Thanks to a recent post over on Techcrunch I was made aware of Pandora, again. I can’t believe I clicked over (checked it out once for a couple of seconds online and then kept clicking) this very useful online application a couple of months ago. I’m kicking myself for not paying closer attention to this little online jewel. Truth be told (still true today), I was simply put off by the interface design/visual design of the application. If these guys were to raise the quality of the UXD they just might get some more users. However, UI aside this application is outstanding.

Pandora, in a nutshell, recommends music (plays streaming music) based on initial input from the user. The user provides the names or songs of artists they currently enjoy and Pandora recommends other artists based on that person’s current taste of music. When I say “recommends” what I mean is Pandora streams music to that person’s computer from the artists he/she currently enjoys, as well as the artist the application recommends. The music is mixed together in a radio station-like format. Meaning, the music is streamed to your computer and the only control you have over the music is to move to the next song. There is no fast-forward, rewind, or playback.

Now, what I believe to be really impressive about Pandora is the feedback the user can give in order to tailor the application to the specific user’s likes and dislikes. You can, in fact, inform the application if you indeed liked its suggestions or if you wish them not to play another second of the music suggested. In this way it starts to narrow down (learn) the music you like, and don’t like. Again, all of this is based off the original suggestions inputted into the application. This functionality is only the tip of the iceberg. If you’re like me, someone who likes music, but hates finding new music, then this little application is for you.

It’s worth a look if you haven’t already used it.