Sony (NYSE: SNE) is bringing part of its curiously-named Qriocity subscription multimedia service to Android, putting it head-to-head with Google’s own new mobile music service.
Music Unlimited – which was already available on Sony gadgets like Blu-ray players, Playstation, PSP and Vaio PCs – is now available on Android for $9.99/£9.99pm (premium) or $3.99/£3.99pm (basic).
The launch is primarily so Sony can offer its subscription service to its own line of Sony Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC) Android phones in its “Xperia” range. But the the Music Unlimited app is also available from Android Market for download and subscription by any Android users.
It is effectively a product of Omnifone, which had previously build a subscription music service for Sony Ericsson’s own, earlier smartphones.
The basic price tier includes limited track playback, no playlist editing and no pre-programmed charts and playlists.