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June 10, 2005
Satellite Radio via Cell phones - the next step, but how?
Inside Bay Area has a little news bit on the expanding portability of Satellite Radio. They mention the new deal between XM and Audible to create their AudibleReady/XM Device, and mention the upcoming Xact ReGo for Sirius. OK great.
But even more interesting than any of that is this statement from Jim Collins from SIRIUS Satellite Radio talking about satellite radio integration with cell phones, “We are device agnostic. We are looking to operate on cell phones soon.”
Now, we all know that cellphone integration is the next logical step (though cell companies might want to work on nationwide coverage a little better) and both satellite radio company’s know this. I’m most impressed with the “soon” claim though. The question is, how soon? Sirius’ chipset can’t support the size needed for proper integration, that’s something everyone can admit. But Jim Collins would have said “within the next few years” if it was chipset integration he meant. What if something else is in the works?
What if “operate on cell phones soon” has nothing to do with all out integration - but instead delivery though the already integrated cell phone music services?
Food for thought.
June 10, 2005 08:42 AM
Comments
So wait. You're saying that instead of integrating through hardware, they might be integrating over the cell phone music networks instead? That's like the online satellite radio players using Windows Media Player for delivery. Just do the same with cell phones!
I think you're onto something.
Posted by: franku22 at June 10, 2005 09:46 AM
Anyone who has followed satellite radio knows that the word "soon", when spoken by Sirius, means "a very long time from now." 17.5 months ago, Sirius talked about video in 18 months. What I could see either service doing is providing the content that the cell phone companies provide over their networks. Then again, who the heck wants to listen to music on a crappy cell phone. I'll stick to my MyFi, wait for the next gen MyFi and keep my phone in my pocket.
Posted by: iband at June 10, 2005 12:41 PM
