with a few newer features built into the UI below the stations.
Overall I would have to say I am very happy they have created this application for Pandora as it always bothered me to have to have a separate browser open all day when playing it. I think there are several features that can be added. I would love to see some skins for it and also a few other features to make it more functional. Pandora does encourage user input for ideas for the beta program.
Download Pandora Desktop Beta.
