Listen to the Radio on Your Blackberry

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?

Listen to the Radio on Your Blackberry

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.

These BlackBerry applications are available through a variety of sources and we do not necessarily endorse the three that are listed below. As with any download over the Internet, be sure to proceed with caution and read up on any reviews that you may find online.

Internet Radio with BerryTunes

Selling for around $20, BerryTunes is an application that will transform your BlackBerry into a portable music machine. It can be used to provide you with a nifty MP3 player, but perhaps even more interesting is the inclusion of Internet Radio.

There are many different Internet Radio stations out there and they are generally free to enjoy. In this way, the only major cost to you for listening to Internet Radio on your BlackBerry is the cost of the BerryTunes application. Bear in mind that the streaming music goes through your regular data connection, so make sure that you have a good data plan to handle all that bandwidth.

After downloading and installing BerryTunes, you will have access to more than 100 streaming Internet radio stations, organized into 20 different categories. Whether you're into rock, pop, or classical, you'll find something here for you. Check with your cell phone service provider to ensure that BerryTunes will work with your network.

FM Radio with MobiVoice

The primary functionality of MobiVoice is to provide your BlackBerry handheld with the ability to use voice memos and voice emails. This means that text-based emails can be translated into an audio file. The voice memo app lets you record up to five hours of high quality voice as well.

The secondary function of MobiVoice is more in tune with our current interests. You can listen to the radio on your BlackBerry with MobiVoice as it lets you enjoy FM radio. You can select eight preset stations and the application allows for station searching.

This is an older BlackBerry download, so it may or may not work with current devices. Check with your service provider and Research in Motion for further details.

XM Satellite Radio

Satellite radio is hugely popular, because it lets you listen to great music and fantastic talk shows without having to deal with commercials. While you cannot have a true satellite radio experience on your BlackBerry, it is still possible to listen to a good number of XM Satellite Radio stations using the right application.

Point the web browser on your BlackBerry to this website and it will provide you with further information. Alternatively, you can text "XM" to 47201. The download itself, as far as we can tell, is free. The cost to you would be the $7.99 subscription fee and any data charges that you may incur.

The current XM Radio application will work with the BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8700, BlackBerry Pearl, and BlackBerry Curve. You gain access to 20 "exclusive" XM channels, including The City (hip hop), Watercolors (easy jazz), XM 70s, Ethel (new alternative rock), and XM Comedy.

Watch Those Data Rates

Because it does 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 BlackBerry. 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 listening to a BlackBerry-powered radio.

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