Google’s Android devices aren’t iPhones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your music on them. As Android devices are also MP3 players, the ability to run a great deal of multimedia content on the phone is a viable option. Without the handy integration of iTunes, however, the process can seem a little byzantine.
Here are some Android apps that make it simpler to access and enjoy music on your Android device.
Getting Music
While the Android doesn’t come with a mobile music store, many Android devices come with the Amazon MP3 Store pre-installed. The free Android app can’t be found in the Android Market, but it is the closest thing to iTunes for your Android device. Search, preview and download songs to your phone, sync them with your Amazon account, and rock on.
The Meridian Media Player is a pretty nifty way to enjoy all of the media content you have on your Android phone. The free Android app runs your music and videos and photos in one app. Any artist’s information (i.e., album art) included with your content will also be included in the player, giving you a sleek interface for enjoying your multimedia content.
Pandora Radio on your Android phone can make just about any situation better. The free Android app streams music based on your preferences, and is linked to its Web-based service, making it easy to pick up where you left off. Pandora also helps you discover new music as well. Voting, artist information and purchasing options are also integrated into the Android app.
Imeem’s free Android app offers streaming radio as well, with a social twist to its network. The mobile app is different from the Imeem Web site in that the Android app is geared towards mobile access to your uploaded content. Now you can listen to it anytime, turning your Android phone into something more like an iPod.
iTunes Lovers
For actual iTunes “scrobbling” (which is the technical term for sharing your — and being able to access others’ — iTunes content), try the Last.fm Android app. The free Last.fm Android app gives you access to your iTunes library, along with others’ that have shared their content. The end result is a streaming radio service that also recommends content. Share your music preferences and stations with friends across Facebook, Twitter and more. One thing — you can only stream an iTunes song once, or only listen to a portion of a song. You also can’t download someone else’s iTunes song onto your Android device.
Grooveshark also relies on the collective efforts of its users, creating a large library of music content you can stream. The free Android app from Grooveshark grants mobile access to your online library while on the go. Search songs, create and manage playlists, and rock out.
If you’d like even more direct interaction with your iTunes, the $9.95 nuTsie iTunes Music Player may be worth the high cost of the Android app. Bringing your actual iTunes library to your Android phone may offer reprieve from iPhone domination, though even nuTsie can’t completely recreate the interface and navigation found on Apple MP3 players.
Music Extras
TuneWiki adds subtitles to music and video content, adding a bit of context to songs on your Android phone. The free Android app supports more than 40 languages and offers lyrics to millions of songs. TuneWiki also has a social component, with Facebook and Twitter integration.
Need to know what song that is playing in the background? Open the Shazam Android app and it will identify the song. The free Android app takes about five seconds to recognize the song playing. Receive artist information and options for purchasing the song as well.
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