These days streaming music from the Internet is actually a workable solution here in South Africa, which basically translates into a whole lot more music choice for you and I, the end user. I’ve been using a particular music streaming service for a while now, and seeing as it is pretty much perfect as far as what I’m concerned, I thought it high time I give it the plug it so richly deserves.
From Wikipedia, Rdio (damn it, stop dropping perfectly good letters to come up with hip names Internet service people!) is an online music service that offers ad-supported free streaming service and ad-free subscription services in 60 countries. It is available as a website and also has clients for the iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone mobile devices, which can play streaming music or cache songs for offline playback. There are also clients for the Roku and Sonos systems. The web-based service also offers a native desktop client application for Mac OS X and Windows. Its library has content from the four major record labels, as well as the Merlin Network and the aggregators IODA, INgrooves, The Orchard, CD Baby, IRIS Distribution, BFM Digital, Finetunes, and Catapult. Rdio also offers social networking, allowing users to share playlists and follow others to see what music they listen to.
I primarily use it on my laptop to listen to music whilst I work, and I have to say, the interface is clean, snappy, and makes for easy use. What is particularly nice is their station algorithms that essentially automatically builds custom playlists based on the type of music you listen to. So for example, if you listen to a Jack Parow album, don’t be surprised when immediately following its end, you’re blasted with Dutch rap tunes. I’ve given it a fair spin and the station algorithm has yet to let me down!
However, the biggest plus in my opinion is the localisation. Because it is officially launched in South Africa, you all of a sudden have full access to a plethora of South Africa artists, which in my case means instant access to both English and Afrikaans rockstars, be it the classic Springbok Nude Girls, Sugardrive or Fokofpolisiekar, to maybe something a little newer like Van Coke Kartel or the excellent Woodstock Mafia.
Hell, I can even give good old Robbie Wessels a spin if I feel like a chuckle.
And to top it all off, their selection of obscure, difficult to find musicians is also pretty top notch I have to say.
Rdio a subscription based model, but to date I’m still running under the free plan after a couple of months with absolutely no restrictions at all. Have to say, I’m liking this one a lot!
Related Link: http://www.rdio.com/