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Best streaming music service
Pros: broad music catalog, best mobile apps, very polished interface, highest sound quality, unlimited offline cache in mobile devices, innovative radio function
Cons: can't integrate users' personal collection into catalog, basic social options, limited listening in free version
not avail.
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On demand with basic radio functionality
14 million plus
320 kbps (128 kbps on slow connections); 64 kbps mobile default with 320 kbps option
Roku, Google TV, Sonos wireless audio systems, Samsung and LG HDTVs and Blu-ray players, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Jawbone Jambox, Android tablets and smartphones, Logitech Squeezebox, BMW and Mini Cooper
Limited ad-free listening, replenished monthly or increased by sharing music on social media
$5 Basic removes ads and includes support for Roku, Google TV, Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players and LG TVs and Blu-ray players; $10 Primo subscription includes Basic benefits plus streaming to rest of available supported devices, with offline mode available
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Best radio-format streaming music
Pros: unlimited free radio-style listening, aBC News and ESPN Radio stations, dJ-curated music radio stations, free device support, on-demand listening for Premium subscribers, easy-to- …
Cons: not as many songs as Spotify or MOG, average sound quality, limited social options, limited song skipping in free version
not avail.
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Both; on-demand requires $10 Premium subscription
10 million plus
128 kbps; 64 kbps mobile
BlackBerry, Android, iOS, Palm, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, Symbian, Logitech Squeezebox, select Sony HDTVs and Blu-ray players, Sonos wireless audio system, Acoustic Research Infinite Radio
Unlimited ad-supported radio-style music with limited hourly song skipping
$4 Plus plan removes ads and song skip limits, introduces offline caching option for mobile phones and ABC/ESPN radio stations; $10 Premium plan includes Plus benefits and adds on-demand capabilitiesQ
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Social music-sharing service
Pros: robust social options, collaborative playlists, very good user interface, no ads in free version, over 15 million songs
Cons: slightly less polished than MOG, uneven sound quality, free version has low monthly listening limits, poor sound quality on mobile apps, social options too distracting for some
not avail.
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On-demand with limited radio functionality
15 million plus
"Up to 256 kbps" though experts say it's often lower
Sonos wireless audio systems, Roku box, Android, iOS, limited BlackBerry phones, Windows Phone 7
Limited ad-free listening, replenished monthly
$5 Web plan receives unlimited ad-free streaming through Web interface or standalone client; $10 Unlimited subscription adds device support and offline mode; Unlimited Family modes available