Does the PS3 Have a Web-Based Music Player?

Music Unlimited

• Music Unlimited -- a Web-based music player for the Sony PlayStation 3 -- was released in the United States on February 17, 2011. You can either subscribe to the premium version of Music Unlimited -- which allows you access to special features -- or the basic version, which denies you access to special features. Music Unlimited is quite similar to Pandora, another Web-based music station, that allows you to enjoy streaming music over an Internet connection. Music Unlimited features over 7 million songs from both independent labels and major recording labels.

The Basic Plan

• If you subscribe to the basic plan of Music Unlimited -- which will cost you $3.99 a month as of the date of publication -- you will receive unlimited access to online radio stations, all of which are commercial-free. You can also create channels that relate to a specific genre of music, style of music, era of music or mood of music. However, you will not be able to create a specific playlist of music -- like you can with an iPod -- nor will you have access to every song that Music Unlimited offers. You can create an account for Music Unlimited through the PlayStation Network. Your credit card will be charged once a month, but you can cancel at any time without fee.

The Premium Plan

• For $9.99 a month, you can subscribe to the premium version of Music Unlimited, which allows you to stream all 7 million songs offered. The premium version allows you to create a playlist, mark your favorite tracks, create a music library and download your favorite tracks or albums. Your library can be separated into artist, genre of music and album. You will have access to music channels not supported by the basic plan, such as the Global Top 100 channel, the Top Pop 100 channel and channels dedicated to certain eras of music such as the 1950s and 1960s. Music Unlimited will also create a playlist for you based upon your taste.

Interesting Facts

• When the PlayStation Network was hacked, Sony gave owners of the PlayStation 3 six free months of Music Unlimited as a way of making amends. Outside of the United States, Music Unlimited can be used in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Music Unlimited is powered by Qriocity -- a music-streaming service -- and is also available on the PSP, VAIO laptops, Android phones and Bravia HDTVs. With a cloud server, you can upload your entire music library from your PC onto Music Unlimited.