While much of the media focus revolves around super phones like the iPhone or the Voyager, the reality remains that most consumers just want cheap (or free) phones and cheap service. So Motorola has come out with a fresh crop of decidedly low-end phones to appease the critical masses.
Enter Motorola's new "W series" phones.
And the W160, W180, W213 and W377 (pictured above) all feature integrated FM radios.
Motorola said the phones, which would sell at an affordable price point, are meant for people who just want to talk and send text messages on easy-to-use phones or who are looking to upgrade their basic cell phones.
For many future W series owners, this will be the first - and only - handheld FM radio they own. Sure, some people might have a handheld FM radio to listen to the game - but most people don't see the value at carrying around a radio with them. Radios aren't something you buy, they just happen to be there. But with an integrated radio in a common everyday phone, now it's just automatically in their pocket.
Satellite Radio needs to get into cell phones just as much as they need to get into vehicles. I'm not talking about piggy-backing on the carrier's networks, but integrating the chipset into phones so people can experience the full service. Integration is the key. The problem with satellite radio - and it's a big one - is the lack of reception indoors. In order to be integrated into people's lives, and into their pockets, you need to be available to them everywhere.
[Motorola]
Satrad recievers integrated into cell phones would mean shortened battery life as satrad gobbles up batteries. Using today's technology the overall size would be big when compared to some of the current digital phones. It will be done eventually (I hope), just not right now.
Integrating a chipset into a cell phone wouldn't be too hard.
Here's my idea:
Dockable Cellphone, use the Nexus as a model. Sharing the microSD slot for memory, this can basically be a Nexus with a cellphone attached to it without increasing the size of the tiny Nexus or a cellphone significantly. Slap on a universal dock and this can go from car to home dock, programable recordings keep XM in the users ear even if live reception isn't available. Also, a cellphone connected through a car stereo has an added selling point of built-in handsfree capabilities which is becomingmore and more necesary as states pass cell phone and driving laws.
There's no reason this couldn't be produced by a motivated carrier. Samsung, maker of the Nexus, is also a major cell phone manufacturer.
I wonder what would consume less battery, satellite/terrestrial reception or data streamed over a cell phone network.
My guess is data streamed over gprs or hdspa, but I could be wrong. Heck, I could be wrong about the acronyms.
Nonetheless, cell phone/sat radio is a very compelling device. In the current environment with uncertainty of XM/Sirius merging, it is hard for consumers to take the plunge on a stand alone device offered by either corps.
As far as this article mentioning about Satellite radio's problem of not being able to be received indoors, that's actially not the case with XM, since they have several terrestrial repeaters located around the country, designed for reception of XM's service in tunnels or in urban areas with tall buildings, or indoors, since the signal from these repeaters is receivable in much the same way as a traditional AM or FM signal. (I'm not sure if Sirius has a ground-based repeater network, I think they might be satellite-only.) Hopefully if a satellite radio receiver is to be integrated in to a cellphone, it will have the capability to receive these repeaters, hence eliminating the need to relay the satellite radio provider's streams over the cell phone network.
As far as this article mentioning about Satellite radio's problem of not being able to be received indoors, that's actially not the case with XM, since they have several terrestrial repeaters located around the country, designed for reception of XM's service in tunnels or in urban areas with tall buildings, or indoors, since the signal from these repeaters is receivable in much the same way as a traditional AM or FM signal. (I'm not sure if Sirius has a ground-based repeater network, I think they might be satellite-only.) Hopefully if a satellite radio receiver is to be integrated in to a cellphone, it will have the capability to receive these repeaters, hence eliminating the need to relay the satellite radio provider's streams over the cell phone network.
Excellent post Ryan/Orbitcast (Not the moron Ryan who commented above about Sirius not having repeaters LOL!) .
One question Ryan - on the CONTRACTS sports have for cellphone broadcasts. Would integrating satellite radio/cell phones be able to broadcast sat radio sports? I tend to doubt that, although I wish they would. I think it would be more like the internet offerings Sirius and XM have.
I sure would love to listen to Howard on my cell phone.
Muscle, the contracts are pretty strict about the means of transmission. If the information came over the cell phone's network, then no, the sports would not be allowed to be broadcast. If they came via a satellite antenna, then yes. Just becase it's on a cell phone doesn't mean it's being broadcast by the cell phone company. Think streaming audio played over Smartphones.
"Muscle, the contracts are pretty strict about the means of transmission. If the information came over the cell phone's network, then no, the sports would not be allowed to be broadcast."
Hope you are right. 230 million cars. 230 million cell phones. I would be disappointed if sat radio made a deal with the iPod instead of cell phones. Its too late in the cycle. I think cell phones will replace the iPod.
Meant to include this last quote when saying hope you are right CalGoldenBear
"If they came via a satellite antenna, then yes."
My 2001 Motorola cellphone had an FM radio. I could never figure out why I'd want to waste my cellphone battery listening to FM. Granted, batteries have improved a bit in 6 years, but I'm still keeping my cellphone as a discrete item. A separate fileplayer/satellite radio/terrestrial radio unit would be fine. At least if its battery dies, I can still make a call.
Hot air Balloons and uplifting experience
I have the W377 and love it. It has builted in games that don't use my minutes and the radio is great when I am running and still no using my minutes. It is a great camera phone too. I just cann't say enough about this phone.