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Slacker Radio shows off next round of music apps

At CTIA Wireless conference, Slacker Internet Radio demos apps for Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile, but won't tell us when to keep our eyes peeled.

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Jessica Dolcourt Editorial Director, Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt's career with CNET began in 2006, and spans reviews, reporting, analysis and commentary for desktop software; mobile software, including the very first Android and iPhone apps and operating systems; and mobile hardware, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of practical advice on expansive topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
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Jessica Dolcourt
2 min read
Slacker Radio 3.0 on the Storm
Slacker Radio 3.0 (to be) on the BlackBerry Storm. Slacker Radio

Earlier today at CTIA Wireless 2009 (see all stories), Slacker Radio demoed its new apps for Windows Mobile, Android, and Blackberry phones. In typical slacker Radio fashion, the applications looked sleek, suave, and dark--we're not sure about dangerous. All three apps are gravitating toward a similar, standard look that tweaks the interface to add the same small improvements across the board: a new screen that tiles lyrics (visible in full with the Radio Plus subscription), biographies, and a review, and an area that reminds you which song is playing while you browse other categories.

You'll see this Slacker widget on Android someday soon.
You'll see this Slacker Radio widget on Android someday soon. Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

The trio of Slacker Radio apps will also start seeing some integration with social networks. The first network integration, Twitter, launched on Wednesday night in a partial offering with loose ends that the native apps will hopefully tie up.

In terms of application development, that's not much to boast about. However, the Android app is slated to receive a Now Playing home screen widget with a few basic playback controls, but no capability to change stations. The BlackBerry app (version 3.0) will soon be able to sync cached stations with your computer via Wi-Fi and the data connection, not just through a USB cable, as it does now. This is the change we've been waiting for, and out of the bundle, it's the most important one Slacker is offering.

The second catch? No firm release dates yet. Slacker hints that all three apps will pop into being by the end of 2009, but the streaming music site that competes with Pandora and Last.FM hasn't been able--or willing--to commit to a time frame.

Last.fm is a part of CBS Interactive, which also publishes CNET Reviews.