blackberry_internet_radio

Ever since the launch of the BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry devices have been pretty capable at playing music.  The BlackBerry Media Player GIU interface is less than desirable, however, the hardware itself functions adaquately as an MP3 player.

If you were to ask me if I listen to music on my BlackBerry I would answer all the time.  I don’t think,  however, that I’ve ever listened to an MP3 on my BlackBerry Storm beyond the sample “World Traveler” track which came on installed on the device.

So, how do I listen to music all of the time on my BlackBerry with out ever playing MP3 files?  Well, it turns out that most of the newer model BlackBerrydevices just happen to make pretty darn good internet radios.

When it comes to to internet radio, there are a lot of different services out there, but, when it comes to internet radio on your BlackBerry, three services, two of which are free, stand out among the rest.

XM Mobile on BlackBerryThe first is XM Mobile on BlackBerry.  XM works quite will on supported BlackBerry devices.  It isn’t free, however.  It will set you back $7.99 per month.  The big problem that I have with it is that it costs you $7.99 per month regardless of if you already have an XM subscription on your car stereo.  No only that, you are only presented with a subset of your total channels on the BlackBerry client.  XM Mobile on BlackBerry is way too expensive for my taste but it does work incredibly well.

FlyCast for BlackBerryNext we have FlyCast for BlackBerry.  Flycast has well over a 1000 channels that you can listen to for free on your BlackBerry.  You can also listen to the same FlyCast Channels on you desktop.  The interface isnt’ as nice as XM, but, you absolutely cannot beat the price.

Slacker Radio For BlackBerryLast we have Slacker Radio for BlackBerry.  I have to admit that Slacker is my personal favorite internet radio player for the BlackBerry.  Like FlyCast, you can listen to Slacker via your desktop, however, there are just 100 channels available.  Slacker Basic is free, but you are limited from some of the advance features like unlimited skips, unlimited song reuquests, and you are presented with advertising.  Slacker Plus will set you back $3.99 per month.

I actually have both Slacker and FlyCast installed and I listen to both off them frequently.  As big a fan of the BlackBerry that I am, it still doesn’t replace my iPod Video that goes everywhere with me, however, it is definitely my internet radio device of choice.