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Qik announces client for BlackBerry devices, world jumps for joy

Sure, there are other services that try and do the same thing, but Qik holds a special place in our hearts. Ever since they announced and released the first streaming client for the Nokia N95, we’ve been pressuring them to release a BlackBerry client. As you are all well aware, RIM doesn’t exactly give you access to everything you need as a developer so this was almost impossible until recently. It’s still not 100% as Qik would like even more integration into the device, but for now, this is an incredible feat and we’re thrilled. The client is available starting now in alpha form, so don’t get your panties in a bunch if it’s not perfect — Qik is banging out releases faster than you can stream a 10kb movie. We’ll update you when the client comes out of the alpha/beta, but for now, hit the jump and behold every BlackBerry user’s dream: broadcasting live video from your device! Press release is after the jump.

Qik, Inc., the leading live mobile video streaming platform, today announced alpha support for Blackberry devices including Blackberry Pearl, Blackberry Curve, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Flip. Available today in alpha, Qik’s service is now live on a number of BlackBerry handsets, including the very latest models from Research In Motion (RIM). With Qik’s free service, users can stream video live to the Internet in just two clicks from their mobile phone. Those watching the videos on the Web can take part in live interactive chat with the person broadcasting.

“We are excited to bring our lifestyle technology to the millions of Blackberry users worldwide,” said Ramu Sunkara, co-founder and CEO of Qik. “In our quest to bring mobile live video sharing to the masses, we now support the broadest range of platforms including Symbian, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and Java-enabled mass market phones.”

BlackBerry mobile phones are one of the most popular smartphones in North America. BlackBerry handsets are especially favored for allowing fast and easy access to email. The addition of live video streaming to the phones’ capabilities brings a whole new dimension of functionality to BlackBerry handsets. Qik is initially launching in alpha on the following handsets running Blackberry Operating System 4.5 and above: Blackberry Perl 8120, Blackberry Perl 8130, Blackberry Perl 8220, Blackberry Curve 8330 and the upcoming Blackberry Bold.

Owners of the above devices can get Qik by registering at http://qik.com/ . Support for these devices is expected to enter beta in the coming weeks, and support for additional BlackBerry handsets is expected soon after.

The Pope, Senator Barack Obama, Bono, and Steve Jobs are just a few of the notables to be streamed live to the web by Qik users in more than 150 countries. Journalists are using Qik to be more transparent in their reporting, and politicians worldwide are employing Qik as they campaign on a more engaging Web platform. Parents around the planet are easily sharing family events as they happen through Qik on their cell phones. With simple but robust software and a feature-rich site, tens of thousands of Qik users are streaming important moments live to the people with whom they want to share.

Qik, in addition to being the live mobile to web video service of a number of popular technology bloggers and journalists, is also delivering exciting footage shot by a wide selection of users across entertainment, business, sports, and technology. Recent Qik videos of note have included behind the scenes footage from Sarah Palin and Joe Biden’s vice presidential debate, interviews with comedian Dane Cook, the launch of Apple’s new notebook computers, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s speech reacting to the global economic climate.

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20 comment(s) for this post.

  1. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:24 am, Abe Said:

    not on the storm? well, it doesn’t matter for now. im sure it will be on there in no time (considering the phone is not even out yet).

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  2. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:34 am, Jeremiah Said:

    What exactly is Qik again?

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  3. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:36 am, Jeremiah Said:

    Btw I’m glad the company can spell Blackberry “Perl” correctly…

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  4. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:45 am, M to the K Said:

    Just tried this on my Bold using wifi. Very cool, no issues noted so far. Will keep playing with this :)

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  5. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:47 am, AlbertWesker Said:

    Yes, can someone please explain what Qik is because I missed that boat…

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  6. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 12:51 am, roy95th Said:

    One of the most frequent requests we’ve had from Qik fans has been for a BlackBerry client. Today we are really excited to announce our alpha release clients for the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, BlackBerry Pearl 8130, and BlackBerry Bold. BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 will follow soon.

    I got this from there webcite

    Looks like the storm is sol for now.

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  7. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 1:47 am, JK Said:

    You can upload any size Video or Audio to your blog or to your social networks using CellSpin today.

    CellSpin supports all major BB phones today.

    http://www.cellspin.net/phones/

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  8. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 9:02 am, netposer Said:

    qik let’s you stream live video using your mobile device. It’s not the greatest quality (of course). But I have watched some cool stuff from folks streaming live using qik.

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  9. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:11 am, theoutsider Said:

    For those of you asking what Qik is, are you retarded or just didn’t even read the damn post and went straight to the comments section?

    BTW, says my device running 4.5 isn’t supported.

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  10. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:29 am, payroll Said:

    http://qik.com/dl/165

    You go to that link on your BlackBerry to download it.

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  11. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:33 am, theoutsider Said:

    @ payroll

    Thanks for that. I tried last night from the reg qik site and it kept saying device not supported. Good lookin out.

    That should be updated in the posting itself.

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  12. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:34 am, payroll Said:

    When I try to connect it just pops up saying “Can’t connect to server”

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  13. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:36 am, theoutsider Said:

    You have your APN settings correct right? (Options-Advanced-APN/TCP).
    Mine connected to the server fast as hell (IE 2 seconds).

    Also may want to make sure that the app permissions are set (options-advanced-applications-qik)

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  14. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 2:10 pm, Lacy Kemp Said:

    Robert Scoble posted a video of the Qik guys talking about the new support for Blackberry. They say that the storm WILL be supported.
    Here’s the link. http://scobleizer.com/2008/10/26/qikberry-oh-sorry-qik-supports-blackberry-for-live-video/

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  15. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 2:37 pm, Dhanu Said:

    Wondering if this is better than Next2Friends.

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  16. On Oct 27, 2008 @ 3:11 pm, Michael Bettiol Said:

    Despite it being an early release, I dislike how you need a media card to use this application. With 1GB of in-built memory on the Bold it seems rather pointless.

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  17. On Oct 28, 2008 @ 8:24 am, _Stryker_ Said:

    When I try to open this program I get a window that pops up that reads “The Application Manager has attempted to open a connection to a location inside the Firewall and outside the Firewall which is not allowed by your IT policy” ……I have set the permission to allow for qik … I have to take the battery out to reset it because the window Blocks everything. I am using a 8120 Pearl , and have T-mobile service I have no idea how to correct this problem and would appreciate any help………..Thanking You.

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  18. On Oct 28, 2008 @ 8:34 am, theOutsider Said:

    A: is it a company owned bberry?
    B: go to options, security options, general settings. Scroll down. Do you have an it policy?

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  19. On Oct 28, 2008 @ 10:18 am, _Stryker_ Said:

    Thanks for the reply…no it is not company owned…I do not see a Policy..persay but I have everything allowed for it..After messing it for awhile…I disabled the firewall and it let me login (connected) is there anyway I can connect without taking my firewall off? Thanks again

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  20. On Dec 18, 2008 @ 6:55 pm, Wayne Said:

    hey my friend, how did you disable the firewall on your BB, to make Qik work??

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