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Rdio launches free service on iOS, Android
The streaming internet radio battles continue with an announcement today by Rdio that it has launched a free internet radio service in the US, Canada and Australia today. Rdio recently inked a deal with radio station owner Cumulus Media, which will start bearing fruit with the new service, as Rdio's web radio player will feature ads sold by Cumulus Media. The free Rdio app (also available for Android) will not play ads between songs, at least at the present time. Rdio is counting on hooking listeners with the free service, then getting them to sign up for a US$10 monthly subscription that will unlock the ability to select albums and songs directly. The service competes directly with Apple's recently launched iTunes Radio, as well as established internet radio services Pandora and Spotify.
Rdio launches free mobile streaming for users in the US, Canada and Australia
Ad-free, on-demand streaming is coming your way, following the launch of Rdio's new internet radio service for iOS and Android devices called Stations. The AP reports that from today, if you live in the US, Canada or Australia, you can take advantage of free music that has been matched to your taste based on certain genres, artists, songs or albums. The company hopes that you'll like the service so much, you'll pay the $10-a-month subscription to access more than 20 million tracks. It's also a direct play to lure customers away from rivals Spotify, Pandora and Apple's iTunes Radio -- which offer the same radio features in similar markets. Free streaming has been made possible thanks to Rdio's partnership with The Echo Nest. The company also recently partnered with Cumulus Media -- owner of over 570 radio stations in the US -- allowing the operator to begin selling ads and serve them inside Rdio's web player (mobile listeners will not be subjected to ads, for now) . If you're already an Unlimited customer, today's rollout will not affect you -- the US company wants you to enjoy its music catalog sans interruptions. Update: Rdio has rolled out a version 2.5 update to its iOS app that introduces the Free Stations feature mentioned above. It also now lets you share stations on Facebook, Twitter or with any of your pals on Rdio, and you can start new stations based on an album or playlist. While the Free Stations are only available in US, Canada and Australia, users worldwide should enjoy the rest. You can go ahead and download it at the App Store link below.
Daily Update for September 16, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
NYT: Rdio to offer free streaming by year's end, strikes deal with traditional radio company
Having a hard time making it in the internet radio space? Maybe you should take a feather from the cap of a firm that still rides the airwaves. That seems to be Rdio's approach -- according to the New York Times, the company is partnering with Cumulus Media (a company that owns for-real radio stations) to create a free version of its audio streaming service. Rdio will also trade a stake in its parent company, Pulser Media, for chunks of Cumulus programming and promotion on the traditional airwaves. Cumulus will sell ads for Rdio's impending free service, as well as compile playlists from its catalog of syndicated programming. This could buffer Rdio's music library with news and talk shows, which will hopefully give the service a competitive advantage over services like Spotify, Pandora and iTunes Radio. Although the deal doesn't involve a cash exchange, the Times reports the value of Cumulus' services at over $100 million. As for that free Rdio overhaul? It's predicted to be out sometime before the end of the year. The deal will be officially announced on Monday, until then, check out the NYT report at the source link below.
