Sony Ericsson launches music download service

MORE UNLIMITED music downloads, brought to you this time by mobile company Sony Ericsson which announced yesterday the launch of Playnow Plus.

This music service will be powered by Omnifone and will apparently feature music from all four of the current recording label giants.

Sony Ericsson’s Playnow Plus service will compete with mobile rival Nokia’s Comes with Music service which was launched earlier this year – although Sony Ericsson seem to be relaxed as it believes it can offer more – EMI is yet to join Nokia’s service.

Although Sony Ericsson will offer more in quality, the quantity seems to be its downfall as users can download up to five million songs which are wrapped in digital rights software, and will only be able to keep them for the length of their contract.

Nokia however allows users to download as much music as they want for the 12 month contract and keep those songs forever.

Both services, although in competition with each other, are working towards the same goal – to help boost the sagging music subscription market by offering a range of music for a one-off monthly fee.

Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow service will be launched in a few weeks - roll it out in other countries will begin in 2009.µ