Leading internet radio service Pandora released its 5.0 version for iPad Wednesday, coincidentally the same day that Apple’s iTunes Radio rolled out on the new iOS 7 platform.
In case that sentence reads straight, it was very unlikely an actual coincidence.
Also read: Apple Unveils iTunes Radio at Worldwide Developers Conference
Pandora calls the new version its “biggest redesign” on the tablet app since launching in April 2010. Pandora 5.0 boasts a stronger interface for the large iPad screen, greater personalization, social sharing and more information available on artists and songs.
Pandora Chief Technology Officer and EVP of Product, Tom Conrad said, “The tablet category continues to demonstrate strong growth and momentum, and the iPad’s big touch interface makes it an ideal environment for listeners to seamlessly explore the music they’re listening to and discover new favorites.”
As for Apple’s free Internet radio service, it boasts many of the same functions as Pandora and Spotify, allowing users to customize stations around a song or artist. To keep the lights on though, beyond the ability to “thumbs-up” a track you like, a user can purchase songs that he or she streams with one click. Also, a user can skip commercials by upgrading to the ad-free iTunes Match for $24.99 a year.
iTunes Radio is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Apple TV. The service touts “more than 250 DJ-curated and genre-focused stations.”