Rdio Social Music Service Launches App for BlackBerry

Today the founders of Skype and KazZaA have released Rdio, a social music service app, for BlackBerry. For $9.99/month, you can access seven million songs, listen to as much as you like.


SAN FRANCISCO – Aug. 3 – Rdio (www.rdio.com), a new way to discover music through people, today took the wraps off its social music service.  With the end of its invitation-only period, Rdio is now available to anyone who wants to enjoy unlimited access to seven million songs either on a desktop or a smartphone.  Rdio recently expanded its music collection through deals with leading independent aggregators and updated mobile applications for the Android and iPhone’s OS 4.0.

“Rdio users love how simple it is to use,” said Drew Larner, CEO for Rdio.  “Imagine having an unlimited online jukebox which shows you what others are listening to – you can enjoy any song you want, as many times as you want, whenever and wherever you want.  The social nature of Rdio means you can discover new songs every time you visit Rdio.”

New Content from Major Indie Aggregators
Building on its content from the major music labels, Rdio recently signed partnerships with major independent music aggregators including IODA, IRIS, Finetunes, INgrooves and The Orchard.  IODA’s collection includes music from the London Symphony Orchestra, Arts & Crafts and Ghostly International, among others.  IRIS brings thousands of tracks to Rdio, including music from labels like Ninja Tune, Chemikal Underground and Metropolis.  The Orchard brings labels including Fania Records, Frenchkiss Records & TVT Records.  INgrooves adds music from Fat Possum, ESL Music & VP Records.

Mobile Apps for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone OS 4.0
Rdio continues to update and enhance its apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry, letting Rdio mobile subscribers listen to their entire collection, add new songs and create new playlists straight from their smartphone.

Taking advantage of the new multi-tasking benefits of iPhone OS 4.0, users can now listen to music while browsing the Web, using other apps or email.  And, Rdio will pause songs during a phone call, and play the song where it left off when the call ends.  Subscribers can sync as many songs and playlists as the phone will allow, to enable playback even when there’s no reception when users are on a plane or traveling underground.

Spin Magazine, The FADER, KCRW Radio and others Connect Fans with New Music
Leading music publications and influencers, including Spin Magazine, Pitchfork, Los Angeles’ KCRW Radio, The FADER and XLR8R Magazine have created Rdio profiles and are connecting fans with their favorite music.

“By taking the work out of what to play next and relying on recognized taste-makers, not computer algorithms, people are going to find new music they like,” said Drew Larner.
KCRW (89.9 FM in LA and KCRW.com), a renowned tastemaker for uncovering new music from around the world, has created a list of DJ picks and recommended albums, which is updated weekly. Spin, one of the leading music magazines, has added close to 4,000 songs and several playlists, including “SPIN's Best Albums of 2010 (so far)” and “Must See Summer Tours.”

Rdio Brings the Music Experience Back to Life
       Rdio, pronounced AR-dee-oh, costs $9.99 per month for unlimited Web and mobile access (including the ability to listen to music and playlists offline), and $4.99 for Web-only access.  Completely ad-free, Rdio is currently available in the United States and Canada. Key features include:
•Play anything you want without paying per tune.  Rdio has music from all of the major labels (EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group) and leading indie aggregators.  Whether you want to listen to the latest Top 40 album or indie artist, Rdio has more than seven million songs in its library.
•Match your iTunes library.  Match music from your iTunes or Windows Media Player collection to instantly build your Rdio library.  Rdio’s matching tool makes it simple and automatic.
•Discover new songs, socially.  Rdio is like Twitter for music.  Follow friends and people with great taste in music to discover new songs and keep your catalog fresh.
•Manage and access your music – no matter where you are.  Discover new songs, update a playlist, and listen to your entire collection no matter where you are.   No cables, no computer hassles.
•Create and listen to collaborative playlists.  Rdio users have created playlists with creative and descriptive names, making it easy to pick a playlist based on your mood.  Rdio takes the effort out of deciding what to listen to next.
•Let Rdio decide what to play next.  Click play on “Artist Radio” to discover music from an artist and others like them.  Rdio can also recommend new music based on artists you like.
•Listen offline.  Add songs to your “offline library” and turn your smartphone into an MP3 player replacement. When you’re on an airplane or without a connection, you can listen to your entire library of songs that you’ve synced to your phone.
•See what’s popular.  Check out the music collection “bubbles” to see what people listen to most. One glance and you’ll see if it’s someone you’d like to follow, and you can see what music you’re playing the most in your own collection.
•Download music.  You can also download songs to keep at an average price of $.99 per track.
Anyone wanting to access Rdio can head straight to www.Rdio.com.  Users have three days of free listening before signing up.

About Rdio:
Rdio brings music alive with its social music service where you can discover music through friends and tastemakers. Rdio takes the work out of deciding what to play next and connects the music in your Web browser with your mobile phone. You can play as many songs you want, anytime, anywhere. Rdio has partnerships with all of the major labels including EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group and several independent aggregators.  Rdio was founded by Janus Friis with Niklas Zennström. Funding was received from Atomico, a leading technology investment group.