Yesterday Apple dropped a bombshell on the entire tech industry. The most anticipated product of, well ever, was unveiled. And in a way that it seems only Apple can do - it exceeded anyone's expectations.
From the satellite radio industry's perspective, superficially it serves as a "no threat" product, because Apple intentionally downplayed any over-the-air music capabilities. This is smart from Apple's standpoint, because over-the-air downloads are useless to say the least. It's not about convergence, it's about integration. The iPhone won't replace the iPod, but it will most definitely replace your cell phone (even if you need to convince your wife). People have a lot of data that they want to take with them, and the iPhone is the enabler of this.
But the satellite radio industry shouldn't be breathing a sigh of relief just yet.
The iPhone, like the iPod, like Chrysler's MyGig, like Ford's Sync, and like the hundreds of other digital music products out there are all vying for one thing - your ear. Discovery or not, these are all products that erode away at a person's listening time. And satellite radio needs to compete with that.
If there's one thing that Apple knows, it's sex. The iPhone is sexy. So sexy that you want it just from seeing photos of it. Price rationale goes out the window because it's overruled by desire. And XM and Sirius really need to learn how to make their products sexier. Creating sexy products makes others look over your shoulder while you're using it. Sex creates the kind of buzz that you just can't buy.
If we really want to reignite the retail industry, we need to stop thinking like engineers and start thinking like porn stars.
Damn, you turned me on.
>>And XM and Sirius really need to learn how to make their products sexier. .... Sex creates the kind of buzz that you just can't buy
Ryan - you have hit the NAIL on the HEAD !!!!!!!!
Hey XM and Sirius ! - just copy the damn IPOD/IPHONE "big color touch screen/no buttons" philosophy, with beautiful icon software - and get 'er done !!!
The iPhone looks great. However that guy's hand holding the thing annoys the holy hell out of me. I want to see it smashed between two bricks. Or how about reaching puberty and growing hair, Powder. Sheesh.
Bravo Ryan, BRAVO!
Being a PR professional myself I can tell you that you have hit this right on the head about SatRad.
Ask yourself this: Do you know about iPhone? Do you know what it does? Do you know how much it is?
Now ask this: What commercial did you see that told you this? None, not one. But you DID see the iPhone EVERYWHERE yesterday and today on TV.
I ask you, how much is a 30 second commercial? No think about how much was gained by the minutes on minutes earned in the news, TV and radio... Not one 30 second spot and it is the only product you can remember hearing about yesterday... Even after watching almost 20 minutes of commercials per hour on TV.
XM and Sirius, are your reading this? Is what Ryan is saying being said in your marketing and design meetings? If not then you are having the wrong kinds of conversations.
FACT: You can not be on the cutting edge of technology but remain 10 years behind in PR and marketing strategy. It is a recipe for failure. Take the same mindset you have about traditional radio and apply that to your attitude toward design, PR and marketing!
Actually XM needs to tell ...
Delphi, Pioneer, Samsung, and Audiovox
to build an Iphone-like radio for XM !!
Looks kinda like the Stiletto... which, by the way, has the "sexiest" user interface I've ever seen on a portable device.
Looks kinda like the Stiletto... which, by the way, has the "sexiest" user interface I've ever seen on a portable device.
An XM radio with just a "big flat color touch screen, NO buttons, with beautiful icon software behind it and ...
Album Art ! with every song !!
We need Album Art on these radios !
(it's just a .jpg file)
So SatRadMadMan and Anonomous Coward are the same person? How many other mults does this guy post with?
I agree 100%...while the Stiletto and Inno made great strides, both companies need to keep the pressure on. A few years back maybe not but now with all the competition they need to turn out new devices. Take the Inno...make the screen much bigger and include touch-screen with wi-fi capabilites like the Stiletto and fans like myself will ignore the pricetag like many will with the I-Phone...I don't even need the I-phone yet I want one.
Content is King, never ever forget it.
Ryan, I couldn't agree more. Apple always designs the coolest looking products, by just simply looking at it you want it.
Sirius and XM really need to concentrate on making their products more cool looking, this will catch the eye of the customer, and the features will sell it.
"Looks like the Stiletto"
Are you kidding me? It's OK to be a fanboy, but, please, this looks nothing like the Stiletto! In fact, this unit looks thinner than the Stiletto's battery (both of them!).
Did any body did these feelings of desire while looking at the Sirius Backseat TV or XM GPS Weather Tracker?
Rich: Tell that to the thousands of other digital media player manufacturers out there fighting for marketshare against the iPod.
Millions of people will buy this phone, and 90% of them won't need it.
We're not in the technology business. We're not in the content business. We're in the business of desire. Make your users love the experience, from ALL angles (content, technology, etc) and that will break satellite radio into critical mass.
@Sean
"So SatRadMadMan and Anonomous Coward are the same person? How many other mults does this guy post with?"
Uh dude, I HOPE you're kidding. The double post is because I wasn't logged in with TypeKey.
@iband
No, I'm not kidding. With that sleek black case it bears a VERY strong resemblance to the Stiletto. Actually, it looks more like the S50.
The only resemblence to the Stiletto is that the front has black on it. Other than that, it's an apple (pun intended) and an orange.
Anyways, we can differ on the look-alike features. Bottom line, this is an impressive device and any of us looking at this board is a gadget person and would want to at least play with it. I would rather 86 the phone and have the iPod and internet wi-fi features instead. I would be ALL over that device. I don't want Cingular.
I think that many business folks will shy away from it because it cannot be used with Outlook, which most businesses use.
I'm certainly buying one, and will use the built-in internet capabilities to stream Sirius from their website. Who needs a portable unit when this can stream anyone's content?
"I'm certainly buying one, and will use the built-in internet capabilities to stream Sirius from their website. Who needs a portable unit when this can stream anyone's content?"
I thought of the same thing, but that depends on whether we'll be able to install the awful, shitty, craptacular Windows Media Plug-in, which Sirius insists on streaming through, on the iPhone.
Sigh... Lousy Sirius technology strikes again.
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