BBerry Slacker and MySpace

Research in Motion continued a string of announcements today by revealing that the BlackBerry would get extra media and Internet features through a trio of new deals. In addition to the earlier TiVo deal, RIM today said that Internet radio outlet Slacker would release an app that streams audio from both its free, limited-control service and its paid Premium subscription service. Users will have the ability to favorite or turn down tracks and skip a varying number of times depending on their service level. The download itself should be free and will appear in October.

Separately, MySpace has also revealed development of MySpace for BlackBerry, a custom app that takes advantage of the smartphone's push data and messaging. Users will get status and mood updates in real time and have the option of creating or responding to comments, messages and requests. A BlackBerry Hub subsection will include BlackBerry-oriented content; BlackBerries with cameras can further upload photos directly to a member profile. No mention is made of a price, though the app should be available worldwide in the same October window as Slacker's program.

Microsoft is also participating in the software introductions and will integrate its Live Search both into the stock BlackBerry browser as well as RIM's mobile BlackBerry page; the searches will be optional but will also integrate with GPS-capable phones to find points of interest either near the user or from inside BlackBerry Maps. The Windows developer is less specific with its introduction plans and says only that the Live Search update will be available before the end of the year.

By Electronista Staff