I had the chance to check out the SIRIUS/XM Radio App and I have to admit, I can see where the die-hard SIRIUS/XM users are thrilled. The app is free to download and free to use for seven days, but to use beyond that means you have to subscribe to the service. The app actually works great with the SIRIUS/XM’s Premium Online content. Ready to get more Sirius?
So what is SIRIUS/XM? SIRIUS XM is Satellite radio, from which you can listen to what you want when you want. It’s 100% commercial-free. There are over 130 channels available, sports, news, talk, and comedy channels. It has crystal-free coast to coast coverage. But for the BlackBerry app, it’s slightly different. So let’s see what the SIRIUSs XM app has and does.
The SIRIUS/XM app for BlackBerry states it has over 120 channels, slightly shy of the full satellite radio.
So these are the main features:
- Surf through over 120 channels of SIRIUS XM Premium Online Programming on the go.
- Bookmark SIRIUS XM internet channels for fast, easy access through a “Favorites” function.
- View the current channel plus what is playing on all other channels via the “Lookaround” function.
BlackBerry with compatible devices can download the app for free and register for a free 7-day trial to SIRIUS XM Premium Online on the smartphone. If you want to listen past the 7-day trial, you will have to either subscribe or be a current subscriber to the service.
I installed the SIRIUS XM app for BlackBerry on my BlackBerry Tour 9630, running 5.0. It installed quickly and easily onto my Tour. I had the page to sign in, and it was that easy. For some reason, the first time I ran it, it made my phone heat up to the point where it wouldn’t charge and I had to do a battery cool and wait a few so my BlackBerry cool down a bit. But after the first day and the battery pull, it hasn’t done that again.
When you open the app, you can see your battery life and time on the top left and the bars of service on the top right. The SIRIUS/XM bar is after thant and you see: Home, Categories, Channels, Favorites, and Settings. Home will show you what channel you’re on and what’s playing. Categories list the following: Pop (15 channels); Rock (21 channels); Dance & Electronic (5 channels); Hip Hip/R&B (7 channels); Country (7 channels); Christian (3 channels); Jazz, Blues & Standards (8 channels); Classical (3 channels); Latin & World (3 channels); Sports (6 channels); Entertainment (9 channels); Family/Health (3 channels); Comedy (4 channels); News & Public Radio (9 channels); Talk (7 channels); Religion (4 channels); and Showcase (4 channels).
I’ll give you an example of the stations
- SIRIUS XM Hits 1
- The Blend
- SIRIUS XM LOVE
- 40s on 4 (Big Bands and Swing)
- 50s on 5
- 60s on 6
- 70s on 7
- 80s on 8
- 90s on 9
- BBC Radio 1
- The Pulse
- Alt Nation
- SIRIUS XM NU Indie Rock
and more
And of course all kinds of sports and talks shows including: MLB Home Plate, SIRIUS NFL Radio, NHL Home Ice, PGA TOUR, Mad Dog Radio with Chris Russo, CNN, Fox News Talk, NPR, The Foxxhole channel presented by Jamie Foxx, Blue Collar Comedy Radio, The Virus featuring Opie & Anthony, Playboy Radio, Rosie Radio, Oprah Radio, and Martha Stewart Living Radio.
Music is clear, and there’s a great selection out there. I was even happy to hear George Carlin on the comedy channel. You can find FAQs and Tips through your settings. I loved that I could find The Alan Parsons Project, the Beatles, even old ACDC. I liked the app, the music and the quality.
Cons: What I didn’t like about the app is the bit of a long pause when the radio is interrupted by some sort of incoming message. And I know I’ve been used to Pandora as SIRIUS is a true radio as the song is playing in real time. Only a 7-day trial then you must pay or be a current subscriber to go beyond. Of course, if you love SIRIUS, there’s no contest.
Pros: Music is clear, There’s quite the variety. You could listen for hours with the variety that is offered. This is the perfect compliment to having SIRIUS at home and in your car. Be SIRIUS and make it mobile.
The SIRIUS XM app is compatible with the following BlackBerry Devices: Curve 8500, Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Storm/Storm2, and the Tour 9630.
