BlackBerry Pearl users can receive streaming video

By Giselle Abramovich

January 15, 2008

QuickPlay currently offers streaming audio services for BlackBerry smartphones

U.S. and Canadian BlackBerry Pearl users no longer have to worry about on-device storage area or long waits to view downloaded content.

Mobile television and video service provider QuickPlay Media now allows owners of the handset to watch free streaming videos using VideoStreams. The new service includes entertainment content such as music videos, comedy, horoscopes and extreme sports.

“BlackBerry made sense as the launch platform for the VideoStreams service,” said Mark Hyland, vice president of marketing at QuickPlay, Toronto. “They are popular, media-capable devices with active users who are looking to be entertained as they go about their busy days. And BlackBerry users tend to have good data plans, which is still essential for watching video."

Pearl 8130 customers can visit www.videostreamsmobile.com using the BlackBerry browser to download the VideoStreams application. Because the videos are streamed to the smartphone there are no long waits to view content and no additional on-device storage is required since there isn’t a download.

Users can also share video clips with others via the send-to-friend option.

QuickPlay currently offers streaming audio services for BlackBerry smartphones via QuickPlayer Audio, the first audio streaming service introduced for the BlackBerry platform.

Also, QuickPlay has a white-label video streaming service for mobile operators that enables them to provide a custom-branded service to their customers with content from their partners, from QuickPlay allies or from a combination of both.

“We think the VideoStreams service will let people enjoy a few minutes of fun and find some new capabilities for their handhelds without the hassle of signing up for a pay service,” Mr. Hyland said.