It’s not official yet, but FCC Chairman Kevin Martin (one of five relevant votes) has decided to allow the merge between Sirius and XM satellite radio providers. However, there are a few caveats that the companies would need to accept–but it’s all good news for the consumer.
Sirius’ update to its Starmate line, the Starmate 5, is currently in front of the FCC for testing, and it looks like it might have a little trick up its sleeve. The gadget includes the standard abilities to pause, rewind, and replay up to 44 minutes of live radio, a memo feature to store up to 30 favourite artists or songs and a wide-angle 5 line display, but it also might just have the ability to play XM radio stations as well.
I used to sleep through class by tuning my mobile’s FM radio to a classical station, sitting in the back, and putting a jacket over my face, so this XM Radio on BlackBerry is pretty spectacular news. All you need is a BlackBerry 8800, 8700, Pearl or Curve and US$7.99 a month. You’ll get 20 “exclusive” XM channels (list after the jump), and you can download the app here or text “XM” to 47201. Time for a nap. Since this uses the phone’s regular data connection, you hopefully won’t be forced to wear giant ridiculous looking headphones in order to get reception.
The long-lobbied-for XM/Sirius merger is starting to pick up some optimistic vibes from Wall Street and analysts, who are beginning to think it might just happen. In fact, one analyst group, Cowen & Co., not only says that the odds are the “best ever,” they’re wagering on FCC approval before Dec. 4, possibly as early as next month. Of course, analysts’ words are far from gospel, but the mood toward the merger seems much sunnier than it did months ago, so keep your ears open. [Orbitcast]
The honkin’ GM Sirius box, which replaces the XM box currently found in most XM-enabled GM cars 2003 and newer. This new Sirius box is compatible with about 8 million cars on the road. There are boxes from Directed that do the same for Hondas, Toyotas and Lexus autos, too.
In spite of having hardware partners, XM still develops its products in-house, which explains why every XM product has the same basic look and feel. The XpressRC, technically from Delphi, marries the color screen you’ve seen on the Samsung Helix/Pioneer Inno product with the XpressR-style split screen for browsing without losing “now playing” info.
XM CEO Hugh Panero was expected to step down after the Sirius merger, since Mel Karmazin was slated to be CEO of the new two headed monster. Now it’s official. Here’s hoping the soulless bot-DJs go next. [PR Newswire]
Picking and choosing your favorite stations on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio might be a delightful result of the merger between the two companies, at least that’s what the companies are saying will happen if their proposed deal goes through the FCC gauntlet. That’s just the beginning, too, because the companies add that their subscriptions will cost 46% less. Here are a couple of examples the companies announced today.
Say, we haven’t heard from the RIAA in a little while. What are they up to? Oh, evil you say? So nothing new. The latest offense is the RIAA mounting a court challenge to force satellite radio companies XM and Sirius to pay them more in licensing fees and not allow users to record songs they hear.
You know, like how when people learned how to tape songs off the radio in the 80s it almost killed the industry. They’re trying to avoid another disaster like that. The RIAA is using the proposed XM-Sirius merger to get their anti-consumer message out there, requesting that the whole approval process hinge on their wishes. It’s all about you, isn’t it RIAA? So selfish.
You’ve got to love the fact that the RIAA is throwing their weight around to put pressure on a couple of companies that actually get money from music fans. Why work with them when you can send legions of flesh-eating lawyers after anyone who tries to build a successful business model around music? [News.com]
