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November 10, 2008
BlackBerry Weather Wars � Weather Channel Mobile Now Available
By David Sims, TMCnet Contributing Editor
Call it the “Weather Wars.”
Shortly after AccuWeather announced support for BlackBerry (News - Alert), the Weather Channel Mobile introduced its latest weather application for BlackBerry devices, The Weather Channel 2.0 for BlackBerry.
The new application includes a GPS Location Tracker, interactive maps with user-controlled weather layers, and a home screen temperature indicator that turns red when severe weather threatens.
The application provides localized weather data with such features such as metro traffic maps, the ability to nickname and save favorite locations (such as “Mom’s house,” “The Empire State Building,” “ex-husband’s filthy hovel”), and the ability to e-mail or text weather information to friends and family.
Using GPS, The Weather Channel can pinpoint a user’s location and provide detailed conditions within a mile and a half, with proprietary technology from The Weather Channel. It also has customizable maps with user-controlled weather layers like radar, clouds, snowfall and more.
Integration with the BlackBerry address book that allows sharing weather information with contacts in your address book, via e-mail or text message, is also available. Metro traffic maps and incident detail are included.
The application – shown at right – can be purchased starting November 3. Prices range from $12.99 for three months to $34.99 for one year.
A couple of weeks ago AccuWeather.com announced the launch of a service that will make deeper AccuWeather.com information more easily accessible on BlackBerry smart phones.
Users can subscribe to this new free service directly from their BlackBerry smart phone and an icon will appear on their home screen that displays high-level weather conditions based on weather data regularly “pushed” to the smart phone; users can also click on the weather icon to instantly access the most updated and more detailed weather information including hourly forecasts, 10-day forecasts, severe weather alerts, and radar images.
Also a couple weeks ago, Rave Wireless (News - Alert) announced “deeper product integration” between Rave’s safety applications and the BlackBerry.
Rave Wireless officials say they’ll benefit from the global use of BlackBerry smart phones, and will work with Research In Motion’s sales groups to market Rave Wireless’ products within higher education and other vertical markets.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
David Sims is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of David's articles, please visit his columnist page. He also blogs for TMCnet here.
Edited by Michael Dinan
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