Rdio has revised and relaunched its Stations feature for iOS, Android, and the web, and now provides free streaming music for listeners, much like similar services from Spotify, Pandora, and Apple. It follows Rdio’s deal with Cumulus Media, confirmed in mid-September, where the radio station operator now promotes Rdio’s app across its network of more than 550 stations.
Streaming music has always been available through Stations on the Rdio app, but only for subscribers. The feature provides custom playlists based on everything from your history to your favorite artists, right down to who you follow on Twitter. The new, free option isn’t quite so personalized, as it randomly selects songs in pre-built playlists, and plays them ad-free.
Of course, Rdio wants the free Stations option to entice listeners to sign-up for the full experience, which is priced at $5 per month for web-only access, or $10 per month for both web and mobile streaming. A 14-day trial is offered through the mobile app, so you can try out the complete on-demand service, after which it’ll revert to the free option of you don’t pay up.
Rdio’s catalog contains more than 20 million songs, which should be more than enough for it to create some great playlists, and provided you live in the U.S., Canada, or Australia, the ad-free Stations option is live from today. The radio will also work through the web interface, but you’ll be forced to listen to ads selected by Cumulus. Rdio offers its services in 31 countries around the world, so expect a continued rollout of the free streaming radio in the near future.
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