Google Music - My Take On It!

Okay, let's say you went out and bought a Joshua Radin album and you put it on your iPod.  That's great, you listen to it, enjoy it, then you lose your iPod.  What do you do then?

TO THE CLOUD!!!


Google has done something that Amazon, Apple, and a few others have already done.  Why should anyone be surprised that Google isn't in the thick of things that the people want right now?

So what makes Google Music better/worse than other services?  Well, I don't know much about the iCloud, but I got a beta invite to Google Music and I like it so far.  Amazon limits the total size of free music to 5GB.  You can upgrade for a fee to 20GB, but I'm all about the free stuff.

Google Music limits it's current users to 20,000 songs.  YEP! That's right... 20k!!!  And to get things started, they give you a good bit of music to get your feet wet.

Now, About The Interface


For starters, you have to download the "Music Manager" software to upload your tunes.  I didn't particularly like that, but some things are necessary to keep things under control.  The manager registers your computer and you have up to like 8, I think.  It basically runs the same way Netflix does on their streaming service.

Basically you have a Play/Pause, FWD, BACK, SHUFFLE, REPEAT, THUMBS UP/DOWN, and VOLUME button to play with.  You can see the album cover (if available) and the progress of the song as it goes.  You can also create and even import your playlists.

For testing purposes, I just had it import my iTunes database.  As you can see from the picture, some of the songs have been skipped due to size (it's trying to pull audiobooks too for some reason), corruption, or empty files. After a full 24 hours, I think my whole database should be about uploaded.  Then I can delete all the audiobooks and listen away.  The manager will also load with your computer (if you allow it) and it will look for new music to upload automagically in your watch folders or iTunes database.


OVERALL TAKE ON IT?


I'll keep working with it.  I have one of the pilot CR-48 laptops and I am waiting for a Chrome Store App for it that will make things easier, but for now I can remember music.google.com when I need to go to it.  I also have every intention of getting an Android phone before too long, so then I'll be able to take my music with me in the cloud and save my storage on my phone and memory card for movies, pictures, video, games, apps, etc.

If you can get an invite, try to get one... At least use it for now until they decide on a price.  I understand they plan on charging for this, but we'll see what happens once Apple goes live.  Maybe they'll just interrupt every few songs with a short commercial like Pandora does to keep things free.

Anyway, that's my take.  If you click the Amazon link above, listen to some of the Joshua Radin music.  It's soft, mellow, relaxing, and overall good in that folky sort of way.

Enjoy!

Idahoan Mashed Potato Cups

Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes (single serving cup)

If you've ever tried potatoes in a box, you know it's a tricky thing to find one that's good.  If you've ever tried Idahoan brand, you'll know it can be a little tricky to cook them right, but once you do, you won't hesitate to buy them again.

While I was browsing through the grocery store the other day, I was wandering down the aisle that has all the mac n cheese, potatoes, pasta, etc and I saw in a basket off the shelf these little cups.  They were a dollar a piece, but the special on them this week was Buy One, Get One.  I grabbed two and threw them in the cart and was on my way.

The next day, I was sitting at home and was starting to get hungry for something other than junk food.  I remembered that I had dropped a buck on those potato cups and thought I'd go make some.  I read the instruction, prepared it, ate it, and rather enjoyed it.  Nice and buttery, easy to make, not all that bad for you.

I decided to review this for two reasons.  I know a lot of people can appreciate a quick snack of mashed potatoes and I really enjoyed this one.  Details after the video.

Pros: Quick, easy, cheap, tasty, perfect portions
Cons: A lot of sodium (about a 3rd of DV), potential allergies (Milk, Soy), flatware cleanup is a little tough

This comes highly recommended for a few target groups.  College students who don't always want top ramen and hot pocket, after school snack for high school kids trying to bulk up the old fashioned way, and this is also an amazing side to your work lunch when you bring leftovers that almost require some kind of hearty side.

In conclusion, 4 out of 5 Stars on this one.  I am not a label reader, so the sodium deal is not an issue to me.  Prepackaged foods always are high in sodium and I only put salt on eggs, so I think I'm good with that.  Great snack (I'm eating one now) and is a bit filling when you want something to be.  I might not pay a dollar a piece, but I'd buy the 4 or 6 pack at a cost of like $.75 a piece.


If you want any info on the app I used to convert the microwave times, please click on the link to download it from the Apple Store.  I really like this app, and I have given it 5 Stars in the app store.  If nothing else, please download it (it's free) and rate it 5-Stars for the developer.  MICROWAVE_CONVERTER_APP



If you liked this review, please click an ad or something.  I don't get paid for this, but with enough clicks on ads, I might hahaha  Thanks and if you have any questions, ask away!