* Note: Turns out the beta isn't available for the Storm just yet. If you have a Storm and want in on the beta send an email to beta@pushlife.com and they'll get you the Storm version when it becomes available. Sorry about that! *

PushLife is a new music application for BlackBerry Smartphones that seeks to change how you listen to and manage your music on your BlackBerry. Managing music on mobile devices has never really been an easy task for me. It seems no matter how much effort I put into organizing and ensuring items are named and tagged correctly I always end up with a disorganized batch of music on my BlackBerry. After checking out PushLife, I'm liking what I see and it looks to be a way to keep my music better organized.

Now, the folks at PushLife are getting set to release their application via a major carrier announcement next month but as an exclusive offer to the CrackBerry community they've given us a slightly slimmed down version of what will be released for CrackBerry readers to check out (music purchasing disabled in this version). iTunes and Windows Media player synchronization, Twitter sharing of music, editing of ID3 tags on the go and more. That's just some of the features available in PushLife so read on for more information. As for getting in the beta, PushLife is going to limit to the first thousand beta testers, so visit pushlife.com/crackberry from your BlackBerry's web browser to download it now!

Slacker today announced a new partnership with The Source magazine in an effort to bring hip hop music lover the best the scene has to offer. The all new Source Digital Radio station is now available on mobile phones, in-home devices and on the web through Slacker Radio. The Source digital radio will cover the past two decades of hip hop music, covering such artists as Run DMC, Lil Wayne, Jay Z as well as cover the popular "Unsigned Artists" portion of the The Source magazine articles. You can check out the channel under the "Slacker Spotlight" section online. Full press release after the jump

If you're like me, you're in a constant battle with your device to find the perfect wallpaper. It seems like at least twice a day I'm running through the pictures on my phone or searching the web to find a new one to keep me happy. Well today I have a wallpaper that I'm sure will stick around on my device for a while. User brianajr88 dropped this awesome 3D design in the forums early this morning, and it even looks like some have had custom designs done up as well. The 3D logo looks great in all the different colors, but I'm still a fan of the standard orange. Head into the forums for all the download links, and thanks to brianajr88 for the awesome deisgn!

• Download and discuss the CrackBerry 3D Wallpapers >>

In what was previously a closed beta but now open one, skySYNC is a new service that has laid claim to being able to stream your iTunes library to your BlackBerry. Making use of a downloadable BlackBerry app and combined with a PC/Mac/Linux version of their desktop application skySYNC offers all your music in one place, always synced and always available through your device.

Sounds compelling huh? I was able to check out skySYNC earlier and while thoughts are not fully evolved on the application I can see it meeting some peoples needs. It's not without a few caveats though, if you have a rather LARGE iTunes collection you may wish to look at alternative options. I say this because the desktop application is pretty much nothing more then an "uploader" app where your iTunes library gets uploaded to the cloud. You'll be waiting a while if you want to upload all your music in your collection, especially a large one. Still, I see the potential in the service. Maybe you will too, let us know in the comments if ya try it out.

• More Information And Downloads Avail. Via The skySYNC Website>>

[ PocketBerry ]

On the first day of Mobile World Congress 2010, 7digital dropped an update to their popular 7digital Music Store for BlackBerry app. I caught up with James Shannon from DevelopIQ, makers of the app, to give us the run down of what's new and improved. You can catch the video above. If video isn't your cup of tea, then here's the Coles Notes on version 1.2:

• New: Last.fm scrobbling support
• New: Last.fm 'now playing' support
• New: BlackBerry Curve 8350i support
• New: Netherlands store & Dutch localisation
• New: Rest of Europe store
• New: 7digital store artist search
• New: 7digital store playback from locker
• New: My Music - Browse Purchased
• New: My Music - Track search
• New: My Music - Add Folder to manual playlist
• New: My Music - Delete Artist/Album/Track
• New: Media card encryption support
• Improved: My Music browsing performance
• Improved: My Locker refresh performance over WiFi
• Improved: Carrier network download performance
• Other minor fixes & improvements 

All in all it's a great upgrade and James says even more is coming in version 1.3. Good stuff, considering this is already one well-built BlackBerry application. If you don't haven't tried the 7digital app yet, be sure to give it a go by downloading it from App World.

• Learn More / Download 7digital Music Store for BlackBerry from App World >>

Its just about time for the most romantic holiday of the year, and no matter if you're married, single, engaged or whatever - you know you'll want your first true love (ahem .. your BlackBerry) looking spiffy on Sunday. To help you out we have loads of wallpapers, themes and apps to get romantic with. You can jump into the free wallpaper gallery for an easy facelift, and check out what we have in the CrackBerry App Store if you want to get it on with a new theme.

Also don't forget to check out our Valentine's Day contests. You can win a complete Schalge LiNK starter kit, a Slacker Radio Premium subscription and some great apps from Twinkler Software and Toysoft. You only have a few more hours to get in on the action, so check out the original contest posts and leave a comment if you haven't already. Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Media

• Valentines Day Wallpapers >>
• Valentines Day Themes and Apps >>

Valentine's Day Contests

• Get Your Valentine's Day Groove On with Slacker Radio Love Stations - 10 Subscriptions Up for Grabs! >>
• Happy Valentine's Day Helps You Get One on One With Your Loved Ones - Contest for Free Software Bundle! >>
• Contest: Show Your BlackBerry Some Love This Valentine's Day.. Win a Free Schlage LiNK Starter Kit & 3 Mo. Free Service! >>

 

Nothing says "I love you" like a good love song. To help get you in the Valentine's Day spirit, Slacker Radio has some great stations for you to get into your love groove. In addition to creating your own romantic mega-mix, you can check out some of Slacker's stations featuring Love Songs, Rock Ballads and even Broken Hearts. You can stream music right from your device and help make your Valentine's Day events that much sweeter. Slacker is available as a free download, but if you want to kick it up you can enter to win 1 of 10 free subscriptions and get the benefits of ad-free listening, unlimited skips, full song lyrics and more. We have 3 one-year subscriptions and 7 three-month subscriptions to give away. To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling us how Slacker would sweeten your Valentine's Day. Please only leave one comment - contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST.

• Download Slacker Radio for BlackBerry free >>

Listen to Slacker Love Song Stations:

• Rock Ballads  >>
• Love Songs >>
• Country Love >>
• Broken Heart >>
• Metropolitan Mood >>

Having been a user of RealPlayer SP's video conversion tool for a while now, I can say it's quite a handy application to have installed. The application it's self allows you to download videos direct from your browser and have them then converted to file formats which are compatible with multiple devices. BlackBerry, iPhone, iPods even PSP if you do so choose. The end result of conversions is typically always high quality depending on your source but now with Youtube and other sites moving more and more content to HD high quality content is aplenty.

The PC version of RealPlayer SP has been available since June of 2009 but finally, Real Networks has rolled out the Mac version for users to take advantage of. If you've been looking for a way dead simple way to convert those internet videos for your BlackBerry this is the best way to go. While I cannot personally try out the Mac version, I'm quite certain it will be on par with that of the PC version, if not better.  The basic version is available for free with the premium version setting you back $39.99. Personally, I see no compelling reason to pay for the premium offerings as the free version works great for conversion for BlackBerry but, that might be just me. Oh yes, for those that will ask. Real Networks is still very much alive ;)

• Check Out RealPlayer SP For Mac Today Via The RealPlayer Webiste>>

 

Didiom Pro may seem like your everyday streaming music app at first glance, but its not. Didiom Pro lets you stream your personal audio collection from your PC to your device over 3G and Wifi. You can stream music, podcasts, audiobooks or any other audio stored on your computer, and also download the items to your device for offline listening. Didiom Pro requires an application to be installed on both the device and PC, and the PC must be on (with the app running) in order to stream music. The Didiom Pro interface on your mobile device looks similar to the controls of an iPod, allowing you to play, pause and skip tracks. The controls can be a bit touchy (hitting the trackpad to the left or right accidentally skipped tracks without even clicking) but overall they work well. You can choose to browse by track, title or artist to easily find what you're looking for when on the go. Didiom Pro sells for just $0.99 a month (or $9.99 for the year) and is available in BlackBerry App World.

Contest: We have 100 Didiom Pro subscriptions to give away. Just leave a comment on this post to enter. Contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST. Please only leave one comment, multiple entries won't count.

• More information and download of Didiom Pro >>

Grooveshark, the premium streaming music application we looked at previously has rolled out an update recently. Sadly, no changelog was issued with the release but users opening up the application were indeed, prompted to download what is now v1.0.7. Seems a lot of T-Mobile users were having issues with getting the application to work previously, so maybe you'll want to give this version a shot to see if it works better. Grooveshark is available for $3/mnth through their VIP program which allows for unlimited streaming and caching of music played for offline usage.

• For More Details And Downloads Check Out The Grooveshark Website>> 

We had heard before that SIRIUS XM was launching their dedicated app for BlackBerry sometime near the end of January. While that time came and past we still had no app from them available. Seems like we just had to wait a little bit longer, the observant folks in the forums have let us know the application is now available.

Devices supported, as indicated on the site are Curve 8500, Bold, Storm and Tour. With the application you do get a free 7 day trial and after that it's required that you sign up for one of the subscription options that are available. 120 channel, no ads - but sadly it appears no Howard Stern either. Check it out, let us know in the comments what you think of it.

• More Information And Downloads Available Via The SIRIUS Website>>

Thumbplay Music is going full out these days. Having just launched their beta application for BlackBerry, Mac and PC. Those of you out there who signed up are already enjoying their offerings. More content providers are being added practically on a daily basis, which is great. Thumbplay is hoping to expand as much content as possible to make their product the best it can be.

The number of tracks offered by Thumbplay music now exceeds 8 million. With big names such as Warner, EMI, Sony and Universal on board Thumbplay is bringing the content. In addition to the big labels 25,000 independent labels have been added to the lineup and todays announcement brings content from AWAL; BFM Digital; DashGo; Dig Dis; E1 Music; Finetunes; IRIS; Nettwerk; Nu Urban; Oseao; Rebeat Digital; Record Union; RouteNote; Sundesire Records, Symphonic Distribution and The state51Conspiracy.

As of now, Thumbplay is still in private beta but you can register for your invite via their site. Full availability of the service is expected to be rolled out this quarter. The Thumbplay Music service will include a free, three-day trial of its unlimited, on-demand service.  Following the trial period, subscriptions are $9.99 per month.

• Read The Full Press Release Announcement Via The Thumbplay Music Site>>
• Check Out Our Previous Thumbplay Music Coverage For More Info>>

It wasn't too long ago now that version 3.0 of BlackBerry Media Sync was released. Now we got an update which brings a newer, semi-revamped UI and improved picture synchronization for PC users. Bumped up to version 3.0.0.39, you can now auto update through media sync or just grab the latest version from the BlackBerry Media Sync download site.

Having checked out the latest version, I can see RIM actually worked out some of the kinks in this version. It not only looks better now but actually works much faster than previous versions. Not too sure as to why the Mac version isn't seeing any updates... I'm not a Mac user so those of you who are is the Mac version working fine as is? Or could it use an update as well?

• Download BlackBerry Media Sync For PC And Mac Today >>

At CES, Thumbplay was showing off their music app for BlackBerry and announced a private beta for the new service. The Unlimited Music App is a subscription based service that allows you to stream music (you don't actually purchase the songs) from Thumbplay's huge database on both your device and PC. You can create playlists, wirelessly sync, use autoplaylists and buy songs right from the app. The full app should be available in the coming weeks and will be priced at $9.99/month.

Contest: The Thumbplay Unlimited Music App is currently in private beta, but we have 50 free 30-day subscriptions to give away. This will get you a sneak peak before everyone else. To use the app, you'll have to have a US phone number and be using either a Tour 9630, Bold 9000 or Curve 8900. To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Contest ends this Monday at Midnight PST. Good luck!

• More information and beta request at music.thumbplay.com >>

Fabian Heuwieser has updated one of his best selling BlackBerry applications to support all OS 5.0 devices. Wallpaper Shuffle as you may remember, was an application first for the BlackBerry Storm and later the BlackBerry Tour that allowed you to swap out your wallpapers at a timed interval. Effectively, ensuring you never get bored of seeing just one wallpaper all the time while having minimal impact on battery life. With the latest update you can now get Wallpaper shuffle on any device that is running os 4.7 and higher. From now until January 25th you can pick it up for only $1.95 in the CrackBerry App Store.

• Click Here To Learn More About And Purchase Wallpaper Shuffle>>