Sony has released a new streaming music app for Google Android smartphones. It’s called Music Unlimited and it’s powered by the company’s Qriocity streaming music service.
The app is available as a free download from the Android Market, but you’ll need to sign up for a monthly subscription plan to actually stream any music. Sony is offering free 30-day trials, but if you forget to cancel by the end of the month you could find $3.99 to $9.99 on your bill.
The lower priced service allows you to tune into ad-free streaming music channels sorted by genre, era, or mood. The service can also scan your existing music files and allow you to tune into those tracks from any device. Sony calls this service Music Sync. Apple calls it iTunes Match. It’s six of one, a half dozen of the other.
If you spring for the $9.99 per month plan you can listen to any of 7 million songs in the Qriocity library from Universal, Sony, Warner, and EMI as well as indie labels. There are also premium channels and a few other goodies for premium subscribers.
Sony’s Qriocity service is available in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain.
The international reach helps set Music Unlimited apart from some of its competitors. But mobile internet radio and music-on-demand apps are becoming a dime a dozen. Rhapsody, MOG, Rdio, mSpot, Slacker, and Pandora all offer similar services.
