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Inside the new music streaming service Rdio, quick review and gallery
First, it's entirely Web-based, with a very lightweight almost-no-features Adobe AIR app providing desktop access. The Web interface is seriously slick: a music player occupies the left, and fancy AJAX updates the right. Much to my delight, even back and forwards navigation works! (It's about time an AJAX site made it work...)
Second, I can confirm there's a lot of music available. Still no Beatles though! It'a a breeze to create collections, playlists, or download music. It actually feels a lot like Last.fm, but with a more responsive interface.
Third, the recommendation engine is pretty good. I wonder if they coded it themselves or licensed something from Last.fm or Pandora.
Finally... the social aspect! This really is Spotify meets Last.fm. You can see your entire music listening history (pretty cool) -- but you can also see your friends' entire history (a bit scary).
The only bad thing, other than the very feature-light desktop app (you actually queue stuff up on the website, then use the desktop app to control it), is the least generous beta testing invite EVER. I have a grand total of THREE DAYS to try out Rdio before I have to subscribe. Web-only subscription costs $4.99/month, incidentally. It's $9.99/month for mobile phone syncing.
Anyway, take a look through the gallery of high-res screenshots. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have -- just leave a comment!
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsLaurenJun 7th 2010 2:04PM
It's music "streaming" - is it essentially like Ruckus in that regard? We don't actually own the music after downloading, correct?
Sebastian AnthonyJun 7th 2010 2:17PM
I can't download anything -- because I haven't paid the monthly subscription!
As far as I know, you own the music, and it's not DRM-crippled.
RobJun 7th 2010 2:30PM
Where are our private beta invites :)
NoahJun 8th 2010 2:35PM
Ditto.
jbarksJun 7th 2010 3:26PM
How does it stack up against spotify?
BenJun 7th 2010 3:39PM
Wait, wait, I'm still confused, can you or can't you download music files? Can you only download with the $9.99 a month plan? How does that work? Why is this better than Grooveshark or Spotify? I is confused and inviteless....
Sebastian AnthonyJun 7th 2010 5:17PM
From what I can tell, you pay extra for the 'mobile sync' option -- which I presume copies MP3s to your phone.
Upon further thought, I THINK the 'buy album' option never goes away...
I guess you could get the MP3s off your phone though...
BenJun 7th 2010 7:40PM
Ok, so I got in. Anyway, the phone syncing thing is an app (and Grooveshark wasn't approved!?) only on iOS (ha see, I'm cutting edge) devices and Blackberry, as in NO ANDROID!
jim boJun 11th 2010 12:23AM
The service is unlimited streaming on web for $4.99/mo and unlimited streaming on web and capable smartphone (iphone/ipod touch, blackberry, and android coming soon) for $9.99/mo. With the mobile plan you are also able to wirelessly synchronize as many songs as you can fit on your device's memory for offline listening. For these subscriptions you have to maintain paying your subscription in order to keep listening to this stuff. That said they do have the ability to actually purchase mp3 albums and songs to keep forever, but you have to buy them separate from your subscription price. They run the typical digital music (i.e. same as itunes) prices.
Sebastian AnthonyJun 11th 2010 6:42AM
What format is the music that gets sync'd to your phone then? Is it some DRM format?