How to get Rdio and other music streaming services on your BlackBerry PlayBook

Broaden your music selection and get Rdio on your BlackBerry PlayBook

It’s still kind of a bummer that Rdio and others have yet to make their applications available on the BlackBerry PlayBook, but we can’t sit here as paying customers doing nothing.  So while we let Rdio take their time, a nice PlayBook developer has made a third party browser available to download.  The bonus feature is that with this browser you can change the user agent. For those unfamiliar with a browser user agent, it’s what tells the website if it’s a BlackBerry PlayBook or a BlackBerry Bold 9900.  Follow me after the break for the step-by-step directions on getting Rdio on your PlayBook.

Music streaming services are growing in popularity due to the lack of any physical medium, all you need is your BlackBerry and you are set. Rdio has been at the front of the music streaming services for some time offering two variations of their service. The first offering is at 4.99 for a desktop only experience, then at 9.99 you’ll get both the desktop and mobile options, and for a third pricing tier of 14.99 you get two members with access to the both Mobile and desktop streaming. Once you’ve signed up you are able to stream music to your mobile devices, as well as cache the music for offline listening, so why not have it on your BlackBerry PlayBook too? It’s actually easy and I’ve broken it down into easy to follow steps.

Download SimpleBrowser for your PlayBook

Simple browser is what will allow you to change the user agent and give you access to the Rdio desktop site. You’ll need to go into the settings of the SimpleBrowser app (swipe down from the top bevel).

Download SimpleBrowser for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Change user agent

1. Tap on the settings icon, which looks like a folder icon. 2. Then tap on “set user agent” 3. You’ll want to select either FireFox or IE (internet explorer). I prefer FireFox, but that’s just me.

Enjoy Rdio on your BlackBerry PlayBook

Now all you need to do is head on over to Rdio.com and start enjoying what you pay for. I will note that you can only use the desktop site as they do not offer a mobile version of Rdio, but I've found that it works quite well on the PlayBook.

Of course to get any of this working you will need to subscribe to Rdio, which you can do by visiting Rdio.com. Don't forget, if you have an a better way to get your favourite services like Rdio on the PlayBook head over to the forums and share them there.