Review: Sony Xperia Ion for AT&T
The Ion is packed with media options. First, Sony reskinned the stock Android music and video player apps. They both offer basic playback functionality of music and videos, but look nicer than the stock apps. The stock, Google-run Google Play Music and Google Play Movies content stores are both on board for your music and movie purchasing/renting needs. These are the same apps found on most new Android devices.
Then there's Sony Music Unlimited and Sony Videos Unlimited. These are content services run by the Sony Entertainment Network. Oddly, you can't create an account from the Ion. You have to use the Sony web site (or use an existing PlayStation Network account) to gain access to the apps. Once you do, $10 per month buys the user unlimited music streaming each month via Music Unlimited. The service can cache playlists on the device for offline playback and offers tons more features. The Movies Unlimited service offers movie rentals. Pricing for the rentals has yet to be determined. These services have an incredible wealth of content, and are not limited to Sony's content. The Movies Unlimited offering, for example, will have access to new rentals before Netflix, according to Sony.
Beyond these options, the Ion includes AT&T Live TV (a for-pay streaming video service) and an FM radio. Of course, there's also the entire Google Play Store to comb through, where thousands of media apps are available.
Hands-On: Sony Xperia Ion
Sony Xperia ion
