14 DAY TRIAL // Given the huge success Apple's iTunes + iPod/iPhone/iPad business model has enjoyed over the past couple of years, it should come as no surprise that other companies have decided to adopt a similar path, one of the most important being none other than Sony, who's just launched the “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” a new, cloud-based, digital music service which gives music lovers access at anytime to millions of songs. Through “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,” that will have an initial library of around 6-million songs, users can play music anytime onto a wide variety of Internet connected Sony devices including Sony’s 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA TV, Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system as well as VAIO and other personal computers.
It will also become available on a wide range of Sony’s portable devices, as well as on Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.
Sony has developed “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” in partnership with Omnifone, a leading provider of cloud-based unlimited music services, with Omnifone contracted by Sony to coordinate content licensing, development and delivery of the service; leveraging its existing expertise in the music industry.
Unfortunately, the “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” will initially be available only in the U.K. and Ireland with service availability in other markets including the US. Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand to be announced in due course during 2011.
Two types of monthly subscription plans will be available, namely Basic (£3.99 in the U.K. and 3.99 Euros in Ireland) and Premium (£9.99 in the U.K. and 9.99 Euros in Ireland).
The basic plan permits unlimited forward skipping of the songs to ensure users discover music they want to hear. While the premium subscription plan offers a onetime 30 day Premium free trial enabling users to listen in full to every song on demand, create personal playlists of favorites, and gain access to premium Top 100 channels which are regularly updated with the latest hits.
By studying users’ listening habits, incorporating their ‘like/dislike’ song ratings, analyzing their existing music collections and more, “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” adapts to users’ music preferences and constantly tailors music channels to offer the most compatible and enjoyable list of songs.
Furthermore, users can also synchronize their existing music files and playlists from other media players including iTunes into “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,” and enjoy their existing music at any time across all compatible devices.
“As we start to expand Qriocity globally, these services ‘powered by Qriocity’ offer a single ID log-in and wallet solution, and empower users to easily consume content including music and video across a growing number of integrated devices,” said Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products & Services Group, Sony Corporation.
“Seamless accessibility to content through these fresh user experiences will enrich Sony’s network service offerings and continually add value to the unique aspects of Sony’s network-enabled products,” Sony's official concluded.