Rdio for Mac brings browser-free cloud music

Latest version of Rdio follows on iPhone and Roku apps, and a $17.5 million funding round

Music subscription service Rdio announced Monday the release of a new native Mac client, so users can listen to Rdio tunes on their computer without firing up the browser. Windows users, your version is “coming soon.”
 
Say goodbye to the browser, because Rdio for Mac lets you explore the service’s entire collection, including new releases, top charts, recommendations, with ease and style. The layout actually feels a lot like iTunes with the added controls of a browser-like experience, leaving little more to be desired. It's simple and effective. Users can even tap the media keys on their Mac’s keyboard to control the music.
 
Probably the coolest thing about the new application for heavy iTunes users is the ability to “match” your iTunes collection. It's not perfect, though. Out of the 26,457 songs in my library, which took no more than ten minutes to scan in its entirety, Rdio added 8,637 to my collection on the service. (Either I have really obscure taste in music or Rdio’s library has some catching up to do; don’t dare blame my tags.)

 
Either way, the application offers a pretty commendable music listening experience. It’s immediately available for download immediately from the Rdio website.
 
Leading up to today's launch, it's been a big thirty-some days for the budding music service.

Rdio just a month ago raised a $17.5 million round of financing from Mangrove Capital Partners with participation from existing investors Janus Friis (Rdio co-founder), tech VC firm Atomico and Skype.

Less than two weeks later, Rdio 1.0 for iPhone launched, delivering an elegant new interface to the Apple smartphone. From the home screen, users can quickly jump from their collection to playlists to the Web queue, see their history or what’s on heavy rotation, or check out the charts and new releases. With a top bar dedicated to search and a bottom bar dedicated to the currently playing track, the app places emphasis on all the right functions.

And to top it off, Rdio for Roku was released last week, signalling the company’s move into home entertainment. Like Pandora, Netflix and other more prominent TV and music entertainment companies, Rdio already realizes the power in making itself available on as many platforms as possible.

Today, that range of availability just grew a little wider.