Pandora's streaming-radio service, through which customers can build their own radio stations using their music preferences, has made it one of the few companies to enjoy lasting popularity in online music streaming. It has 54.9 million active users, far more than its peers. Apple is expected to be a formidable rival in the arena since it has a large presence in online music sales.
"The 800-pound gorilla is pounding his chest, and people are starting to get nervous," said Richard Tullo, an analyst with Albert Fried & Co. "Apple has big competitive advantages. It already has a big reputation in the music industry." Pandora's service is offered on an application for iPhones and other Apple products. Mr. Tullo said Apple hardware is one of the largest platforms for Pandora's service.
Story here. Apple may wish to consult with its friends at Microsoft as it prepares itself for further antitrust scrutiny. U.S. antitrust enforcement authorities (i.e., DOJ and FTC) have still not abandoned fully their past theory that increasing size and scope of a company is a per se violation of antitrust law.