MySpace and Research In Motion
announced they are joining forces to develop an integrated
MySpace Mobile experience customized for BlackBerry smartphones. The
new MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones application is fully optimized
to deliver rich content and data to users on the go.
MySpace for
BlackBerry smartphones integrates MySpace's main social networking
components with the BlackBerry platform to provide instant, push-based
messaging to BlackBerry and MySpace users. The application will be
available in all BlackBerry markets globally. RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie
will highlight the MySpace and RIM relationship during his keynote
speech at CTIA.
As part of this collaboration, RIM is also creating a BlackBerry
community page on MySpace for users to access the latest BlackBerry
smartphone news, content, videos, games, ringtones, skins and other
unique and engaging features.
"MySpace and RIM are at the forefront of the mobile social
networking evolution," said Chris DeWolfe, chief executive officer of
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."
"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," said Jim Balsillie,
Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "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."
Mobile social networking is on the rise, with analysts forecasting
over 800 million people worldwide accessing social networks through
their mobile phones by 2012, up from 82 million in 2007, according to
eMarketer. With social networking becoming a large part of the mobile
consumer experience, RIM and MySpace are poised to provide consumers
easier and deeper engagement with the services they love.
Through this partnership MySpace is further committing to mobile as
a central element of the MySpace global business strategy. Today's news
follows the launch of MySpace's redesigned mobile website, http://m.myspace.com,
which now receives more than two million daily unique mobile visits.
Around the world MySpace has more than 27 live carrier deals in 20
countries all bringing social networking to consumers wherever and
whenever they want.
Mobile Application
By empowering MySpace and BlackBerry smartphone users with real-time
access to their global network, MySpace and RIM are responding to users
demanding a mobile experience that matches their busy lifestyle. In
addition, the enhanced version of MySpace Mobile for BlackBerry
smartphones is tailored to the rapidly growing number of mobile
multimedia users.
Application Features
The MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones application is designed with a rich and robust feature set, including:
- A full messaging interface, including comments, bulletins and messaging
- Real time status and mood updates.
- Find, add, and respond to friend requests
- Camera integration and optimized photo management allowing users to snap, sort and upload pictures anytime and anywhere.
- View and comment on friends' albums and photos
- Notification of new MySpace events (message and friend requests.)
BlackBerry® Hub
The BlackBerry® hub is a community page on My Space that will
deliver a unique experience rich in content for BlackBerry smartphone
users.
BlackBerry Hub Features
- Sign up to be notified when the MySpace application becomes available
- Product demo of the new BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone, including a tutorial for using the MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones application
- "Graduate to BlackBerry" contest
- BlackBerry smartphone cheats - snack-sized videos that are easy to
pass around or a text/visual guide that users can send to each other.
Users will be able to add their own tips in video/text format. - Marketplace - showcasing games, ringtones etc.
- Exclusive wallpapers featuring the MySpace and BlackBerry brands
- Product demo of the mobile application
- Section dedicated to top BlackBerry smartphone applications
- BlackBerry smartphone profile skins for MySpace
Availability
The new MySpace for BlackBerry smartphones application is expected to be available globally from October 2008