Katie Marsal"Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" is a cloud-based digital music service. Unlike iTunes, users do not purchase and download tracks. Instead, they stream them.
The service is not available on portable devices, meaning users can't take their music on the go. The service debuted Wednesday in Ireland and the U.K., and will launch in the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand in 2011.
Kazuo Hirai, executive vice president of Sony, said the initial focus of the product is to enhance the appeal of Sony products versus competitors like Apple and Microsoft, according to The Associated Press. But he said "over time" the service would need to "stand on its own."
"We realized if we were playing catch-up with the same (iTunes) model, it would be difficult to appear to users," Hirai said.
The Music Unlimited service allows users to play music from a variety of Internet-connected Sony devices such as Bravia TVs, Blu-ray disc players, and the PlayStation 3 gaming console.
"As we continue 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 Hirai said in a press release. "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 announced its plans to take on iTunes in November, when the endeavor was then tentatively named the "Sony Online Service." The company allegedly plans, at some point in the future, to allow independent software developers to create applications for the service, much like Apple's iPhone App Store.
Sony competes with Apple in a number of markets, including MP3 players, portable games, computers and living room media players, but the company has struggled in many of its businesses of late. Last year, Sony lost $2.6 billion.
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45 Comments
Hmm. "iTunes". "Qriocity".
Which one would YOU rather pronounce?
I think they're trolling. No one could be this stupid. Not available on portable devices, streaming, and designed for integrated devices? Really. I'd love my fridge to stream music.
Hmm. "iTunes". "Qriocity".
Which one would YOU rather pronounce?
I think they're trolling. No one could be this stupid. Not available on portable devices, streaming, and designed for integrated devices? Really. I'd love my fridge to stream music.
I think it's pronounced like "curiosity".
That said, I wonder if it'll have the same old Sony-can't-write-shit-for-software disease that has caused me to toss any free software that comes with all the Sony consumer hardware products that I've ever purchased.
So they're taking on iTunes by pushing out a service nothing like iTunes?
Did they ever blatantly say they were taking on iTunes, or has this just been assumed by AI?
Hmm. "iTunes". "Qriocity".
Which one would YOU rather pronounce?
Queer City ?
My Sony Blu-ray player does have some nice streaming features. If I wanted to stream my computer to my stereo system, I would have had to buy another Apple Express box for $99. For $138, I bought a Blu-ray player (S570) that had Wi-Fi built in. That enables me, among other things, to stream Pandora through my stereo system.
Although I haven't used it yet, it also has support for Amazon and NetFlix video streaming. I think that makes sense, although I think the CE industry needs to make up its mind whether this functionality belongs in the players, in the A/V receivers or in the HDTVs. They're currently putting this functionality in all three places redundantly, which is not only a waste, but confusing.
But having to pay for a sub to stream music that can't go to an MP3 player or smartphone? That's a disaster.