RIM Offers Free BlackBerry Podcasts

Research In Motion announced this week the launch of BlackBerry Podcasts free application and service that allows BlackBerry smartphone users to listen podcasts from leading content providers. Blackberry owners will be able to quickly access free audio and video content that can be downloaded over Wi-Fi or over cellular networks.

Apparently, RIM worked with a wide range of content providers to bring its users lots of podcasts, which are available from the Podcast Catalog.

Some of these content providers currently include: Above and Beyond, Bloomberg, CBC, Corus, Discovery Networks, How Stuff Works, HBR, NPR, PRI, Reuters, Speed TV, TVO, The Onion, Wizzard Media, Resident Advisor Podcast and many more.

“Offering Reuters multimedia content on BlackBerry Podcasts provides our core audience and beyond with access to the news they want, when they want it.” - Ilicco Elia, global head of mobile for consumer media at Thomson Reuters.

Users will be able to search the Podcast Catalog by keyword, category, channel or top downloads, and subscribe or simply preview a particular podcast before subscribing.

Those using Blackberry Podcast application can also download episodes and store them on a microSD card, so that can be watched at a later time.

BlackBerry Podcasts is also using the company's push technology to notify users when new content from a subscribed channel becomes available.

“BlackBerry Podcasts offers an enriched and streamlined multimedia experience,” said Alistair Mitchell, Vice President, Multimedia Integration.

“The new BlackBerry Podcasts app and service makes it easier than ever to discover and download a wide range of content directly from a BlackBerry smartphone, and users can even subscribe to their favorite podcasts and receive an alert when new content is available,” Mitchell added.

BlackBerry Podcasts is available free on BlackBerry App World and is compatible with BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS v4.6 or higher.