Pandora (Music Service)

Pandora Radio is an automated music recommendation and Internet radio service created by the Music Genome Project. Users enter a song or artist that they enjoy, and the service responds by playing selections that are musically similar. Users provide feedback on approval or disapproval — which Pandora takes into account for future selections.

While listening, users are offered the ability to buy the songs or albums at Amazon MP3, Amazon.com (for CDs), or iTunes Store. Over 400 different musical attributes (see List of Music Genome Project attributes) are considered when selecting the next song. These 400 attributes are combined into larger groups called focus traits. There are 2,000 focus traits. Examples of these are rhythm syncopation, key tonality, vocal harmonies and displayed instrumental proficiency.

The Pandora media player is based on OpenLaszlo, allowing for simple cross-platform portability; it plays through a browser. Pandora can be listened to through any Slim Devices' or Sonos product(s). On July 11, 2008, Pandora launched a mobile version of their software available on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch through the iTunes App Store. MSN Radio used Pandora up until June 18, 2008, which was launched two years before.

The service has two subscription plans: a free subscription supported by advertisements and a fee-based subscription without ads. There are also advertisements in "Pandora Mobile" for mobile phones and the "Pandora in The Home" computer appliance. On November 15, 2007, the service introduced "Pandora Classical"[3], incorporating classical music from the baroque period to the contemporary period into its Music Genome Project.