14 DAY TRIAL // Research in Motion and MySpace, two names that I believe need no introduction, have just announced a new collaboration set to bring a special MySpace application to BlackBerry smartphones. Designed to offer "rich content and data" to RIM-made handset owners, the upcoming MySpace app will integrate all the important social networking components of MySpace for desktop into the BlackBerry platform.
"MySpace and RIM are at the forefront of the mobile social networking evolution," proudly stated Chris DeWolfe, chief executive officer at MySpace. "Our partnership enables millions of BlackBerry smartphone users to leverage MySpace on the go and access content, friend networks, and status and mood updates anywhere at any time."
Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion, added, "BlackBerry smartphone users have unsurprisingly been quick to understand and lead mobile trends and we are seeing many of our customers strongly embrace mobile social networking as an integral part of their communications and day-to-day lives. MySpace was one of the first social networking sites to get it right and we are thrilled to join forces to continue evolving and enhancing the mobile social networking experience for our mutual user base."
The features of MySpace for BlackBerry, as presented by RIM, include:
– an exhaustive messaging interface (comments and bulletins included);
– mood and status updates can be done in real time;
– you can respond to friend requests and add friends;
– you can take pictures with your BlackBerry camera and upload them with ease on your profile;
– friends' albums and photos can be viewed and commented;
– you can receive notifications when new MySpace events happen.
So, when will this new MySpace application be hitting RIM's smartphones? No sooner (or later) than next month (October). Thus, all you MySpacers out there who – willingly or by mistake – own a BlackBerry, get ready to rumble on your favorite social networking service at any time, from anywhere (just make sure you keep your RIM handset at hand).
Together with the MySpace app, RIM will also release a so-called BlackBerry Hub – a MySpace community where users should be able to find a myriad of RIM-related content.