Mobile TV service coming to Blackberry as early as next week?

Blackberries aren’t exactly known for their eye candy nor consumer oriented features.  Since birth they have been corporate workhorses.  However, since the launch of the iPhone, many companies have been scrambling to add features such as multi-touch screens and *successful* app stores.  Argue with me if you want, the flood of touch screen phones and app stores after Apple’s original speaks for itself.  *Stepping off my soap box*…so it appears RIM is trying to honor the claims of more consumer oriented features.  The Blackberry Storm was RIM’s direct response to Apple’s iPhone.  Though it hasn’t exactly had the best of launches.  While RIM did come out and issue quick updates for many of the issues, the Storm isn’t the “Storm” that it was expected to be.  So what is RIM’s next foray into consumer land?

Mobile TV.  Sure, you can download 3rd party video streaming apps such as Qik, Flixwagon, and Kyte among others.  According to New Tee Vee who are citing multiple sources, RIM could announce their Mobile TV service as early as next week!  TV on the go is something I’m sure at least a few Blackberry users would enjoy.  Could this be seen as an attempt to look “cooler” and more hip next to the iPhone and G1 amongst many other Nokia and Windows Mobile phones who have many free video apps already?  I mentioned free in the previous sentence because RIM’s TV service will come with a pricetag.  Will the pricetag keep people from trying it out?  Again, I’m sure many people would be willing to pay a small monthly fee to enjoy TV on their Berries.  However that depends on the fee and how many channels are provided assuming the channels are even worth watching.

So what’s the big difference between the streaming apps mentioned above and RIM’s new service?  Offline use. So far the many online video options for Blackberry users allow you to view video with a data conneciton (streaming).  RIM’s service would allow you to download movies and store them on your device.  There is one big drawback however…the service will as of right now, require WiFi to download videos.  So if you don’t have a Blackberry with WiFi…*cough..Storm..cough*, you’re out of luck.  Sadly, Verizon’s incompetence and stubborness in not including WiFi could come back to bite them.  With all of RIM’s Blackberry devices, the Storm is the “iPhone killer” that RIM set out to make.  The spacious screen is begging for some video action, too bad it won’t be getting any unless RIM makes a few changes to the TV service.  Yes I know Verizon’s network is all encompassing and fast, however it is not faster than WiFi no matter what they try to tell you.  Simple as that.

The fact that the Storm could lose out on a very promising money making feature is a shame.  A shame that didn’t have to happen.  How much will it cost?  Will you buy it?  How much is too much.  All questions we can’t answer quite yet.

So Storm owners who previously decried WiFi as useless, do you wish you had WiFi now?

Source:  Alley Insider