RIM to offer online video service for BlackBerry handsets?
According to NewTeeVee, RIM may be launching a new service that will allow BlackBerry owners to download TV episodes to their handsets. The service, possibly announced as soon as next week at CTIA, would require a monthly subscription fee and would provide unlimited downloads from a catalog of TV episodes licensed from several broadcast and cable companies. Once an episode is selected, the video content will supposedly be downloaded via Wi-Fi to the handset and stored locally for viewing on the go. Since the service uses Wi-Fi and not the cellular signal to download content, all Verizon Wireless and most Sprint Blackberry owners need not apply. Crazy…
Why would I want to download media programs for a fee when I can watch Slingbox on my Bold no matter where I am?
Seriously though?!!
So-called content providers are circling the drain. They are today’s dinosaur which is attempting to prey upon the consumer with only slightly more cash than intellect. Good riddance to these bottom-feeders.
I’m loving all the news about new Berry apps and services lately.
yeah, the content providers are struggling to find ways to retain their profits. I think streaming is a better way to go, whether its Sling or direct from the providers, I refuse to buy TV shows. Boxee for WM / Apple phones? I think it needs to go that way rather than a pay per or subscription.
Its good if you dont have slingbox or know someone that does.
I sure would love to try slingbox. Heard so many good things about it. Just dled the bb app just incase i get lucky
Loving the BlackBerry <3
Why would they launch a WiFi-only service when they’re launching new handsets like the Niagara without WiFi? (And note that I tend to think that RIMM itself, not Verizon Wireless, is the main reason there are no WiFi CDMA BlackBerrys, though I blame Vodafone for the Storm) It makes no sense… especially since the device you would most want video on, the big-screen Storm, would be left out as well. On the other hand, companies often make decisions that make no sense to me, so it wouldn’t be a first.
I think you might have something wrong. That screenshot that was put up is from a Storm and the article has a picture of the Storm. This means it has to support Ev-Do in some way and not just WiFi.
^Take up the issue of the mocked-up pic [not a screenshot] on the Storm with Liz Gannes. Her apparent blunder.
@David
the storm screenshot/mock-up is deliberate. my attempt at cruel irony as the one blackberry with the screen to showcase a video service is one of the handsets supposedly not supported.
LMAO at the last part by mentioning “all Verizon Wireless and most Sprint Blackberry owners need not apply. Crazy…”
But for real, why is that though? CDMA carriers don’t embrace wifi on their handsets.
the no cell network downloads must be a Carrier choice since they might not want all the data traffic quite yet. But that also means that it give Verizon & Sprint the option to do their own version of this service.
yet another reason why no wifi on the devices is a stupid idea.
@Maikel: Eh, there are WinMo handsets on VZW (and presumably Sprint) with WiFi, though it is true WiFi is more common in the GSM space… I’ve seen it claimed that since CDMA deployed 3G faster than GSM, GSM turned to WiFi as a stop-gap feature, but I don’t know… that sounds a bit like “the reason CDMA doesn’t have WiFi is that CDMA is awesome” to me…
Once again having the countries best network (verizon) fucks us.its always us waiting for the newest phones to come to us or missing out on select services because verizon is anti-everything thats good and free.
I really need someone to help me understand the big problem with no wifi if your on tmobile yes you need it there service is worst then having dial up on a pc but when would be the need to use it so I can’t imagine browsing on my bb at home if I’m in the car my cdma service works just fine I agree cdma handsets don’t need wifi
They shouldn’t have made this a WiFi only app because that means only t mo and att can use it, Sprint does have that IDEN Curve though
^Though I completely differ with the rationale of support of ‘content’ providers, they’re developing for their buying ‘market’. They obviously recognize the stupidity of developing for the micro-niche of CDMA WiFi-anabled Blackberry users. No one can blame them for that.
I don’t disagree with that concept just don’t see the reason to but out the majority of the U.S. seeing as there are more CDMA users here than GSM and they really need that WiFi while us CDMA users get by w/o it just fine
^The world isn’t flat, idiot.
Since it isn’t flat that’s why they shouldn’t lock it down to one platform for delivery. EDGE wouldn’t be sufficient, hence the WiFi, now DOr0 can and DOrA is definitely able
^Convert the rest of the world and I’m sure your esteemed opinion will be considered. Until then …
The whole world isn’t GSM and all thier phones, in the U.S. at least, aren’t WiFi. There are at least 150M CDMA subs here with a better 3G network to take advantage of such goodies w/o being tied to a certain locations and that’s just here there are more CDMA places on the planet. These constant efforts to discredit and belittle me and make seem a tad obsessive and deranged
When are you moving to Singapore anyway, DonVinnie? I hear they’ve got a killer legal code for internet sock-muppets like you …
Maybe you can even use your WiFi-enabled iDen Blackberry while you’re waiting for your punishment to be delivered.