Orbitcast

2010 "Connected" Dodge Caravan comes with WiFi and live TV

2010-02-09T03:21:55Z

Chrysler is showing off their infotainment features on the 2010 "Connected" Grand Caravan at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show (which starts later this week).

The vehicle is a veritable swiss army knife of entertainment technology, with FLO TV, Sirius Satellite Radio, Sirius Backseat TV and Uconnect Web. The latter of which transforms the minivan into a traveling WiFi hotspot.
"The 'Connected' Dodge Grand Caravan is not a concept or a prototype; every feature highlighted in the vehicle is available for order today," said Dodge President and CEO Ralph Gilles.

The 2010 Connected Grand Caravan offers live mobile TV with up 20 channels through FLO TV (we first saw FLO TV at CES 2009). Networks offered include CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon and more.

FLO TV will be offered for $629 MSRP plus installation and includes a one-year subscription.

Add on Sirius Backseat TV (for a MSRP of $470) and get Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. The first year of service is included when packaged with Chrysler's Rear Seat Entertainment System and Sirius Satellite Radio. After the first year, Sirius Backseat TV is available for $7 per month when packaged with Sirius Satellite Radio ($12.95 per month).

But then there's the Uconnect Web feature, which combines WiFi and 3G to transform the vehicle into a traveling hotspot.

Uconnect Web provides high-speed data transfer directly to the vehicle for instant access to Web sites, e-mail, personalized music, online gaming, photo albums and more. MSRP for the router module is $499, plus an additionally $34-50 for dealer installation. The wireless Internet service is offered by Autonet Mobile at $29 a month, plus there's a one-time $35 service activation fee.

Remember, this technology was first announced over two years ago. And what I said then still holds true today. Sirius XM shouldn't look at the "connected car" as competition, or even something to just ignore "until later" - instead look at it as something they can integrate into.

Satellites have one inherent fault: they provide downlink only. Your satellite radio receiver does exact that, receive.

So what would be the possibilities once your receiver can finally talk back?

Howard Stern is the master of public posturing

2010-02-08T14:21:40Z

Folks, we've only just begun. With 11 months left on Howard Stern's contract, the public negotiations are only just beginning.

For this round, we'll hear Mel Karmazin's take on whether Howard will make the jump to Internet Radio; meanwhile Howard talks about potential moves to terrestrial radio (again) and being offered "someone elses show" on television.

That show, it's rumored, was American Idol.

Yes, this is public posturing at its best.

First, let's cover off on Mel Karmazin, who so far has been playing softball. According to WSJ's All Things D, last week at The Paley Center for Media, Sirius XM Radio Inc. CEO Mel Karmazin was asked whether he worries about Stern leaving for Internet Radio - like Pandora.

Karmazin's answer was reserved.

"I think it's great to be content today," he said. "In this world of fragmentation, great content prevails. Howard Stern is great content. Howard would be sought after by anyone. He's a great talent. Having said that, we would like him to stay with us and we are optimistic that he will continue to do so."

Is it a possibility? Of course, but Karmazin is dubious.

"There are a lot of choices for audio content," he remarked. "And obviously, the Internet is one of them. But the question is who's going to the the largest player? And I think that's our spot to lose. I believe we will be the most profitable of audio content choices."

In other words: if anyone can pay Howard Stern what he wants, it's going to be Sirius XM. Because it sure won't be Clear Channel.

But Stern is a master at driving attention.

On his show last week, Howard reiterated that he was approached by a terrestrial radio broadcaster, but he added in another little surprise. Stern said on the air that he was offered someone's existing TV show - and while he considered the offer "carefully" he ultimately turned it down.

That show, reported by the New York Post, is American Idol and Howard Stern was supposedly to replace Simon Cowell.

The information comes from a source who the Post says is connected to Idol.

"It's one of the few shows that could compete with Stern's $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and 'Idol' bosses think he'd be even nastier than Simon," the source said. "They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. 'Idol' will do what it takes to sign him."

But a second source has a different opinion...

"Despite what he's been saying on-air, Howard isn't ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius," the second source said.

"We believe this is a ploy to make Sirius pay up and keep him on his huge contract. But if Sirius can't pay him the money he wants, he may negotiate to film 'Idol' on the side."

Mel: Tag, you're it.

XM NavTraffic coverage map

2010-02-07T17:46:07Z

Here's a quick update to our previous post on XM NavTraffic's expansion. Above is the updated coverage map showing all the areas that XM NavTraffic data is provided, and the type of data the area gets.

This is being distributed to dealers, so I'm assuming it's "public knowledge" at this point, though no official announcement by Sirius XM Radio Inc. has been made. As far as we know, the updates are still pending and will begin rolling out very shortly.

(Click on the above XM NavTraffic coverage map image to see a larger version)

XM NavTraffic getting a big market expansion

2010-02-05T11:18:45Z

Orbitcast has received word that Sirius XM Radio Inc. is doing a massive market expansion for its live traffic service, XM NavTraffic.

According to a person familiar with the initiative, XM NavTraffic is expanding to 109 markets - up from 80 total metropolitan markets - most of which will have detailed flow data.

The expansion is expected to go into effect as early as today.

Free Sirius trial now available for Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles

2010-02-04T22:02:01Z

Back in October, Sirius XM made the announcement that they will begin offering a free Sirius trial with Chrysler Pre-Owned vehicles. And we asked... where's Ford?

Well, now we have our answer.

Similar to previous CPO deals (including Acura, GM, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Volvo), Ford and Lincoln Mercury customers will receive a three-month trial subscription of the "Sirius Everything" package upon the purchase of all Sirius-equipped Certified Pre-owned vehicles.

Ford will still offer Sirius as a factory-installed feature with a 6-month subscription included on most new Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles sold in the U.S.

This is definitely great news, but it should be noted that recent shopping trends have shown a shift from CPO to New vehicles.

According to data from AutoTrader, CPO sales took a dive in the end of 2009 and consumers look to be returning to shopping for New vehicles.

CPO inventories took a double hit as the credit crisis caused many manufacturers to pull back or eliminate leasing programs, and now the average asking prices for remaining CPO vehicles is trending significantly upwards - causing the shift to new vehicles.

Either way, with CPO deals in place with most major automakers, Sirius XM Radio Inc. look to be the winners regardless of where the market shifts. Having both Used and New vehicle free trial offerings covers all bases and increases overall penetration, and that's good news all around.

Sirius XM BlackBerry App goes live

2010-02-04T11:06:45Z

The rumors were true, and our sources were dead on. The official Sirius XM BlackBerry App has launched today and is available for download right now.

The Sirius XM BlackBerry App is available on the following models:

BlackBerry Storm / Storm 2 (Series 9550)
BlackBerry Bold (Series 9000)
BlackBerry Bold (Series 9700)
BlackBerry Tour (Series 9600)
BlackBerry Curve (Series 8500
BlackBerry Curve (Series 8900)

The channel lineup is just as suspected, 120 channels of the Premium Sirius|XM Online package... and no Howard Stern.

Sirius XM's BlackBerry App is available as a free download, and they're offering a 7-day free trial for folks who want to give it a try.

Either way, this is great news, and Sirius XM's mobile offering is growing.

UPDATE: The press release announcing the new BlackBerry App just hit the wires.

Sirius Stiletto 2 heads into extinction

2010-02-03T14:37:04Z

There's been no official word from Sirius XM Radio Inc., but sources have told Orbitcast that the Sirius Stiletto 2 is being phased out.

Retailer stock of the Stiletto 2 is definitely dwindling, though TSS Radio and Amazon still have the receiver itself available.

Additionally, accessories are getting extremely hard to find - TSS is showing Stiletto 2 Car Kits as being out of stock, while Amazon has only a few left. The availability of Home Kits are even more bleak: it too is out of stock on TSS, and Amazon is showing 2-4 weeks shipping. UPDATE: TSS tells us that they'll have the Car Kits in stock in the next week or so, and Home Kits are coming in the next month or so.
We also know that Sirius XM is upgrading certain units with the latest PowerConnect FM transmitter technology. The fact that the new XMP3i was the only portable unveiled at CES 2010 with PowerConnect, and not the Stiletto 2, shows how support has shifted in XM's direction. (It should be noted that the Stratus 6 is actually the only Sirius radio, right now, that has PowerConnect available - hopefully that will change soon.)

Either way, all signs are pointing to the Stiletto 2 being phased out.

It's unfortunate, because I absolutely love my Stiletto 2. I think it packs some of the best features of any satellite radio out there, despite being on the market for over 2 years.

The Stiletto 2 a great unit, and it'll be sad to see it go.

Deep Tracks turns into The Who Channel

2010-02-02T22:55:08Z

Won't get fooled again! The Who Channel - a five-day long limited-run channel - will rock out on Sirius XM's Deep Tracks channel starting this Thursday.

Just in time for the Super Bowl.

The Who Channel will feature music, performances and interviews celebrating the career of one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.

The channel will play music spanning The Who's entire five-decade-long career, from their debut in 1965 through the band's latest releases: The Who Greatest Hits, the career-spanning compilation, and The Who Greatest Hits Live, a collection of previously unreleased and newly mixed concert recordings from throughout the band's entire career.

Amazon.com Widgets

You'll also hear a special live broadcast of The Who's on-field halftime performance direct from Super Bowl XLIV, plus exclusive interviews and broadcasts of live concert performances from the band's massive archive.

On Friday, February 5th at 2pm ET, there will also be an exclusive, in-depth interview between Sirius XM host Dave Marsh, and The Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey.

It all launches this Thursday, February 4th at 3pm ET and will run until Monday, February 8th at 11:59pm ET on Sirius channel 16 and XM channel 40.

Five days of Vampire Weekend on Sirius XMU

2010-02-02T11:18:09Z

Indie rock band Vampire Weekend will co-host with regular host Jenny Eliscu on Sirius XMU every evening next week, Monday through Friday.

Then on Wednesday, listeners will hear a special performance by Vampire Weekend recorded live in the Sirius XMU studios.

During the week, Vampire Weekend will talk about their second album, Contra, which two weeks ago became the first independent release to enter the Billboard album chart at number one since 2007. They'll discuss the making of the album, including how they needed to learn new instruments in its creation.

The week-long special will also feature Vampire Weekend playing their own renditions of music by artists they like - such as Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne and Belle and Sebastian.

On Wednesday, February 10th, tune in to Sirius XMU to hear the "Vampire Weekend Sirius XMU Session," a stripped-down performance recorded live in the Sirius XMU studios. The session will feature the band performing songs from Contra, including "Horchata," "Cousins," and "Holiday."

We also hear that future Sirius XMU Sessions will include Spoon, Beach House, and Soft Pack, among others.

The five-days of Vampire Weekend co-hosting on Sirius XMU (Sirius channel 26 and XM channel 43) will air Monday, February 1st through Friday, February 5th from 5pm - 6pm ET. The "Vampire Weekend Sirius XMU Session" will air Wednesday, February 10th at 9pm ET.

Rumor Update: Sirius XM BlackBerry App coming by week's end

2010-02-01T16:13:35Z

The rumored Sirius XM BlackBerry App was supposed to have been released by end of January, but here we are in February with no app in sight. What gives?

According to Orbitcast sources, in addition to a comment posted here, the BlackBerry App is in the final phases of being released and is planned to be made public by the end of this week. The comment specifically mentions February 4th, but other sources have said that date may get shifted slightly.

As we've seen in the past, Mel likes to have product/feature releases just before earnings calls. So the early-February date makes sense, especially since Sirius XM Radio Inc. has said that they will release their full-year 2009 financial results "in February 2010." The timing would be perfect if launched in the first week of this month.

Sources have said that this app is pretty much the same as the iPhone App. I wouldn't expect that Howard Stern would be included in this app (which, supposedly, is not a limitation imposed by Sirius XM but rather from Howard's side).

Either way, all we can do at this point is wait.

What is the PowerConnect FM transmitter?

2010-01-31T16:03:03Z

We first saw the PowerConnect FM transmitter during the product showcase at Sirius XM's NYC headquarters. But more and more new satellite radios are coming out with PowerConnect (like the XMP3i), and some people want a full explanation of what exactly the PowerConnect FM transmitter does.

But first... a little history lesson.
When satellite radios were first available ("the ol' days") receivers had built-in FM transmitters. These were a great because all you had to do was run the satellite radio antenna and plug-in the receiver - installation was pretty simple.

The reality was, many of these satellite radios had overpowered FM transmitters.

So overpowered, in fact, that surrounding cars could pick up the signal. It got to the point that some satellite radio owners were putting stickers on their cars letting others around them know what station to tune in to. Fun right? Not so fun for others who happened to be listening to public radio, which commonly were in the frequency range (read complaints from NPR listeners that sparked an investigation).

What happened afterwards, during the summer of 2006, had a lasting result on the satellite radio retail market: complaints from the NAB, demands to the FCC for a full recall, then XM started suspending receiver shipments, followed by Sirius halting production as well. It was a mess.

Months later, both Sirius and XM came up with solutions that the FCC could accept. Consumers were forced to run a multitude of wires in order to get a working FM transmitter.

That's why the new PowerConnect FM transmitter is such a break-through.

Now, instead of running wires everywhere, consumers can go back to the good ol' days. Just run the antenna wire, plug in the receiver, and you're good to go. What you see below is how you install the PowerConnect... that's it, nothing else:

So how does the PowerConnect work?

The concept is simple and brilliant (so much so that it's patent pending technology).

Essentially the FM signal is piped through from the cigarette lighter into the radio by using the electrical connection to transmit the signal. The PowerConnect itself is a power-source and an FM transmitter in one.

Below is a video I recorded at the Sirius XM product showcase explaining how the PowerConnect works (the company asked that I didn't post the video at the time, but I think it's safe now):

Pretty neat right?

You can expect every new satellite radio that gets released from now on to include the PowerConnect FM transmitter. You can also expect to see many existing models that have the "old" FM transmitters to get upgraded to include the new technology. Some of these include the Stratus 6, XM Onyx, XpressRCi, the upcoming XMP3i, and yes, the XM SkyDock.

Aside from ease of installation, the sound-quality from the PowerConnect is pretty incredible too. If you don't have a direct connection or a tape adapter, the PowerConnect provides a superior sounding experience to other FM transmitters.

So that's it, the PowerConnect in a nutshell. Do you have any question or own a PowerConnect enabled radio? Share with us in a comments below.

Hear 14 different broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV in 10 languages on Satellite Radio

2010-01-28T23:49:13Z

Super Bowl XLIV will be heard in 10 languages across 14 different live broadcasts plus live coverage direct from South Florida, starting this Sunday, January 31st with the Pro Bowl, and airing throughout Super Bowl Week.

On Sunday, January 31st at 7:30pm ET, Sirius NFL Radio (Sirius channel 124 and XM channel 124 with the "Best of Sirius" programming package) will carry the live broadcast of the Pro Bowl from Sun Life Stadium. The annual all-star matchup of the AFC's best and NFC's best is returning to the U.S. mainland after being played in Hawaii since 1980.

Then, starting Monday, February 1st, Sirius NFL Radio will broadcast live every day from Radio Row at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center offering all the latest news and analysis, plus dozens of interviews with players, coaches, league executives and celebrities.

Sirius NFL Radio will also broadcast live from Sun Life Stadium on Media Day, Tuesday, February 2nd (10am - 1pm ET), offering interviews with players and coaches from the Colts and Saints. On Saturday, February 6th (4pm ET), Sirius NFL Radio will provide live coverage as the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2010 is announced. Listeners will hear the live announcement as well as one-on-one interviews with the newly elected Hall of Famers.

Sports talk host Chris "Mad Dog" Russo will also be in South Florida all week to host his daily show, Mad Dog Unleashed, live from Radio Row (2pm - 7pm ET) on Mad Dog Radio (Sirius channel 123, XM channel 144). On Saturday, February 6th, Russo will host a special Saturday edition of Mad Dog Unleashed live from Radio Row.

Then comes the big day...

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th starting at 6pm ET, Sirius XM will air an expanded lineup of live play-by-play broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV when the Colts battle it out with the Saints in South Florida's Sun Life Stadium. The 14 different game calls will be available to Sirius subscribers and XM subscribers with the "Best of Sirius" programming package.

Here's each game call and the channel it will be carried on:

Indianapolis Colts broadcast - Sirius 123 / XM 102
New Orleans Saints broadcast - Sirius 125 / XM 103
National Radio broadcast - Sirius 124 / XM 124
BBC Radio broadcast - Sirius 130 / XM 104
Spanish language broadcast - Sirius 91 / XM 105
Spanish broadcast (Canal + Spain) - Sirius 155 / XM 106
Russian broadcast (NTV Plus) - Sirius 154 / XM 107
French broadcast (W9) - Sirius 157 / XM 108
Japanese broadcast (NHK Japan) - Sirius 158 / XM 109
German broadcast (ARD) - Sirius 127 / XM 110
Italian broadcast (RAI) - Sirius 122 / XM 111
Hungarian broadcast (Sport1) - Sirius 90 / XM 112
Dutch broadcast (Prime Sport) - Sirius 152 / XM 113
Danish broadcast (Viasat) - Sirius 126 / XM 114

Apple iPad: A reset button for Sirius XM

2010-01-28T11:09:43Z

I wasn't going to write about the new Apple iPad, despite all the buzz around the device, because I didn't see it as a game-changer for Satellite Radio (or Internet Radio for that matter).

But the more I started to think about it, the more I wonder: did the "reset" button just get pressed for Sirius XM?

It's not that I see the iPad as a threat, but rather as an opportunity.

The iPad isn't a device that I'll use in my car. So it's not a "radio" replacement (for in-vehicle use at least). It's not a device that I'll constantly carry around with me like my smartphone, so it's not a personal audio replacement.

But it is a device that I'll use in my kitchen. It's something I might use on the train, or in a coffee shop.

The iPad is also a device that is viral in nature, early adopters will want to share the "cool stuff" they have on it with others. As Walt Mossberg said, "It's about the software, stupid." And while current iPhone apps, like the Sirius XM iPhone App, will run on it, there will be iPad-specific apps.

In other words: there's be a gold rush for new apps to fill this niche. And there lies the opportunity.

The reset button has been pushed.

Pandora, Slacker - and, yes, even Clear Channel - may have had a headstart with their iPhone Apps while Sirius XM was left distracted with the merger and threats of bankruptcy. But the new iPad SDK (Software Development Kit) just got released.

The field has been flattened. Everyone is back to zero.

There's an opportunity here for Sirius XM to utilize the gigantic and beautiful interface of the Apple iPad, and translate that into radio. There's an opportunity for them to take a gigantic step into the world of home audio by creating a killer app that everyone wants to share.

Some key things to think about:

The iPad 3.2 SDK allows the device to be plugged into a big screen (like your HDTV)
It's accessible: Starting at $499 (which is cheaper than what the iPhone debuted at), you can expect many fanboys to be waiting in line on opening day
The device naturally lends itself to at-home use. Not just because WiFi versions are $130 cheaper than the 3G versions (though unlimited 3G is only $30/month, amazingly), but because of its size.
You can't mutli-task on it

So imagine a Sirius XM App that goes beyond the current iPhone App.

One that displays beautiful album art and lyrics while listening. Or features a built-in browser so you can surf the web while listening. Or pulls down photos of the artist from the web - or even in-studio photos/video from various talk radio shows - to display on the iPad while playing satellite radio. Or even one that simply takes your own personal photo collection and displays a beautiful slideshow set to unlimited streaming music. (Imagine that on your HDTV?)

The possibilities are pretty amazing, if Sirius XM actually set their sites on it. Let's not throw this opportunity away - we need someone (a single person) to take control and be a champion for this.

President Obama's "State of the Union" address gets massive coverage on Satellite Radio

2010-01-27T23:15:12Z

President Obama will hold his first ever "State of the Union" address tonight, at 9pm ET (6pm PT), and Sirius XM will be providing extensive coverage, opinions and analysis across the satellite radio dial.

Obama is reportedly expected to use his State of the Union address to try to reconnect and persuade the people of a frustrated nation that he is on their side, aides close to Obama say.
Channels including CNN, Headline News, BBC, Fox News, CNBC and P.O.T.U.S. will all air the address uninterrupted - while other channels (including Liberal, Conservative, African-American, LGBT, non-partisan, and more) will provide indepth insights and caller reactions from around the country.

Channels covering the State of the Union include:

P.O.T.U.S. (Sirius channel 110 and XM channel 130) - non-partisan channel
P.O.T.U.S. will provide live coverage of the address beginning at 9pm ET and will carry the Republican response by VA Gov. Bob McDonnell, immediately following the State of the Union.

Following the address P.O.T.U.S. will be live from Statuary Hall in the US House of Representatives to speak with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle following the President's speech.
Sirius Left (Sirius channel 146) and America Left (XM channel 167) - liberal talk channels
Mark Thompson's daily show Make it Plain will be extended for special live coverage including pre-and post-speech listener reaction and interviews with guests including House Majority Whip Cong. James Clyburn (D-SC), and immediately following the speech political scientist Dr. Ronald Walters and Bob Parks from the conservative group Project 21 offer analysis
Sirius Patriot (Sirius channel 146) and America Right (XM channel 166) - conservative talk channels
Mark Levin previews address, takes calls and offers conservative perspective on his daily show leading up to the speech. Sirius Patriot hosts Mike Church and Andrew Wilkow to offer post-speech commentary, reaction and analysis.
THE POWER (XM channel 169) - African-American political talk channel
On January 28th beginning at 6am ET host Joe Madison, aka "The Black Eagle," offers post-speech analysis with special guests including Senator Sherrod Brown, D-OH; Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-SC; Cong. Elijah Cummings D,MD; Colbert King, Pulitzer Prize Winner, the Washington Post; Dr. Ronald Walters, Professor, University of MD, retired; Cong. Barbara Lee, D-CA, chair of Congressional Black Caucus.
OutQ (Sirius channel 109, XM channel 98) - 24/7 LGBT channel
Michelangelo Signorile breaks down the issues facing the LGBT community, interviews guests including Kerry Eleveld, Washington Correspondent, The Advocate to discuss the likelihood that Obama will announce a substantive plan to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in tonight's speech.

Cheap Trick to perform on Sirius XM's "Artist Confidential"

2010-01-27T11:58:04Z

Cheap Trick will perform on Sirius XM's acclaimed radio series Artist Confidential live from New York City's Hard Rock Café this Thursday.

As with all shows in the Artist Confidential series, the influential rockers will sit down for a candid interview, sharing personal stories with satellite radio listeners, and perform live in an intimate setting.

Features like this are rarely (if ever?) heard on terrestrial radio anymore.

Cheap Trick will perform songs from their extensive catalog as well as songs from their most recent release, The Latest (Download MP3 Album).

Tune in to hear the performance live on Classic Rewind (Sirius channel 15 and XM channel 49) this Thursday, January 28th at 2pm ET.