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:

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.

Still, we finally have a native RIM utility for OS X. Hopefully a full-fledged Desktop Manager is in the future.

Thanks Justen!

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Source: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/media/mediasync.jsp#ta…

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Multimedia Software iTunes Beta Beat

Back in September, we started hearing rumblings that RIM was developing native OS X utilities for Mac BlackBerry users. Finally, RIM...

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Ryan

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!!

January 17 2009 at 4:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mat

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!

December 23 2008 at 4:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jared

Came out today? Really TUAW? Try it was released on the 19th... http://is.gd/d5n7

Get your facts straight please...

December 23 2008 at 1:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Jared's comment

Michael Rose

Post amended. Thanks for the correction.

December 23 2008 at 11:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Lesson

Thanks for information ;)

__________________________
http://tinyurl.com/4rdhmc

December 22 2008 at 7:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

weatherman

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

December 22 2008 at 7:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to weatherman's comment

Dizez66

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

December 22 2008 at 10:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

eSystm

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.

December 22 2008 at 5:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jake

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.

December 22 2008 at 5:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

FrankNoStorm

Great
Does not work with BB 8703e.

Alas, only 2 more weeks until I can get an iPhone.

December 22 2008 at 5:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

PistolPeet

You've left a PIN un-blurred! Eeeeep!

December 22 2008 at 5:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

EMoShunz

about time. now i don't feel so bad about having to be on bell... no iphone for me :(

December 22 2008 at 5:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply