Even though it is largely marketed as a business device, it is perfectly possible to listen to the radio on your BlackBerry. You can't just sit there and read e-mails all day, can you? Find out how to use your BlackBerry to access radio programming.
How to Use BlackBerry for Radio
In order to give access to radio shows through your BlackBerry PDA phone, you'll need to download the appropriate application. By and large, these applications are not free to download, nor are they necessarily free to use. You have to ask yourself whether it is worth it to listen to the radio on your BlackBerry, because it can ultimately be much cheaper to just use the built-in MP3 player instead.
AT&T Radio
This mobile application is available as a free trial, but there is a monthly subscription fee of $5 after the trial expires. Some key features of ATT Radio include the following:
- Access to over 400 radio stations
- Including commercial-free music stations
- Personal radio creation
Corus Radio
StreamTheWorld created the Corus Radio application for BlackBerry devices. The application and service is free, but it is ad-supported. Features include the following:
- Nearly 40 radio stations predominantly in major Canadian markets
- Works over EDGE, 3G, or WiFi
- AAC+ high quality streaming
- Search for stations by name or call letters
- Music continues playing when phone is locked
Radio for BlackBerry
This BlackBerry application is available for purchase through BlackBerry App World, either directly through your compatible BlackBerry handset or through the BlackBerry App World website. As of October 2011, the price is $1.99. Some of the features include the following:
- Access to over 55,000 radio stations
- No monthly fees ever
- Listen to MP3 files too
- Wake up to music with the alarm feature
- Create a favorites list
- Internet radio streams powered by SHOUTcast Radio
Downtown Radio
Offered by Bauer Media, the Downtown Radio application for BlackBerry streams the radio station content directly to your handheld.
- Live Downtown Radio streaming
- Social sharing with Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail
- Background playing support
- View the Downtown Radio schedule
- Displays name of current content, plus upcoming content
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Regular FM radio is one thing, but satellite radio is another thing altogether. By and large, the latter is commercial-free but works on a montly subscription basis. While you cannot have a true satellite radio experience on your BlackBerry, it is still possible to listen to a good number of SiriusXM Satellite Radio stations using the right application.
Available directly from SiriusXM, the BlackBerry application works with a range of BlackBerry models. Some features include the following:
- Seven-day free trial with app download
- $2.99 per month with qualifying subscription package
- Subscription includes BlackBerry, Internet radio, and computer access
- Over 130 channels of commercial-free music and talk, including Howard Stern
Watch Those Data Rates
Because BlackBerry phones do not come with any sort of true radio connection, you have to be careful when you use the applications described above to listen to the radio on your Research in Motion (RIM) device. This is because the music -- whether it is coming from the Internet, FM, or satellite -- is actually being streamed over your wireless data connection. Wireless data on a BlackBerry can prove to be quite the pricey endeavor, so unless you are on a big (or unlimited) plan, you may want to be a little stingy when it comes to using your BlackBerry to listen to radio programming.
