Qriocity Cloud Music Service Comes To PSP

Convergence is the name of the game this year. While tablets are becoming computers and media players, Sony's PlayStation Portable is becoming more than just a gaming device. Qriocity is a service that has been touted by Sony for some time now, but in the past, it was only on non-mobile devices. But now, it's coming to PSP, and with that comes an entirely new platform. The service is called Music Unlimited Powered by Qriocity, and it serves to let PSP owners "instantly stream songs, create playlists, and received personalized music channels from a catalog of 'over seven million songs' from the Big Four music labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music, as well as independent labels and publishers."

Of course, you'll get the best experience if you have a bunch of Sony devices back home. Owners will be able to play songs through a whole host of Web-connected devices, including the PS3, BRAVIA HDTVs, VAIO notebooks and even Blu-ray players. The highlight of the service is the "cloud" nature, so users will be able to sync through the air in order to have music accessible via their PSP and their other devices. A premium account can be had for free (but only for 30 days) by visiting the QMusic site, and since it's "unlimited," you really can download all you can listen to. Of course, you'll need a Wi-Fi connection for all downloads, streaming and transfers, but that's no issue, now is it?

"Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™" Arrives on the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable)

FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 7, 2011 –SonyNetwork Entertainment today announced that beginning April 14, PlayStation®Portable (PSP™) owners with PlayStation®Network (PSN) IDs will be able to access "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™," a new, cloud-based, digital music service which lets music lovers listen to millions of songs and easily discover new music from major and independent labels from around theworld*. PSP owners can also enjoy a common and synchronized music experience on their PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment systems as well as PCs and other network-enabled Sony devices without the need to manage or transfer music files.

Music Unlimited debuted in the U.K. and Ireland in December 2010 and became available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain in January 2011, then later launched in the United States, Australia and New Zealand in February 2011, representing one of the fastest global rollouts ever seen for a digital music service.

Music Unlimited service gives users the music they want,when they want it. It offers instant streaming access to a catalogue of over seven million songs on any PC or laptop, as well as a variety of Sony devices, including Sony's 2010 and 2011 models of network-enabled BRAVIA® TVs, Blu-Ray Disc™ players, Blu-Ray Disc Home Theatre systems, as well as PlayStation®3, VAIO® laptops, and now the PlayStation®Portable. It will also become available on a wider range of Sony's portable devices, Android-based mobile devices, and other portable devices.
By studying users' listening habits and incorporating their preferences, "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" delivers dozens of personalized music channels uniquely tailored to their tastes, commercial-free and uninterrupted, with unlimited skips. Consumers can try the Premium service free for 30-days. Go to www.qmusic.com for more information.

*Currently accessible on PSP handheld entertainment systems in WiFi network environments