Pandora Radio CFO Calls Apple a 'Frenemy', Says Service is Coming to CarPlay

Pandora Radio CFO Mike Herring describes Apple as a 'frenemy' and the relationship between the two companies as 'very interesting', in an interview with Fox Business.

With the launch of iTunes Radio and the acquisition of Beats Music, Apple and Pandora are in direct competition for streaming music customers.

Pandora, which owes part of its success to the popularity of its iPhone app, has a “frenemy kind of relationship going on” with Apple, according to Herring. “We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone,” Herring added. While the two companies are “close partners,” it is a “very interesting relationship.”


Although there hasn't been a formal announcement, it's likely the company will release an app for the Apple Watch and Herring says that "we'll definitely be in CarPlay". The could be hugely important for customers as platforms like CarPlay and Android Auto get integrated into millions of vehicles.

While Pandora faces challenges from competitors like Apple, its biggest concern may be an upcoming a decision from the Copyright Royalty Board which will determine what rate digital radio services will pay artists for each song played over the next five years. More details on that at the link below.

You can download Pandora Radio from the App Store for free.

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