The NewsDemon Blog

Research in Motion is turning the BlackBerry into a fully featured digital media entertainment centre.

A series of agreements with companies like TiVo, Ticketmaster, Slacker, MySpace and Microsoft will bring new digital content and media services to the company’s BlackBerry wireless platform.

The new relationship between TiVo and RIM will, for example, allow BlackBerry smartphone users to see what shows are on TV and let them schedule recordings while away from home.

The companies say they will focus on software applications to simplify mobile access to video content in the future.

Slacker and RIM, meanwhile, will enable users to hear their favorite Slacker radio stations wherever they go – even when not connected to a wireless network.

As well, RIM and Ticketmaster have announced a live entertainment agreement, letting BlackBerry users browse music listings, listen to sample cuts, and finally, purchase tickets to related live event.

“TiVo subscribers will soon be able to wirelessly control their TiVo DVRs using a BlackBerry smartphone – anytime, anywhere – and that is a powerful example of how our respective technologies can complement each other to serve our mutual customers,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion. “As the BlackBerry smartphone continues its evolution as a modern lifestyle device, the importance of home entertainment integration will continue to grow and TiVo will be the key in providing consumers with greater flexibility in accessing television content.”

“TiVo continues to transform and revolutionize the way people control and watch television and broadband video,” said Tom Rogers, CEO and President of TiVo Inc. “RIM and TiVo share a commitment to great user experiences, which cause our products to become seamlessly integrated into the consumer’s lifestyle. We also share a vision for the future of mobile entertainment services and we look forward to a variety of future innovations as a result of this relationship.”

The first software application from RIM and TiVo is expected to be available later this year. Under terms of the Ticketmaster agreement, RIM’s popular suite of BlackBerry smartphones was exclusively designated as the “Official Smartphone of Ticketmaster.”

With this agreement, Ticketmaster moves beyond the physical ticket to providing wireless, fan-friendly convenience with BlackBerry.

BlackBerry users will be able to browse, search, and purchase tickets to live entertainment while on the go, the companies describe.