Rdio is in Aus

[Belial]

If you're interested in streaming music services, rdio.com is the first (AFAIK) to hit Aus with a decent catalog and local/offline caching.

I'm a couple of days into the 7 day trial and it's pretty incredible. I'm still not entirely sold on the streaming idea, but so far it's been nothing but a positive experience.

Of course, I have no idea what quality they're ripping/streaming, and if I'm broke one month I lose access. But for the price of 6 CDs/year, I think I'm gonna give it a go.

Ben

[Riverback]

I usually just use Grooveshark since its free and because Pandora isn't available in Aus ><

I'm still looking for something that can give decent recommendations.

[Belial]

I use grooveshark on occasion, but it's one (small) step above flat out piracy, and thier catalog is a mess.

Ben

[mallethead]

SOMA FM out of San Francisco.
About 10 different genres- groove, ambient, desi, downtempo/chill, acid jazz, nu jazz.
I make a donation each year and you get a free t-shirt. MP3 128kb/s.

[Belial]

But I assume that's like radio, where you don't get to choose the content, or store it locally?

Ben

[DevenK]

I haven't checked out Rdio yet, but I have been using Spotify for the last couple weeks.

It hasn't launched in Aus as yet but you can download and install the client by using a proxy, I used TunnelBear. It seems that the client only checks your location on the first launch, I haven't had to use a proxy after launching it the first time. I found a tutorial to get it working and can post the link if you'd like to give it a go.

Their library is pretty good and the free account, which does play ads occasionally, streams at 160kbps. You can go for an unlimited account for $5 US a month for ad free. The premium account will get you offline caching.

[Belial]

Yeah, spotify sounds pretty promising. Cheaper than rdio by a significant amount. But I think I'll for out the measly $13/mth for it until spotify is here officially (assuming it's good enough that I want to switch).

Ben

[grahamnp]

Quite pleased about this. I was using Pandora when it was in open beta only to have them kick all non-US citizens off when they went out of beta. They still send me emails about how awesome they're becoming!

Hopefully more services expand internationally as well.

[Marcus]

I miss Pandora - that and Audiogalaxy increased my (legit, bought) music collection tenfold.

[Riverback]

I miss Pandora - that and Audiogalaxy increased my (legit, bought) music collection tenfold.

Do you still use Amazon to buy music? Kinda stopped after their last shipment looked like it got run over by a truck. Sadly cardboard envelopes can't save the CD cases from AusPost/Royal Mail

[Marcus]

Funny you should ask that - I just received my amazon uk book shipment and it has been a bit Ace Ventura'd on the way to me, I may have to put a complaint in as quite a few of the books got to me looking less than new - you can probably do the same for CDs if the cases are smashed.

I'm a little precious when it comes to books, though.

[Riverback]

I usually get my books from Book Depository. They don't ask for a signature but it gets here faster than Amazon UK

[mallethead]

But I assume that's like radio, where you don't get to choose the content, or store it locally?

Ben

Ah yes.... I was clearly on the wrong track

[barbz]

I signed up for a trial for my sonos yesterday, there is alot more music on rdio compared to songl, but not all songs on rdio are licensed for use in Australia yet.

Not sure what bitrate for rdio but songl is 320.

Paul