A new version of the subscription streaming music service Rdio has launched, bringing with it a native Mac OS X application for the first time. Previous versions were web-based. The new version is available on browsers, and applications Windows, the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7. All versions allow listening to over 15 million tracks on the Rdio service.
The new browser version has been redesigned to look more like the desktop experience. Other improvements include the ability to add entire albums to playlists, faster browsing, better sharing and connection with the user’s social network, along with private playlist creation. The Rdio application for OS X used a 32 percent lower processor utilization than the browser version. Similar testing with Windows revealed 22 percent lower utilization, according to Electronista testing.
The Rdio service is available in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Rdio contains music from Sony, EMI, Warner, and Universal, as well as aggregators INgrooves, The Orchard, IRIS distribution, and Catapult. A radio-like listening option is planned. Rdio was created by Skype creators Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis.
