NYT Releases BlackBerry App

Sometimes it seems like media companies are so focused on launching mobile applications in the popular iPhone format that they forget that other types of smartphones exist. It may be surprising that The New York Times has never had an application for BlackBerry smartphones before today, but for BlackBerry users like us, it has been a long time coming. While it hasn't been impossible to read the Times via its mobile site on a BlackBerry, the new free application promises to automatically update with breaking news and allow users to read news offline, too. The app features a bar along the bottom with shortcuts to your four favorite sections, and when reading articles its easy to email them or save for later. As faithful BlackBerry users, we're excited to take the app for a test run. Will you be checking it out? Full release after the jump Related: Financial Times Comes To Your Mobile Phone NEW YORK TIMES RELEASES APPLICATION FOR BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONES NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2009 -- The New York Times announced today the release of the NYTimes application for BlackBerry smartphones (http://www.nytimes.com/bbapp), which allows readers to enjoy current news and information from The Times on the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones. Available for free at www.nytimes.com/bbapp, the NYTimes application formats content for optimal navigation and display on BlackBerry smartphones, offers automatic synching and allows users to store articles directly to their devices for offline reading. For the launch, the NYTimes BlackBerry application is available for the latest BlackBerry smartphone models: the BlackBerry Tour, the BlackBerry Storm, the Blackberry Bold and the 8900-Curve 2. For readers with other BlackBerry smartphone models, The Times has shortcuts to its mobile site available at http://www.mobile.nytimes.com. "Mobile continues to be a very popular way for Times readers to access our content," said Marc Frons, chief technology officer, digital operations, The New York Times Company. "With this new application for BlackBerry smartphones, we are offering BlackBerry users with the latest models a faster, more dynamic and more personalized experience for reading up-to-the-minute news, analysis and opinion from NYTimes.com." Features of The NYTimes application for BlackBerry smartphones include: Offline reading -- access stored and saved content while airplane mode is activated and in areas without cellular network coverage. Simple navigation -- view articles and pictures quickly. Customization options -- specify favorite sections, set synching frequency and adjust font size to customize the experience. Save and Share â€“ save articles on the smartphone or share articles via e-mail and SMS text. UPS is the advertising sponsor for the launch of the NYTimes BlackBerry application. The application syncs via Wi-Fi or cellular network and downloads the most recent news directly to the user's BlackBerry smartphone. When the application is left open in the background, it automatically updates for the latest news from NYTimes.com. The application was developed and designed by The New York Times.

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NYT Releases BlackBerry App

Amanda Ernst

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Amanda Ernst