Microsoft rumored to be pursuing Rdio

A new rumor claims that Microsoft is in talks to acquire Rdio, the audio streaming company that was launched in 2010 by the co-founders of Skype, which was bought by Microsoft in 2011.

Is Microsoft about to buy a company founded by the people who also launched Skype? That's the newest rumor today from The Next Web, which reports, via unnamed sources, that Microsoft is in acquisition talks to purchase Rdio, the streaming music and audio service.

The article doesn't reveal any more information about this possible deal. Microsoft has yet to give an official comment and Rdio CEO Drew Larner is quoted as saying that he won't "comment on rumors."

Rdio, based in San Fransisco, launched to the general public in August 2010 and gives its users access to 18 million songs via online streaming. There are a number of Rdio mobile apps available, including one for Windows Phone owners.

More importantly, Rdio was founded by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, who also launched Skype. Microsoft famously acquired Skype in October 2011 for $8.5 billion and since then Microsoft has been integrating Skype's VoIP software and services into many of Microsoft's products.

Microsoft could be looking for some content for the company's upcoming Xbox Music streaming service. The company has not revealed much about the service, but it could launch alongside Windows 8 on October 26th.

Source: The Next Web | Image via Rdio