Sony Corp. and the world's major record labels are starting their own music streaming service in the U.S. this quarter to challenge Apple Inc.'s iTunes, after years of letting startups license their artists.
"Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity," which Sony unveiled in September, started in the U.K. and Ireland in December and in France, Germany, Italy and Spain this weekend.
It is available on Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, Blu-ray Disc player, Bravia televisions and personal computers, and will be on smart phones using Google Inc.'s Android operating systems.