Details emerge on XM Phoenix handheld satellite radio

Sirius' Starmate 5 stopped by the FCC last month, so it's only fair to see a portable player from the "other side" mentioned as this month draws to a close. Orbitcast has it that a new handheld satellite radio is floating around the labs with a codename Phoenix. Early word suggests that it is "slightly smaller than the existing Inno with a much slicker interface and a rotating wheel that functions similar to the SkyFi 2." There's also a microSD slot for external music (and external music alone), a screen size larger than that of the Inno and a small possibility for WiFi. The unit should be loosed on the general public this fall, but we'll be sure to keep an ear out for more details as the run-up continues.

[Ken @ Jun 24th 2008 9:14AM]

Hell the Inno is small as it is. I just hope this gets better sound quality. Something that has the reception of the Inno (or better) and the sound quality of the Stiletto would be nice.

[Artie Lange @ Jun 24th 2008 9:25AM]

It'll make a nice paperweight after XM goes bankrupt.

[jimmy @ Jun 24th 2008 9:36AM]

thats terrible, i'm sorry

[John @ Jun 24th 2008 10:13AM]

Stern Sucks.

RON FEZ NOON TO 3

[Linger @ Jun 24th 2008 10:29AM]

LIIIIIIINGER LOOOOOOOOOOOONGER

[me @ Jun 24th 2008 11:08AM]

Oh No You Didn't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lillllllllllllllloger

[gt-racer @ Jun 24th 2008 4:08PM]

Sir you are misinformed. As my broker would say "If you don't understand these types of markets, you don't even belong in this conversation."



Libliiiibb Longer

[Zadillo @ Jun 24th 2008 9:30AM]

Is there some deal where any new devices currently being released will be capable of receiving all stations from a combined Sirius/XM? I'm somewhat interested in a device like this (I have an XM module for the Alpine head unit in my car), but it seems like it might be hard to justify buying any new equipment if it's going to become obsoleted once the merger completes. Has there been any official word on that yet?

[Matt @ Jun 24th 2008 9:56AM]

All Sirius/XM hardware will still work once the merger is complete.

[kjb434 @ Jun 24th 2008 9:45AM]

Yes,

They are in the final stages of government approvals for allowing the merger, but in the end, satellite radio will not last.

Why pay someone to give you music when you can get it for free on terrestrial radio? And if you have issues with commercials, then use and MP3 player or get a hard drive based car stereo.

The business model for satellite radio will be its end. I can soon see more and more commercials creep into satellite radio programming on the more popular programs.

[LC @ Jun 24th 2008 10:37AM]

"Why pay someone to give you music when you can get it for free on terrestrial radio?"

The same reason people pay for television programming through cable, satellite and even iTunes, even though they get free television over the air. More choices.

[John @ Jun 24th 2008 10:54AM]

Why? Oh, because in a half an hour drive to work all I hear is commercials on terrestrial radio. It's all owned by the same company so they sync the commercials to the exact same time. Fuck, if XM was 40 a month i'd pay it.

[kjb434 @ Jun 24th 2008 11:03AM]

If XM and Sirius are so great, then why they can't hold onto customers and people are running in droves to sign up?

About 30% of there customers (on both brands) are people who happen to get the product for free in a car and then end up not paying for it when the free period ends.

It got so bad with Sirius that when customers stopped paying, they wouldn't cut the service. They needed to keep showing their investors they have a large subscriber base and it was growing.

I just don't see the concept lasting more than about 5-10 more years.

The whole point of the merger is that they will cut their programming cost dramatically by eliminating many channels that produce similar content. Both companies have not ruled out adding advertising to all of its channels.

The addition of more and more ads in the future will definitely be the alarms sounding for the end of satellite radio. Also, the addition of HD radio makes terrestial radio quality go up to meet satellite radio.

[B @ Jun 24th 2008 11:32AM]

I had XM when it was $9.95/month. I had it for like a year, then got a notice in the mail that I had to pre-pay for like 3 years of service to keep the $9.95/mo rate. Otherwise, I would have paid $11.95/mo for 2 years and $12.95/mo for 1 year. No thanks.

The concept isn't bad, but like the cable and cell phone companies, they love jackin up the prices.

[LC @ Jun 24th 2008 3:43PM]

Satellite radio will be here for a lot longer than 10 years. Right now around 17 million people choose to pay for their programming than to get it for free. The NAB sees the writing on the wall, which is why they spent millions in advertising trying to squash the merger, while at the same time telling everyone that they aren't in competition with them.

All the arguments about Satellites demise were used when Cable first came out. People could just not believe that one would choose to pay for something that they could get free.

It all comes down to programming. Free means nothing if the programming is littered with endless commercials and the DJ stepping all over the intro of the songs and cutting the back end of them. That's not even mentioning the generic clear channel crap that is played on the airwaves.

If I had to choose between a free Big Mac or a $60 Filet Mignon, I would pay for the steak. The same is true for what Music/Talk service I would choose.

[E. Douglas Jensen @ Jun 25th 2008 9:37AM]

Terrestial radio doesn't play the kinds of music I like. And while I do use an MP3 player for music I like in my car, XM constantly delivers music I like that I never knew about. I would gladly pay twice the monthly fee I currently pay (and I have four subscriptions for my four radios). I doubt that satellite radio will go away, I have yet to hear what I regard as a valid argument for that.

[Jim @ Jun 24th 2008 10:14AM]

Seriously?

While I will agree with the commercial creep, satellite radio is the only thing I can guarantee I can pick up in 100% of the time, no matter where I go. The programing is top-notch and I would rather pay the $12 monthly charge then $1 a song.

[waterwagen @ Jun 24th 2008 11:54AM]

Exactly. Sat radio is less about no commercials (though that's definitely nice) and more about 1.) Same reception no matter where I go (long trip? no problem) or time of day, 2.) variety of channels, 3.) depth of playlists, 4.) niche programming (e.g. old time radio) you can't get on free radio.

If you pay for cable/satellite tv, then you know exactly why people pay for sat radio. Add in the reception issue and you've got the picture.

[Ezerick @ Jun 24th 2008 10:39AM]

Jim,
Right on. I live in an area where I can't get clear radio reception, and even if I did, most radio stations suck.

I'd rather pay $12 a month and have the options that I get with satellite.

[BlueThunder @ Jun 24th 2008 11:51AM]

kjb434,

You are correct about new subscribers mostly being free intro users. My 3 month XM intro offer was set to expire yesterday, but just for the heck of it I thought I'd check the talk shows on the way to work this morning and I still haven't been cut off.

It really isn't worth $12 a month. XM called a few weeks ago and offered me another 3 month intro for $15 ($5/month). I thought about it, but declined since I know I'd end up giving them my credit card and billing info and forget to cancel it once the promo ended.

[eddy @ Jun 24th 2008 1:16PM]

Still love my XM, over four years running now.

Some of their music stations have introduced me to new music (and albums that I've purchased) that I wouldn't have been aware of with terrestrial radio. Seriously, is there a terrestrial station in the US that plays bands like Margot & The Nuclear So and So's or Small Sins? And I don't mean college stations with reception that goes in and out at the drop of a hat.

Plus, I get my O&A fix every day along with Ron & Fez. And XM Home Ice. And XM Comedy.

[Murphy @ Jun 24th 2008 2:20PM]

1) all XM hardware is crap(3 radios for me in 3 years).
2) if your hardware is from Samsung you are screwed(they have honed the art of making it impossible to get legit warranty service).
3) but i do like xm so i continue to take it

[Thomas @ Jun 25th 2008 9:42AM]

I like my XM for old-time radio, uncensored comedy, and the Deep Tracks station when I want to listen to music. I pay $41-something per quarter and I think it's well worth it. Some of the talk shows are interesting too.