Streaming Music

There are many apps available that provide just music or music and voice as a 'stream'. Many of these apps have a basic service that is free and add a paid level with more features.

Streaming technologies send the digital data for the music or voice to your computer which reproduces the sound as the data is sent.
The music data is not stored for more than a short time on your device. For instance, you cannot replay the music when your device has no internet access. It is possible however with some apps to download the music to play 'offline' but this is normally a paid subscription service.

Some examples of streaming apps are (as at 2018):

  • Pandora - not available anymore in Australia
  • Spotify - wide range of music with free option
  • Amazon - no free option
  • Apple Music - 30 day free trial
  • Google Play Music - wide range of music with free option
  • Deezer - wide range of music with free option but not on phone
  • Tidal - no free option
  • Slacker Radio (music and voice)
  • Sirius XM Internet Radio (music and voice)

Streaming music usually allows a user to select pieces of music or songs and group them to suit their own listening taste.
This is usually called a playlist. The user may develop playlists on one device and have them synchronised to all their devices.
For instance, use a computer to search and set up playlists then listen to them on computer, tablet or mobile phone.

The phone and tablet will usually use a dedicated app but the computer may access user playlists through a browser.

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