SOURCE ORBITCAST
We're pretty accustomed to see announcements about iPhone App downloads, but this little bit of news is related to the BlackBerry, showing the maturing of the BlackBerry Applications ecosystem.
The Slacker BlackBerry App has reached over 1 million downloads since it launched in the beginning of this year. Not too shabby.
Additionally, we hear that the CNET Editors' Choice award will be given to Slacker for the BlackBerry app.
Slacker's library has grown to well over 2 million tracks (that's four-times what Pandora has). Thanks to its caching ability, the Slacker Blackberry app will play even when not connected to a signal (on a plane, subway.. etc).
So what does this mean for satellite radio?
First off, it shows the importance on distributed platforms. Yes, the iPhone is important, but consumers in general are looking at their phone differently now - they're not just phones, their lifestyle devices. And so BlackBerry can't be ignored.
But establishing new distribution channels doesn't mean charging a premium either (such as with the XM for BlackBerry app). Which is why I was happy to hear that the Sirius XM iPhone app would be free. Hopefully they'll be following suit with other smartphones.
Speaking of which... where is that Sirius XM iPhone app anyway?
We're pretty accustomed to see announcements about iPhone App downloads, but this little bit of news is related to the BlackBerry, showing the maturing of the BlackBerry Applications ecosystem.
The Slacker BlackBerry App has reached over 1 million downloads since it launched in the beginning of this year. Not too shabby.
Additionally, we hear that the CNET Editors' Choice award will be given to Slacker for the BlackBerry app.
Slacker's library has grown to well over 2 million tracks (that's four-times what Pandora has). Thanks to its caching ability, the Slacker Blackberry app will play even when not connected to a signal (on a plane, subway.. etc).
So what does this mean for satellite radio?
First off, it shows the importance on distributed platforms. Yes, the iPhone is important, but consumers in general are looking at their phone differently now - they're not just phones, their lifestyle devices. And so BlackBerry can't be ignored.
But establishing new distribution channels doesn't mean charging a premium either (such as with the XM for BlackBerry app). Which is why I was happy to hear that the Sirius XM iPhone app would be free. Hopefully they'll be following suit with other smartphones.
Speaking of which... where is that Sirius XM iPhone app anyway?