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Hot off the exhibition floor is this news from CTIA. Kevin just sent me a quick note from the floor, and the press release I found confirms the details. XM and QuickPlay have announced the first universally available XM Radio Mobile service for BlackBerry devices (wow, that was a mouthful!)
XM (CTIA Booth #4544 if you're in Vegas) and QuickPlay Media announced that XM Radio Mobile has selected QuickPlay's OpenVideo as the first media management platform to make XM Radio universally available on certain BlackBerry devices. The service which can run across major US networks enables the user to get 20 exclusive XM channels of commercial-free music and 24-hour comedy programming for $7.99/month. There will also be an option for a 24-hour trial.
A snippet from the official press release from XM:
The XM Radio Mobile offering provides BlackBerry smartphone users with unlimited access to a wide selection of the most popular commercial-free music channels, including XM's 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s decade channels, 20on20 (Top 20 Hits), Ethel (New Alternative Rock), The City (Hip-Hop/R&B Hits), XMU (Indie Rock), Watercolors (Easy Jazz) and Highway 16 (New Country Hits). Customers can also listen to XM comedy channels, The Virus (outrageous uncensored talk) and XM Comedy (uncensored comedy).
All XM channels are easily accessed via a simple user interface with graphical icons for content genres and channels. While listening to one XM Radio Mobile channel, users can see the song title, artist and album, as well as what's currently playing on other XM Radio Mobile channels. Subscribers can also multi-task as XM Radio Mobile can run in the background while the user accesses other data applications on their BlackBerry smartphone.
Cool stuff! Who's signing up!?
BlackBerry devices supported by the XM Mobile Radio service require OS 4.2 or higher and must be in the 8800 series, 8700 series, Pearl series or Curve series. The service and the 24-hour trial are both available OTA by visiting http://www.xmradio.com/bb from your Berry.
[ via XMRadio ]
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Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 11:42 am
Not available in Canada!
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 11:58 am
Doesn't run via Wifi...
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 12:06 pm
only for the good old U. S. of A.
no luv for us up north !
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 12:30 pm
No Pearl love
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm
This is whaqt it tells me:
"Thank you for your interest in XM Radio Mobile. Unfortunately, your device is not supported. Supported devices run OS 4.2 and higher and include the 8700 series, 8100 series, 8800 series, and 8300 series."
I'm running 8130 Pearl...how and why does it think I have the wrong phone?
James Falconer Apr 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm
That is a bit of a bummer isn't it. What gives?... Canada is the home of RIM, you think XM would show some love and give all of us BB-Loving Canadians a break :)
ballr Apr 1, 2008 at 12:54 pm
doesnt work with o.s. 4.5 bummer...!
MontyTheMooch Apr 1, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Works great on the 8830WE. It's a one day trial and there's absolutely NO info available on whether current subscribers are going to be able to use it without paying more.
I already pay for a subscription and can stream off the web any time. If they tell me that the Blackberry XM will cost me they'll find they won't be getting any more money. :)
MontytheMooch Apr 1, 2008 at 1:36 pm
It doesn't appear to be able to output the audio to bluetooth either. Only to the built-in speaker. More points lost.
Apr 1, 2008 at 2:51 pm
It would be great if current XM Subscribers could get a discount on it.
scion9 Apr 1, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I think this is great. I already subscribe to XM service and can listen to XM on my laptop for free. That includes all the stations. I can't wrap my brain around paying $7.99 for just 20 stations. Would've been cool if existing subscribers could access the app for free.
MontytheMooch Apr 1, 2008 at 5:11 pm
It actually WILL output to BT (A2DP) in my case it took a little doing, but I got it working. Not the greatest stereo clarity, but it works.
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Looks like this won't work if you are on Sprint
montythemooch Apr 1, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I'm on Sprint. It works just fine for me. You may have an underlying issue.
Anonymous Apr 1, 2008 at 10:46 pm
When I go to the link to download with my Sprint Pearl 8130, I get a message saying support my your device is coming soon and gives me an option to sign up for notification of availability via email.
Anonymous Apr 2, 2008 at 5:02 am
I tried to download XM to my 8310. The software would not recognize my 4.5 and insisted I UPgrade to 4.2.
No thanks
Michael Woods Apr 2, 2008 at 10:30 am
I'm getting the same message that some of the others are getting. When I try to go download the application, it tells me....Thank you for your interest in XM Radio Mobile. Unfortunately, your device is not supported. Supported devices run OS 4.2 and higher and include the 8700 series, 8100 series, 8800 series, and 8300 series. I have a Blackberry Pearl (8130) with OS 4.5.
AJErvin Apr 2, 2008 at 11:20 am
It's a step in the right direction, but falls way short of getting me to fork out $7.99/month. The sound quality is lacking on my bluetooth headphones and only 20 stations isn't going to cut it. I'm excited to see them at least trying though. I'm sure they'll ste it up soon!
Anonymous Apr 2, 2008 at 11:21 am
Um, that link doesn't lead to the free trial...
ralarosa Apr 2, 2008 at 12:29 pm
The link doesn't work.
I also subscribe to XM with 3 radios. Why should I kick in another $8 a month for only 20 channels?
Anonymous Apr 2, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Works for me when I type it in on my BB 8830. You are going to it on the BB, right?
ej25 Apr 3, 2008 at 6:55 pm
http://www.xmradio.com/bb is where i got my 24trial from my Curve 8310. its working great. i dont have XM in my car or home or work so this is pretty cool to me
franv#cb Apr 5, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I got the same error message as others above when trying to get to the trail on my Curve 8310 (OS 4.2) while using the Opera Mini browser. You have to use the default BlackBerry browser when a website has to identify your handset. Don't worry, it's only used to sign up. ;O)
DCHAMP Apr 7, 2008 at 12:23 pm
So i just tried OTA to get the XM RADIO download and it said that my phone doesnt support the download. I am using a 8830 running 4.2. Has anyone else had this issue and whats the deal?