From the makers of the paid-for music streaming service Rdio comes Vdio, a social TV and movie purchase and rental platform. It initially launched on a subscription-basis but is now open to all in the US and UK.

Users can go online or use the iPad app to sign in, either via Facebook or their email address, to browse, rent and buy digital movies and TV shows – anything from The Life of Pi to Luther.  It also enables users to compile and share playlists of must-see programming with friends or strangers on the platform.

Without a subscription model, unlike streaming services like Netflix, Vdio joins Tescos blinkbox in the rentals and purchases area of digital entertainment in the UK. Services like this might prove more cost-effective for non-fanatic entertainment fans, or seem interesting to those who want to own their content. But, while buying indiviual titles can set users back up to £9.99 and rentals start from £2.89 on Vdio, Tesco comes in at a bargain basement 99p. And the blinkbox app is on iOS and Android tablets too.