Rdio offers new $4 per month hybrid streaming tier to match Rhapsody plan with T-Mobile

Music streaming service Rdio is unveiling a new $4-per-month plan that allows subscribers to save 25 songs to their smartphone for offline listening while getting ad-free Internet radio with unlimited skips.

The plan mimics an offering that rival Rhapsody unveiled with wireless partner T-Mobile last June, except Rdio is offering the price to anyone.

T-Mobile gives away the service to its highest-tier subscribers and reserves the $4 price for its other customers. Otherwise Rhapsody makes the plan available for $5 a month.

It's the latest salvo in the increasingly competitive streaming music space ahead of Apple's expected relaunch of Beats Music next month.

The service, called "Rdio Select," is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa with more countries to be added later.