Slacker Radio comes to Windows Mobile and my new HD2

There are many factors that go into making smartphone purchase decisions and as I sat down looking at the T-Mobile HD2 I listed Evernote, a good Twitter app (I use moTweets on WM), Facebook, Exchange email, ebook reader, Slacker streaming music, and more as essential apps for me. Slacker was never before seen on Windows Mobile, but with the HD2 release today they officially launched their WM client for the HD2 and other WM 6.5 devices. This is just one app/service, but it honestly had an influence on my decision today. BTW, I went to my local T-Mobile store to discover I was actually eligible for that amazing $199.99 price and bought one on the spot after waiting in line for 25 minutes. I thought for sure I was going to have to pay the $450 price so was extremely pleased with this deal. The store was also crazy this morning with 20 people ahead of me 15 minutes after they opened.

Slacker Radio is now available for free download for WM 6.5 devices with a screen resolution of 480 x 800. It is actually pre-installed on my new HD2 so stay tuned for some hands-on impressions soon. The following are the features on the WM application:

• Music library featuring millions of songs
• High-quality stereo playback from any available wireless connection
• Create custom artist stations based on artists or songs
• Over 120 professionally programmed and customizable genre stations
• View artist biographies and photos
• View album art and read reviews
• Rate songs as favorites
• Ban songs and artists from stations

I do not see station caching in this version, but all the other mobile operating system versions launched without it to start as well. I am sure Slacker is working on it for WM too and once that comes there is less of a need for Zune and the sting of no Windows Phone 7 Series upgrade should be easier to handle.