LAS VEGAS – Busy Blackberry users can now listen to news and entertainment on the go using thanks to Toronto mobile technology firm QuickPlay’s new audio streaming service.
Launched just this week, any Blackberry user in the world (as long as it’s a 7130 series handset or newer) can download the QuickPlay Quickplayer and gain access to 100 audio channels for US$7.95 a month.
"This is the first time you can get streaming media on the Blackberry," QuickPlay founder and COO Raja Khanna told Cartt.ca. It’s done in a way "we think reflects the lifestyle of Blackberry users," he added, because even more so than regular wireless consumers "Blackberry users really don’t have a lot of time to spare."
The audio clips, from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, ESPN, Accuweather, ClearChannel, Westwood One and Marketwatch, are two to five minutes in length and each channel is updated at least daily – and for some of them, hourly.
"It’s a lot of great brands pretty well targeted to the demographic," added Khanna. Blackberry aficionados are a much sought-after demo, since they are typically businesspeople and also bring in the most revenue on average, for any wireless carrier.
The Quickplayer application is simple – just two screens, favourites and the channel guide – and streams begin in four to 10 seconds after clicking, says Khanna.
While he hopes to sign carriers to the service, right now it is running through manufacturer Research In Motion, which means "every Blackberry user on the planet can get it," said Khanna. Right now, however, it’s target is the U.S. market.
The company is also launching a parallel service just for the Blackberry Pearl – which is a consumer-focused device, unlike all-business Blackberry 7130 and 8700.
The QuickPlay Pearl service will also have a video. "We’re about to make some great announcements (with record companies for music videos) but for right now we have some music content and extreme sports content there."
While the audio service for business users won’t have any ads, the Pearl service probably will, said Khanna. "On the consumer side, with music and entertainment, price is such a driving factor… and they’ve shown us over time they’re okay with a little bit of advertising as long as it’s not too much and it’s a little bit targeted."
– Greg O’Brien
