Will Sony's Digital Music Venture Prove Unlimited?

Digital music downloads are on the rise so it makes sense that more and more companies want a piece of the pie. In 2010, digital downloads were up 12% in 2009 and profits reach $4.2 billion worldwide. Here in the U.S. we’re probably familiar with the big names like iTunes, Amazon, Beatport, etc. when we think to download mp3’s. But we also have digital music subscriptions to consider. Rhapsody and Napster are two companies that offer music subscriptions for purchase although the sites have not really become mainstream. MySpace Music, YouTube, Grooveshark, and Lastfm, just to name a few, are sites that the public can use to listen to songs for free. Sony now hopes to capture some of the market as the music industry continues to go digital.

What is Sony thinking?

Sony’s Unlimited powered by Qriocity hopes to be the next step in the evolution of digital music services. This cloud-based digital music service will offer millions of songs and video to subscribers with Sony products (i.e., Sony Viaos, PS3s, Bravia TVs). The media catalogue will include roughly 6 million songs and videos from major labels. The list will of course grow after the initial launch.

Subscriptions are inexpensive and as it stands now there are two from which to choose. The lesser of the two subscriptions allows users to create a streaming personalized radio station. The premium subscription will allow customers to create playlists and listen to songs on demand.

Sounds oddly familiar to me

So don't we already have music subscription services out there? What will set this apart from the competition? The service will only be offered at first for Sony devices. And 6 million songs? I think I have that many mp3s on my phone. That also brings up a good point. I have access to free and legal music via smart phone so long as I have a decent connection to the internet (just as one would require for accessing Unlimited's music library). Featuring music from the major labels is great for the masses but is limited.

This service will hopefully help in turning around the decline in music sales and lessen the piracy efforts. However, I am not convinced at this time that Sony’s Unlimited will take much of the digital music pie. Not yet at least. People still want to own their own music. And at the very least, people want to incorporate their digital music libraries and that’s something that will not be possible with Sony’s Unlimited. Not yet at least.