Android iTunes? Music Unlimited launches in US and Australia

Mike Bantick
Friday, 18 February 2011 09:34

Your IT - Entertainment

The Sony music streaming service, Music Unlimited launches today in the US and Australian markets.  The service is a cloud-based subscription plan offering music lovers a way to program their music streaming experience.  Will this be Sony's or Android's  iTunes?

So last week there was a bit of techno-chest-beating as Sony prepared to launch the music streaming service, Music Unlimited into the US, Australian and New Zealand markets.  Local Sony head, Michael Ephraim suggesting that if MU got enough traction, would there be any reason in continuing to have Sony branded music listed in iTunes.

If I was a Sony signed artist I am not sure how happy I would be about this, and Sony has subsequently stated it has no plans to disrupt the current iTunes arrangement.  In the meantime, today is launch day for Music Unlimited in the US and A/NZ.

'Music Unlimited powered by Qriocityâ„¢' is a new, cloud-based, digital music service which gives music lovers access at any time to a constantly growing catalogue of millions of songs from major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music as well as leading independent labels and major publishers worldwide. The "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" catalogue will initially offer about six million songs and will continue to expand over time.

The service debuted in the U.K. and Ireland in December 2010 and became available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain in January 2011, representing one of the fastest global roll-outs ever seen for a digital music service.

Users can play music any time through 'Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity' on a wide variety of Internet-connected Sony devices including Sony's 2010 and 2011 models of network-enabled BRAVIA® TV, Blu-ray Discâ„¢ player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system as well as VAIO and other personal computers.   All existing PlayStation 3 computer entertainment systems in these countries will have access to the service.  It will also become available on a wide range of Sony's portable devices, as well as on Sony and third-party Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.

'As we expand 'Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity' around the globe, it signifies a paradigm shift which redefines the existing music listening experience by revolutionising music access, discovery, integration and personalisation,' said Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products & Services Group, Sony Corporation. 'Through Sony's high quality network-enabled devices, we are focused on delivering dynamic services 'powered by Qriocity' to offer global customers with compelling digital entertainment propositions.'

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