Filed under: Multimedia, Software, iTunes, Beta Beat
Beta Beat: BlackBerry Media Sync for OS X
Back in September, we started hearing rumblings that RIM was developing native OS X utilities for Mac BlackBerry users. Finally, RIM has released a preview version (on 12/19) of its BlackBerry Media Sync utility for OS X. It's no Desktop Manager, but at least it is a start.
BlackBerry Media Sync is designed to let you easily sync iTunes playlists (minus any DRM files) with your BlackBerry device. In August, PocketMac added a similar feature to its software, which is available for free from RIM's web site for all BlackBerry owners.
Basically, BlackBerry Media Sync will let you use your BlackBerry as an iPod shuffle (again, with the caveat that any iTunes DRM songs will not transfer to your BlackBerry). You can sync specific playlists or just have the free space automatically filled by your music collection.
There are some things you need to be aware of:
BlackBerry Media Sync is designed to let you easily sync iTunes playlists (minus any DRM files) with your BlackBerry device. In August, PocketMac added a similar feature to its software, which is available for free from RIM's web site for all BlackBerry owners.
Basically, BlackBerry Media Sync will let you use your BlackBerry as an iPod shuffle (again, with the caveat that any iTunes DRM songs will not transfer to your BlackBerry). You can sync specific playlists or just have the free space automatically filled by your music collection.
There are some things you need to be aware of:
- If you have another BlackBerry syncing utility, like PocketMac or The Missing Sync installed, it will stop working after installing BlackBerry Media Sync. You will need to uninstall BlackBerry Media Sync and probably reinstall your other software to regain functionality.
- It is slow. At least in my tests, syncing using the BlackBerry Media Sync app was slower than just dragging an album/playlist over to the BlackBerry's Music folder in Finder.
- When you sync, it seems to re-transfer playlists all over again, even if they haven't changed.
Thanks Justen!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EMoShunz said 5:26PM on 12-22-2008
about time. now i don't feel so bad about having to be on bell... no iphone for me :(
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PistolPeet said 5:35PM on 12-22-2008
You've left a PIN un-blurred! Eeeeep!
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FrankNoStorm said 5:43PM on 12-22-2008
Great
Does not work with BB 8703e.
Alas, only 2 more weeks until I can get an iPhone.
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jake said 5:49PM on 12-22-2008
Interesting. I'd have thought that RIM would want to allow no excuse (other than personal preference which admittedly counts for a lot) for a Mac owner to pick an IPhone & that they would bust a gut putting out a Blackberry Desktop Manager for OS X. Then again, maybe this is them busting a gut. They aren't alone though. Nokia can't get organized on this either. Understandably brand-centric of them, but short-sighted in the end I think.
Tune4Mac allows a work around of sorts on Apple DRM btw.
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Evan said 5:49PM on 12-22-2008
Blurring an image doesn't mean you are safe. There are ways to reverse the blurring process to reveal the information. You should just block it out with a color. If you really don't want information leaked in an image, destroy it, don't leave a blurred bread crumb trail to follow.
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dlim said 7:32PM on 12-22-2008
Uh, give up Missing Sync that syncs a whole lot more for Media Sync that only syncs music?! No thanks!
What's RIM smoking? :P
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Dizez66 said 10:55PM on 12-22-2008
It's jut the start man. No maybe there devloping desktop manager and this is just a proof of concept to tell us they haven't forgotten us mac users
Lesson said 7:47PM on 12-22-2008
Thanks for information ;)
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Jared said 1:29AM on 12-23-2008
Came out today? Really TUAW? Try it was released on the 19th... http://is.gd/d5n7
Get your facts straight please...
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Michael Rose said 11:25AM on 12-23-2008
Post amended. Thanks for the correction.
mat said 4:40AM on 12-23-2008
I'm on a intel iMac 10.5.6 and on install i get:
This software does not support your current operating system.
Please upgrade to the latest version.
Well done RIM!
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Ryan said 12:35AM on 1-20-2009
has anyone figured out a way to get this thing to stop re-syncing all the playlists???? Makes this pretty annoying and when you have an 8gb card thats almost full!!
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