Official Sirius|XM Application: News, Rumors, etc.

[Superman07]

Figured this deserved its own thread rather than continuing the bump the defunct Starplyr thread. Will make more sense anyway when it comes out.

-- Sirius XM is working on an application to stream the internet content to the iPhone and iTouch
-- Allows the estimated 7 million iPhone users to access SXM on the iPhone
-- They plan to launch the iPhone app in Q2

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/live-blogging-the-fy08-sirius-xm-earnings-call.html#more

I'm looking forward to this very much. I hope it's sooner than 3 months, but I'd rather wait 3 than not have it at all.

[SFStateStudent]

I thought they filed for bankruptcy? :eek: Possibly looking for a stimulus bailout?

[poblack]

They are no longer in jeopardy of filing for bancruptcy. The XM Sirius app is going to be huge.

[stockscalper]

This rumor is so old it's developed cateracts :eek:

[hexonxonx]

I kind of got tired of waiting for something that is really just a rumor and reactivated two of my XM Pioneer Innos.

[Unspeaked]

I already posted this:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=666478

[MotionxxUSxx]

This rumor is so old it's developed cateracts :eek:

its not a rumor, it was revealed at a earnings call by the company

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090312/tec_sirius_iphone.html?.v=9

[FearlessFreep]

AP article on Sirius/XM's announcement:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9gPXnScj78XLv7AlGwDIEQeLChgD96SK2A80

Sirius XM Radio planning to stream to iPhone, iPod

By DEBORAH YAO

Financially struggling Sirius XM Radio Inc. is planning to stream its subscription radio service to the iPhone and iPod Touch devices from Apple Inc. beginning this spring.

After narrowly avoiding a filing for bankruptcy protection last month, the nation's only satellite radio provider wants to step up sales directly to consumers. New car purchases — which had been Sirius' best source of customers — are way down.

Sirius XM also said in a call Thursday to discuss its fourth-quarter earnings that it's ramping up efforts to reach buyers of used cars with factory-installed satellite radios.

"We've been testing a number of initiatives to make the Sirius XM content and experience more ubiquitous," said Jim Meyer, president of operations and sales at New York-based Sirius.

Sirius now has 19 million subscribers, up 10 percent from a year earlier.

By streaming its music, sports and talk channels to users of the iPhone and iPod Touch, Sirius can give its existing subscribers another way to access content and let new customers sign up without buying new radios, CEO Mel Karmazin said.

Sirius also sees opportunities to bundle its satellite radio service with TV packages from DirecTV Group Inc. DirecTV's controlling shareholder is Liberty Media Corp., which rescued Sirius from a debt bind last month with a $530 million investment. Karmazin said he has met with DirecTV CEO Chase Carey and Liberty CEO Greg Maffei over the past few days.

Karmazin said several parties had been interested in investing in Sirius, but the company's "complex" balance sheet and the liquidity crisis scared many away. Sirius faced $1 billion in debt that was coming due in 2009 that the company couldn't repay and was having trouble refinancing.

One person that stepped up was Dish Network Corp. CEO Charlie Ergen, who bought a substantial amount of Sirius debt to wrestle for control of the company. Karmazin rebuffed him, turning instead to an Ergen rival, Liberty's Chairman John Malone.

Liberty extended loans to Sirius at 15 percent interest and took a 40 percent stake in the satellite radio company. Karmazin defended that expensive decision, noting that General Electric Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. had recently raised money at 10 percent interest.

"Relative to them, 15 percent was required," Karmazin said.

On Tuesday, Sirius reported a fourth-quarter loss of $248.5 million, better than a loss of $405 million in the year-earlier quarter. Sales climbed to $644.1 million from $577.5 million a year earlier. Those results were adjusted to assume that Sirius' July 2008 purchase of XM occurred on Jan. 1, 2007, to enable year-over-year comparisons.

Expectations that it would need to file for bankruptcy protection hurt the company, as did the liquidation of Circuit City Stores Inc. and poor fourth-quarter traffic at other stores where Sirius radios are sold.

In the call Thursday, Sirius said it will stop providing revenue and subscriber guidance because of poor visibility into the state of the economy and auto sales.

However, the company expects to report earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of over $300 million in 2009, in line with previous projections. Additional aggressive cost cuts will help the bottom line as Sirius shores up revenue.

"We expect to see this turnaround continue in 2009 and beyond," Karmazin said.

Shares of Sirius rose by two cents to 18 cents in midday trading.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Superman07]

I already posted this:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=666478

Fair, but as the articles state it's an application generic program and will work for both the iPhone and iPod Touch. That's why I put it in the Application section. ;)

I wonder if the screencaps floating around are real, or just conceptual.

[Unspeaked]

Fair, but as the articles state it's an application generic program and will work for both the iPhone and iPod Touch. That's why I put it in the Application section. ;)

Yeah, I never know where to post anything iPhone related in the horrible labyrinth that is the iPhone Sub-Forums.

It's like a message board unto itself...

[Manzana]

Ha! The iPhone SiriusXM is starting to resemble vaporware. The sad thing is this company could really use an app revenue stream. I think it should be priced at 19.99 with a monthly fee of 12.95 (if u don't already have sirius) and work over EGDE/3G/WiFi

They are probably going to hold off until iPhone OS 3.0 to be able to add tiered pricing and external receivers to try and complicate things.

[drichards]

XM had their app in testing before the damn merger was finalized. Have a look at their product cycle for both companies' portable offerings and you'll see long lead times across the board.

[Lara F]

Just FYI - the last Pocket Tunes update now allows for SiriusXM playback on the iPhone without Orb. $10, but you get other worthwhile features including web browsing while streaming (with added landscape and bookmark capabilities so it's closer to Safari).

[Randman]

I keep hearing something is coming but it's only more rumours. I say no more threads until the damn app is out.

[jw2002]

Ha! The iPhone SiriusXM is starting to resemble vaporware.

Yep, they should have gotten out in front of this roughly 1-2 years ago. When I was still a subscriber of XM (Dec 2005-Dec 2008), I managed to get my favorite channels to play in iTunes by pasting the URL of the stream that their (unreliable) web based player used. So the technical obstacles to this were always pretty nonexistent.

I canceled XM due to dissatisfaction with the new content after the Nov 2008 changeover and have since replaced it with plenty of podcasts and other online streaming. So even if they do develop an iphone/ipod player, they have to overcome a lot more stuff to lure back disappointed former subscribers.

[verks]

Just FYI - the last Pocket Tunes update now allows for SiriusXM playback on the iPhone without Orb. $10, but you get other worthwhile features including web browsing while streaming (with added landscape and bookmark capabilities so it's closer to Safari).

Thanks Lara for the info, This works great! The stream is crystal clear.

All it uses is the Sirius media player from Sirius.com. No need for a Sirius player now and the Pocket Tunes app is nice. :D

[ken987]

Thanks Lara for the info, This works great! The stream is crystal clear.

All it uses is the Sirius media player from Sirius.com. No need for a Sirius player now and the Pocket Tunes app is nice. :D

So...before I spend 10 bucks..Can this be blocked like the other apps? Can SiriusXM stop that portion of the service. I have the online listening acct since I have lifetime on the car...don't mind paying 10 bucks to listen to Sirius since I can't stream from work.

[verks]

So...before I spend 10 bucks..Can this be blocked like the other apps? Can SiriusXM stop that portion of the service. I have the online listening acct since I have lifetime on the car...don't mind paying 10 bucks to listen to Sirius since I can't stream from work.

I can only assume no but it uses the Sirius online media player so you use the built in browser in Pocket Tunes to access Sirius.com and login to your account and choose a station. The player allows the file type that Sirius uses to be played.

I'm sure though that Sirius could find a way if they wanted. Who knows? Anyone have any ideas on this?

All I know is that it works.

[JonHimself]

I can only assume no but it uses the Sirius online media player so you use the built in browser in Pocket Tunes to access Sirius.com and login to your account and choose a station. The player allows the file type that Sirius uses to be played.

I'm sure though that Sirius could find a way if they wanted. Who knows? Anyone have any ideas on this?

All I know is that it works.

So does it give you a listing of all the Sirius channels or do you have to manually add the streams? Any idea if it will work with Sirius Canada?

EDIT: Did some research, and realized that I have poor comprehension because there's a post that explains it is the online media player... so yes, it does list all of the channels... I e-mailed them about Canadian accounts (in case anyone else was wondering).

SECOND EDIT: I received a response from the support team, it does work with Canadian accounts. It involves a little bit of adjusting because the page renders different (or something like that... it's hard to pass on what I was told without ever having used the app myself) but it does work. Pretty quick response from them as well!

[DTexman]

Does anyone know if this will work with an XM account? They have a flash media player on their site that the iphone cannot access.

[Lara F]

I haven't tried it, but it's supposed to work with XM as well as Sirius and Live365:
http://www.pocket-tunes.com/news/

[JonHimself]

Just wanted to say that I bought this app this morning, seems worth it so far. I'm using it with Sirius Canada. It comes with a web-browser and you have to log-in on the web interface (like you normally you would through sirius.com or siriuscanada.com) and then the usual Sirius Player with the three-pane window pops up. From there you just pick your station and it'll start streaming. Once each channel loads you're able to add that stream to your favorites so that you don't have to go back through the web interface every single time. Seems great so far. Sorry if I'm re-hasing information but just wanted to pass on what I've experienced.

[JonHimself]

Does anyone know if this will work with an XM account? They have a flash media player on their site that the iphone cannot access.

I assume yo won't want to do this, but if you do, PM me your username and password (even if you change it to something else) and the log-in instructions for XM (ie what website, where you have to click to listen online, etc) and I can try for you.

[DTexman]

Thanks. I got the info from the Pocket Tunes page.

[JonHimself]

Thanks. I got the info from the Pocket Tunes page.

Great!

[gadgetdad]

So far I can't get it to play XM Radio through pocket tunes.

edit-Well now I can. Helps if I read the instructions- http://www.normsoft.com/kb/idx/55/291/article/

Now my iPhone is nearly complete! O&A on my iPhone Rocks! Bring on the funny!

[volntitan]

I'm jonesing for this app but this Pocket Tunes sounds interesting. Only thing holding me from that is if the Sirius app performs better, then I've would have wasted money on the Pocket Tunes. Does anyone have any insight?

[gadgetdad]

The thing I like about Pocket Tunes is that it plays my XM account, PLUS other FM or Internet shows. Its really the best thing that happened to my iPhone. I listen to a local FM station in the morning and XM after that. I now can do it all from my iPhone. No more taking a FM radio or my XM radio to the gym!

[hexonxonx]

The thing I like about Pocket Tunes is that it plays my XM account, PLUS other FM or Internet shows. Its really the best thing that happened to my iPhone. I listen to a local FM station in the morning and XM after that. I now can do it all from my iPhone. No more taking a FM radio or my XM radio to the gym!

How is the sound quality? If it's a low bit stream then I'm really not interested. If it's identical to what I get on my cars OEM XM radio then it is worth it.

[volntitan]

Quality is key for me as well. Is there a listing of the available stations?

[volntitan]

Screw it. I jumped on it. I'll get the sirus too as well if need be, but been looking for an app that would play my local sports stations as well and this on is strong.

[DTexman]

I am getting 128kbps WMA for the XM feed. When you login on the website you must select high bit rate. Sounds great.

[hexonxonx]

I am getting 128kbps WMA for the XM feed. When you login on the website you must select high bit rate. Sounds great.

Ok, so I have now signed up for the XM online service on the XM website. How do I now use this to listen to XM using this app?

[gadgetdad]

How is the sound quality? If it's a low bit stream then I'm really not interested. If it's identical to what I get on my cars OEM XM radio then it is worth it.

Sound Quality is great. In fact its as good, but I think alittle better than my Pioneer Inno in the car.

[JonHimself]

I hate to say it, but unless SiriusXM REALLY creates a great app, I won't even bother buying it after having purchased this. I'm not going as far as canceling my subscription because I really like the service, but it bothers me that there isn't an official app yet.

[Mr. Biggles]

Ok, so I have now signed up for the XM online service on the XM website. How do I now use this to listen to XM using this app?
See post #26 in this thread

[hexonxonx]

See post #26 in this thread

Thanks. I guess it takes a while for my account to allow me to login after adding the XM online service.

[hexonxonx]

Ok I got this to work. I see that the bitrate choices are only 32kbps or 64kbps. Once the stream starts to play though, it looks like it's 128kbps.

[hotnts]

It looks like there is an xm channel on the slingplayer app. Anybody have more info about this? here is the link, watch the video and when they click favorites xm is one of the channels listed.
http://slingmedia.com/go/iphone

[TulsaWoody]

Is anyone having trouble hearing XM this morning on Pocket Tunes? I've been using it for the last couple of days and all of a sudden this morning i don't get any audio. I get logged in and can see what is currently playing, but no audio...If i go to a different channel, like a local AM station, i get audio. I've deleted the app and reinstalled as well as done a hard boot with the iphone. Still no audio on the XM channels.
Woody

[gadgetdad]

Yep, Mine doesnt load the audio anymore. However, the online listening has no audio either so I dont tink its the player.

[verks]

It looks like there is an xm channel on the slingplayer app. Anybody have more info about this? here is the link, watch the video and when they click favorites xm is one of the channels listed.
http://slingmedia.com/go/iphone

XM is part of some satillite packages and it's saved as a favorite in that video. It is not part of Sling.

[TulsaWoody]

Thanks gadgetdad, i logged in xm online from pc and sure enough there is no audio...WHEW! I was freaking out that i just bought this app for the xm and after 2 days it was down. Thanks for the heads-up on the online not streaming the audio.
Woody

[fleeper]

Those with a problem may need to upgrade their account. I had to do that yesterday so I could listen on my PC. I won't actually be charged until next month but I had to sign up for the premium service to make it work.

On a side note, I have the original iphone. How good is this over the edge network?

fleeper

[JonHimself]

Those with a problem may need to upgrade their account. I had to do that yesterday so I could listen on my PC. I won't actually be charged until next month but I had to sign up for the premium service to make it work.

On a side note, I have the original iphone. How good is this over the edge network?

fleeper

I turned off 3G to try it out and just listening to one station, the only difference I noticed was the amount of time it took to load the station

[gadgetdad]

I just emailed XM to see whats up. Will advise.

[volntitan]

I'm having issues signing on to my sirius account with my iphone. I've always had difficulty doing it for some reason on the desktop, but go that working. But on the iphone, no luck. Anyone else having issues?

[TulsaWoody]

XM radio online is down due to system maintenance according to their website.
Woody

[NashMan2]

I too have been having issues logging into the media player on the sirius website thru pocket tunes. I can log thru My Account but then when I go to media player it won't let me. It says too many attempts, try again later. How late is later?

[volntitan]

I too have been having issues logging into the media player on the sirius website thru pocket tunes. I can log thru My Account but then when I go to media player it won't let me. It says too many attempts, try again later. How late is later?

That is my EXACT problem. I got that yesterday and still getting the "too many attempts" bull. Does ANYONE have any insight?

[JonHimself]

That is my EXACT problem. I got that yesterday and still getting the "too many attempts" bull. Does ANYONE have any insight?

One time I logged in several times during the day (on Pulsar, OSX desktop app) and was told that I exceeded my maximum daily log-ins. Not sure if this is the same, but I called Sirius and told them, they reset my log-in count for the day and it was fine.

I know that yesterday on Stern someone called in saying that he was unable to log-in for several hours the day before and Stern said (of course he might not know, I'm just passing on what I heard) that they were testing/upgrading the systems... he speculated probably because of the iPhone app and increased traffic they're expecting.

[gadgetdad]

XM online is back up and working on the iPhone

[NashMan2]

I had to remove and reinstall the app to finally get into sirius media player, but it finally worked for me.
The sound quality isn't perfect, but this will do until Sirius gets around to putting out their own app.

[NashMan2]

Apparently what has been talked about in this thread for days is making news. Pocket Tunes is getting lots of coverage for its Sirius XM connectability.

[bigrobb]

i have sirius and I cant get it to work, i get to the login page and when i type all the info in and hit login the app freezes and wont do anything, or it takes me back to the login page and freezes once it gets back there and wont let me do anything. is there a special way t login on the app i tried on wifi, edge and 3g and it does it on all.

[MadDog31]

How's the battery life on this app?

[jableskg]

Wow so far so good.. It works great over wifi.. I have yet to try it on 3g or Edge.

As for battery life i'm sure it drains it like everything else you do on this phone

[catagory5]

I have pocket tunes downloaded ( latest one) and I can go to the Sirius site but when i click on mobile player or whatever it is called it just sites there and nothing opens up.....What could be woring?????

Thanks

[MaxPower49]

The First Fuzzy Shot of the Sirius iPhone App

http://gizmodo.com/5271395/the-first-fuzzy-shot-of-the-sirius-iphone-app


Looks pretty weak compared to what StarPlayr was shaping up to be.

[LSUtigers03]

I'm sure its been mentioned before but orb live and usirius make for a very easy way to listen to sirius on the iphone. I prefer it to the pocket tunes method because you can add the stations you listen to the most which makes switching channels very easy.