Rdio to start with local music caching on phones

The former founders of Kazaa today launched Rdio (link ready soon), their first fully legal music service. Like some of its competitors, it promises per-track streaming both on the web and on mobile devices like the BlackBerry and iPhone for a fee. Rdio promises to break from the conventional formula by letting fellow users share word of what they're listening to, see the top songs on the network in a "heavy rotation" list, and make tracks public on Facebook or Twitter.

In the long term, the company has said it may differentiate further through a deal with Skype, although how the VoIP service would link up with Rdio isn't known apart from distribution deals.

A beta version of the necessary companion app is already available for the iPhone (free, App Store) and should be on BlackBerry App World as well. Basic web-only service will cost $5 per month, but using either of the current mobile platforms requires $10 per month.

By Electronista Staff