Yesterday, news broke that the Sirius XM iPhone App will be going live on June 18th, based off of a customer service email. The news first hit SatWaves, then made its way to TUAW and then Engadget. I had waited to post about the news because I wanted to confirm with Sirius XM Radio Inc. whether or not the customer service emails were real.My requests were met with no response.
A lot of times there's misinformation that comes from customer service, so I wanted to check to make sure this letter was legit:
But the fact that I haven't heard anything seems to confirm that it's true. If it were untrue, I'd hear something. Even reaching out to my behind-the-scenes sources got little information, either people knew and didn't want to say - or they didn't know.
The puzzling thing is that most iPhone developers don't necessarily know when their apps will be approved by Apple. In order to time an app release, Sirius XM would have had to work with Apple directly - especially to time it for tomorrow.
If it's true, and it appears it is, then launching the app on the day before the new iPhone 3G S is released would be a masterful move by Sirius XM. Let's hope.
[SatWaves via Engadget, TUAW]
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
UPDATE: Sorry, typo on my behalf, I meant to state that the app would be released the day before the new iPhone is released. I've corrected the post.
Thank you for contacting SIRIUS regarding whether or not there is a SIRIUS iPhone application available. We are here to help! We appreciate the time you have taken to contact us in regards to this matter! We are happy to inform you that beginning June 18th a SIRIUS Internet Radio application will be available at the Apple iTunes App-Store for the iPhone and the iPod Touch! All Premium SIRIUS Internet Radio subscribers will be able to download the application from the Apple iTunes App-Store for free on their device and access the service at no additional cost! Subscribers who are listening to the Basic Online Service for free must first upgrade to the Premium Online Service for $2.99 per month to access the application on the iPhone or iPod Touch.
But the fact that I haven't heard anything seems to confirm that it's true. If it were untrue, I'd hear something. Even reaching out to my behind-the-scenes sources got little information, either people knew and didn't want to say - or they didn't know.
The puzzling thing is that most iPhone developers don't necessarily know when their apps will be approved by Apple. In order to time an app release, Sirius XM would have had to work with Apple directly - especially to time it for tomorrow.
If it's true, and it appears it is, then launching the app on the day before the new iPhone 3G S is released would be a masterful move by Sirius XM. Let's hope.
[SatWaves via Engadget, TUAW]
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
UPDATE: Sorry, typo on my behalf, I meant to state that the app would be released the day before the new iPhone is released. I've corrected the post.
I got no email....
Looks like us lifetimers get screwed again. I figured they would make you upgrade to premium. I bet if a new Stilleto comes out they will make you have premium to listen to the wifi.
if its any kind of partnership i would pass out
I will be testing this out on my iPod touch. I will be very interested to hear how many downloads this generates.
"My requests were met with no response."
Too bad. An event as big as this is a plus for SXM. I would think they'd splash this all over the place. But they have a history of poor communication, especially to their long-time subscribers.
Developers can set the date their app goes live on the store, most just set the release date to be the date they submit the app so it goes online as soon as it's approved.
If you submitted an app a couple of weeks ahead of your launch date, you'd have a decent chance of being approved in time. And the app wouldn't be on the store until the prescribed release date. When release date comes, if your app isn't approved, it's still waiting in the queue, and will go online when it does finally get approved.
The length of the review process is unpredictable, but if you have enough lead time you can definitely set the release date.
After an app is approved by the Apple for the App Store, it is up to the developers to flip the switch to make it live on the App Store. The Sirius XM app must have been approved already and tomorrow they will just flip the switch to make it available to download. No need to work closely with Apple.
I called XM and they confirmed that it is true
Oh... Great job Sirius.
Only 4 1/2 months after the part time team of developers that created StarPlayr had theirs finished, and theirs didn't require the $2.99/mo upgrade to use.
I guess that's why you had to have their app shut down.
No thanks. I'll use pockettunes since that way I don't have to pay 2.99/mo to upgrade. Since pockettunes only costs $9.99 one time, I'll listen free after the third month.
Jerks.
Finnaly...
So The People Who Purchased A LTP Before March 11Th Will Never Be Forced To Pay The 2.99/m For The SIRP(128k)And The App Is Free
While I think it's a great idea and overdue, I believe this is over hyped.
There are already a ton of apps that offer 90% of what SIRI-XM offer.
With Shoutcast and Slacker or Pandora Why exactly would I need this ?
WOO!!! I can't wait. So glad I signed up for lifetime back before they cut off everyone's free XMRO.
I really hope they were smart enough to put some big time effort into this because it could be a big time money maker if they do it right.
How about an Sirius/xm app for the palm pre?
For music only, you probably wouldn't. But you already knew that. ;)
However, if you're interested in their exclusive content, there's value. And for SXM subscribers, it's a great option to have. Frankly, it's a year overdue. I've done the Orb kludges, and gave up after awhile - just wasn't worth the hassle. I'll be downloading this ASAP.
Too little, too late. Lets hope it at least works as good as StarPlayr.
Thank you! Finally! But of course I dont think I have online access so no O&A for me. I agree, SXM is about a year late to the party.
Hopefully they'll get cracking on a Blackberry app.
now all I need is an iPhone
If a user attempts to log in with their online credentials, but they do not currently have our Premium Online Service for $2.99 per month,they will be given a prompt which will give them the option of calling in, or being sent to their online account management page to upgrade to the Premium Online Service. The upgrade does not happen within the application.
Sure, if you've got an Iphone this is great news, but what about all the other people out there with 'plebian' phones? Last time I checked, the XM Mobile app costs 9 bucks a month [AT&T] and it doesn't matter whether or not you're a subscriber. Where is our app?
I can get Stern for free on Shoutcast and just about any other show off various site on the net for free . Again tell me why i need this .
Weren't prices supposed to drop! Now we're paying for everyfukinthing!!!
Will this Application work with Sirius Canada or XM Canada I have both?
I asked them not only to confirm the SiriXM iPhone application, but also whether it would work on the Palm Pre.
Their response, or lack of a current response, I find most intriguing:
"Thank you for contacting SIRIUS regarding an iPhone application. We are here to help!
... in order to provide you with a thorough and accurate response, we are researching your question. You may expect a reply within three to five business days."
If there is no iPhone app, why would they need to research it.
To me it seems that the second part of my question, whether it would work on the Palm Pre, would indeed require research.
Yes Benz, also If you have the lifetime you will NEVER have to pay for it... Isn't it great!!!
NO THANK YOU!
I refuse to give Sirius/XM anymore of my money. Pay for online, pfft. Pay to resubscribe. Probably not.
You would need to upgrade if your account didn't already have online access. So if you used Starplyr without upgrading THEN you would be able to use the SiriusXM app the SAME WAY.
I do believer that YOUR ACCOUNT dictates what you can do NOT A PROGRAM.
cough I second the vote for a Blackberry App.
SIRIUS XM APP INFO IS LIVE:
http://www.siriusxm.com/oniphone/indexd.xmc?utm_source=ONIPHONEXMROLOGIN&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=APP
It's live now: http://xmradio.com/index_iphone.xmc
Its up now. Im downloading
no howard stern on app sirius sucks!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suD-ztTSp98&feature=channel_page
The App is now live at siriusxm.com right now.
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Howard Stern on the iPhone application!!!! I'm seriously speechless. I want to really love this company, but it is becoming more difficult!
Per the web site:
Some select programming, including MLB® Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, SIRIUS NASCAR® Radio, and Howard Stern, will not be available on the iPhone and iPod touch. Listeners will continue to be able to access that programming through the platforms they are currently offered on.
no howard 100?
Just installed it, listening to "The Virus" right now :) I was using Pocket Tunes but i'm diggin this new release. I have a Sirius Subscription but this app is compatible with both XM and Sirius accounts. Enjoy!
This App is already a huge Fail. No Stern, No MLB, No Nascar, No 1st Gen iPod Support.
Fail.
The Howard Stern channels are not available through the app!
Downloaded app, went premium and there is NO STERN repeat NO HOWARD STERN 100 or 101!!!!
FAQ states not all channels are available as we do not own the mobile delivery rights. WARNING WARNING
Not compatible with 1st Gen touches??? Why?? Thanks, Sirius XM! You just saved me $2.99 /month!
No Howard On The iphone, what a waste canceling premium online, waited all this time and they pull this. ill stick to pocket tunes
no howard
WOW! What a cool surprise.
They really did an elegant job with the promo site.
And it couldn't have been better timed...with the 3.0 software and 3GS launch on Friday.
This feels like the first polished project launch since the early days of SIRIUS.
Ap is here NOW. I have it on my phone.
Screen caps are over at satwaves. I took them.
Here is one to get you guys all giddy
http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/egiscodr/13-1.png
NO HOWARD STERN! What a huge let down, I guess I should have expected this coming from Sirius. I'm sure they'll be charging an extra fee if you want to listed to Howard.
I was excited for this app but really, only for Premium users? No thanks. I don't even listen to Sirius anymore due to the lack of things that I'm getting. I'm not paying more for less.
Scratch the last comment. Not trying to get everyone to the other site, but this is where I already posted the images. Enjoy!!
http://www.satwaves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=788
Scratch the last comment. Not trying to get everyone to the other site, but this is where I already posted the images. Enjoy!!
http://www.satwaves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=788
How do you create an app WITHOUT the NUMBER 1 REASON people buy sirius prodcut, NO STERN equals no Download, that Pockettune purchase was my best app purchase yet....MLB is close second now that LIVE games are broadcast via the app.
No Stern? Total, complete letdown. I can understand the special content restrictions, like MLB play by play, but Stern is already available through the Internet Streaming service, why not on the iPhone?
I'm keeping my $6/mo (2 subscriptions I would have activated) until Stern is on here. I love my Sirius, but this is ridiculous.
Ha Ha No Stern on the Sirius App ! Shoutcast has it free ! This company shits on you guys yet again and you take it !
A app for no good reason.... iPhone users are smart enough to know the iPhone offers more and better media options. The siriusxm app, like siriusxm is a crutch. Internet radio and FM radio is where it's at. Paying for radio is for newbs and suckers, proven time and time again by siriusxm never ever making a dime, yet digging deeper and deeper in to debt each and every day.
Fun to watch isn't it !
Actually PTT
They Gonna Make LTP Subscribers Upgrade To SIRP(128)After They Were Told That There Is No Fee For Online Listening...
lolZ lolZ lolZ
I have to admit I'm grateful to Sirius XM for releasing this app. Otherwise I might never have realized that I can listen to XM Radio online on my iPhone without paying the premium Internet fee using an app I had already installed: Wunderground Radio. Don't know why I didn't notice that XMRO had become available in the last update of Wunderground, but thanks to comments elsewhere on the web surrounding the Sirius XM app, now I know.
Are they not gonna honor that even if it was prior to that change?
As far as I know Sirius was advertising the SIR free with a LTP even after they got rid of the SIR(64), they eleiminated that as well shortly after, it was during that time frame that I got it...
So how does that affect me?
Will this Application work with Sirius Canada or XM Canada I have both?
Canada Is The Irrelevant Part Of Sirius
1.They Get Less
2.They Get Worse Channels
3.They Think They Are French But They Are NOT!!!