I've navigated the ups and downs of music streaming services over the years—far better than some high-profile feuds, thankfully. After frustrations with Spotify's geo-restrictions on its desktop app, I shifted to web streaming. Then Rdio launched in India with 32 million tracks, a stellar English catalog, and premium ad-free offline access for just $2. I signed up immediately and haven't looked back.
Rdio has transformed my listening habits: more music, weekly album discoveries (lately, Beach House's Pet Sounds via the Inquisitive Podcast), and finally going legal at 23. Artists, consider this my small tribute.
If you're on Rdio and prefer Chrome for its extensions—unlike the basic desktop app lacking plugin or Chromecast support—these six battle-tested tips will optimize your setup.
The Rdio Lyrics extension seamlessly overlays lyrics on the Now Playing screen, swapping the album art. No time-synced scrolling, but it's lightweight and pairs perfectly with tip #5 for a clever workaround.
For superior lyrics, install Play Music Lyrics Fetcher. It supports Rdio and others, popping up smoothly with Musixmatch-style time-synced lyrics—polished and responsive.
Ditch tab-switching with the Mini Rdio Player extension. It delivers a compact popup from the toolbar, plus Chrome notifications for song changes with Back and Next buttons.
Pro tip: Pin your Rdio tab alongside Gmail or Messenger. Use Cmd+2 (Mac) or Ctrl+2 (Windows) for instant access to your second pinned tab.
Take control anywhere with Musicality. Assign custom keyboard shortcuts—ideal for laptops with media keys—to manage Rdio, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Global support eliminates the need for Rdio's desktop app.
Chrome's Rdio casting has been glitchy lately, so I start from my phone and switch to the web app. Rdio shines here: control playback across devices seamlessly, like from phone to PC.
Own a Chromecast? At $35, it's a game-changer. Dive into our Ultimate Chromecast Guide for more.
Bonus hack: Cast the full tab, not Rdio's native player. The interface is plainer, but switch to Now Playing and lyrics appear on your TV—pairing brilliantly with the Rdio Lyrics extension from tip #1. Finally, big-screen lyrics!
A friend recommended Last.fm scrobbling, and it's a breeze: connect your account in Rdio settings. Track your habits and uncover insights (ideas welcome in comments).
Love Rdio on Chrome? Share your top tips in the comments below.
