Polk I-Sonic ES2: Combined HD Radio with iPod (and drops XM?)
Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Tags: HD Radio, iPod, Polk, The Competition
Polk Audio has confirmed the rumors that they are releasing an HD Radio with integrated iPod dock that allows users to "tag" and purchase songs played over HD.
The Polk Audio I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 (available in October for $499) uses Apple's iTunes Tagging technology combined with a second generation HD Radio tuner with full multicasting capabilities. No where in the press release is XM mentioned except for the fact that XM was available in the first generation I-Sonic, so I can only assume that XM support was dropped.
The iTunes Tag button (located on the front of the I-Sonic ES2 and on the remote control) allows consumers to tag songs broadcast over properly encoded HD Radio broadcasts. The I-Sonic ES2 will store the information about the tagged songs to memory and transfer the data when the iPod is docked. Once the iPod is connected to iTunes, you get the option to preview and download the tagged songs.
For industry/merger watchers, the news serves as further proof of the intense competition between Satellite Radio, HD Radio and Digital Audio Players (iPods). Especially since XM was dropped in favor of the iPod: cementing Satellite Radio as competition against iPods even on the supply-side.
But while terrestrial radio is popping champaign over this announcement, you have to wonder who exactly benefits most from this move: Apple or Radio? Tagging songs so you can pay for them later isn't exactly a value add in the eyes of the consumer. And unlike the Starbucks/iTunes partnership, where Starbucks has the reputation as a music discovery outlet - Radio has the reputation for playing repetitive "hits" playlists. The consumers gets little that they can't already get from iTunes.
The consumer's experience doesn't matter though. In their desperate attempt to remain relevant, Radio is willing to lie down with lions... not realizing that they're lunch.
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Comments
one thing to remember is that Polk is owned by Directed Electronics. They are the supplier for all Sirius equipment. and they produce their own HD Radio after market equipment.
so it is in their best interest to not only make getting HD Radio easier but to cut out XM in this product.
Posted by: NWXMDUDE | September 6, 2007 5:40 PM
Radio is more like the fly buzzing around the ass of the lion.
Posted by: nhoJ | September 6, 2007 7:08 PM
Polk is now with Sirius...
http://www.i4u.com/article11333.html
Posted by: Philmore | September 6, 2007 9:34 PM
wait wait wait.... 500 bucks for a friggin radio.. Sat Rad laking in retail all together. Its just simple economic sense to drop a line of products that simply do not sell that much. Take a guess at how many of these Polk thingys were sold. I bet it aint even close to 100,000
Posted by: jeff | September 7, 2007 8:35 AM
Polk is making a Sirius compatible tuner, they are not "with Sirius".
Posted by: pfreak | September 7, 2007 3:41 PM
pfreak, Polk used to build XM tuners. they are no longer. Polk is now building a Sirius tuner. DEI purchased Polk. Therefore, "they are now with Sirius"
Posted by: Philmore | September 8, 2007 3:39 PM
One premium brand radio is not "with" anyone, it's just one of hundreds of products they build. I never considered them "with" XM either.
And aren't you for the merger dummy? This is an expensive radio that would need to be replaced if the merger went through & you wanted your precious yet expensive a la carte options.
Posted by: pfreak | September 10, 2007 9:21 AM
pfreak, if you think that $349 is "expensive", than i feel bad for you.
Posted by: Philmore | September 10, 2007 2:36 PM
It's $499 you dummy. And yes, $349 for a radio is expensive unless it's something along the lines of an Inno. I have a similar radio made by Cambridge Soundworks. It is a premium desktop radio with which I can still plug in any XM or Sirius PnP, no need to have a sub restricted to one non-portable radio. Not many people have $500 desktop radio's in their homes. Either it's a home stereo, HTIB or cheap boombox. I also have a Denon reciever w/XM built in. Guess what, it's not active. Why would I want a sub on my home stereo when I can just plug my Inno into it and have my sub be mobile? Go ahead and order a bunch of them, these will sell less units that the Stiletto.
Posted by: pfreak | September 10, 2007 4:17 PM
Im talking about the radio i posted a link to...http://www.i4u.com/article11333.html.
if you actually clicked on the link you would see its a polk branded home tuner for $349. I was never referring to the Polk I-Sonic. all i ded was make a referrence that Polk will have a Sirius tuner out.
I'd also like to point out your maturity level. You are very quick to start calling people names (ie. Dummy). you cant have an argument without name calling? i suggest next time you read posts and follow links before getting all hot headed and resorting to name calling. if you only simply followed my link that i posted at the top of the thread, you wouldnt look like the immature hot headed person that you do now.
Posted by: Philmore | September 11, 2007 10:57 AM
Im talking about the radio i posted a link to...http://www.i4u.com/article11333.html.
if you actually clicked on the link you would see its a polk branded home tuner for $349. I was never referring to the Polk I-Sonic. all i ded was make a referrence that Polk will have a Sirius tuner out.
I'd also like to point out your maturity level. You are very quick to start calling people names (ie. Dummy). you cant have an argument without name calling? i suggest next time you read posts and follow links before getting all hot headed and resorting to name calling. if you only simply followed my link that i posted at the top of the thread, you wouldnt look like the immature hot headed person that you do now.
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