andora vs. Satellite Radio Monopoly

For us eclectic, self-styled music listeners (aka music snobs), we don't have a lot of options for listening to genuine music which is tailored to our taste on the road or otherwise.  I tend to quickly get bored of my music collection and I'm always looking for ways to deliver new music to my ears in the most cost efficient way possible.  I went through a phase in High School where I bought every Jazz and Classical CD I could get my little adolescent hands on.  I always assumed it was a great expense as I would transcribe most of the music I listened to.  As you can understand, in this context, popular music gets boring real fast.  Soon enough I had exhausted my miniscule Software Etc. salary on CD's.  Too bad they didn't have something like Pandora back then.  If you have the new 3G enabled iPhone, do yourself a favor and download the free Pandora app.  What is Pandora? (from wiki):

Pandora 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 the individual song choices approval or disapproval which Pandora takes into account for future selections.

If you have some sort of sound input in your car - plug in your iPhone and run the iPhone Pandora app. You now have access to an almost unlimited variety of music for free (minus your regular monthly phone charges).  You can create any number of stations based on songs, artists and even genres you enjoy.  I've had no issues with connectivity driving around Dallas as the 3G network keeps me connected.

Comparing this to other solutions, you might find XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.  XM and Sirius just merged to monopolize the Satellite Radio industry.  Satellite Radio offers 170 digital channels.  Who wants someone else picking the music you listen to for $12.95 a month and limiting you to only 170 channels.  Plus, with Pandora, you're supporting the Music Genome Project.  Read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Genome_Project