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No Satellite iPod...
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Doctor Q said:
Great question... I assume some vendor (Belkin?) will eventually develop an iPod add-on for satellite radio, if Apple doesn't do it first. However, I'm a bit skeptical about how usable a portable satellite radio player would be, given that iPods are frequently used indoors and in other places where decent satellite reception is unlikely.
On a separate issue, the magazine article mentioned "significant legal and technical hurdles" to iPod/satellite radio integration. I understand the technical hurdles, but what legal hurdles are involved here??
Problem is, you gotta be careful with innovation. you can't just add features to a product. I like that rather than just adding features to their products, Apple often reinterprets them, usually with a more minimalist design. this is especially the case with the iPod interface.SiliconAddict said:Yah god forbid its ever more then that. New for 2035 the er...new iPod. Its got more battery life and can hold more songs just like last years model and the previous years and the previous years, and the previous....
If that is the trend so much for Apple being the innovative company. More like the stagnant company. The iPod Photo is cool and all (I own the 60GB one.) but its hardly revolutionary.
I'm not necessarily opposed to adding XM functionality to the iPod. But I don't want my iPod to end up like, say, my SE T637--bloated with a bunch of stupid features that only get in the way of how I use my phone.
My point, though, is that a product CAN innovate without exploding on features. As a corollary, exploding on features doesn't mean you're innovating--look at cars. You design a clutchless shifter that's not an "automatic" transmission--it's a computer controlled manual. you haven't added a feature to the car, you've made it more fuel efficient (possibly) and CERTAINLY a lot faster. You've innovated the car, without adding features. on the other hand, you COULD add a bunch of cup holders and seat warmers and what not, new features, without really innovating anything about the car.
if 2035 comes around and the ipod is still just an mp3 (or whatever new supercool compression format there is) player that has incredible storage and has a several week battery life, with a vibrant color display--and fits in the credit card slot in my wallet--hell, I think that'd be innovation, XM, photo viewer or not.
FM's fine for me
I'd buy an iPod with an AM/FM radio, like many other mp3 players provide. The ability to record off a radio show onto the iPod would be really cool too.
But satellite radio, and subscription fees and accounts -- plus isn't it rather US-centric, since I don't believe we have that in Canada, and in gazillions of other places worldwide... nah.
I'd buy an iPod with an AM/FM radio, like many other mp3 players provide. The ability to record off a radio show onto the iPod would be really cool too.
But satellite radio, and subscription fees and accounts -- plus isn't it rather US-centric, since I don't believe we have that in Canada, and in gazillions of other places worldwide... nah.
Rob587 said:
Podcasting is effectively recording a 'radio' program to mp3 and 'broadcasting' it over the internet. Essentially people are making their own radio shows that you can now download in mp3 format.
The trend started with live radio over the internet, NPR caught onto the bandwaggon with making their shows available to download after broadcast from their websites. People are now using this as inspiration to make their own radio for public use, it's essentially opened broadcast to the masses.
Yeah, I think something like this is bound to happen, just not yet. Satellite radio is getting bigger, and it really is a good idea to integrate it into the iPod. It would be awesome to listen to the satellite radio, then go home and buy that song on the iTMS.
But who knows, it may never happen. Maybe not putting radio period in the iPod will become a bigger "mistake" than the one button mouse. Maybe the sun won't come out if I don't wash my hair.
Fishes,
narco.
But who knows, it may never happen. Maybe not putting radio period in the iPod will become a bigger "mistake" than the one button mouse. Maybe the sun won't come out if I don't wash my hair.
Fishes,
narco.
I love Sirius and have it in my car, but I don't see the use for it in an iPod at least at this stage. Reception would be a major problem I would think as a car requires a roof mounted antenna that can link up with the satellites/ground repeaters. As soon as I go under a large overpass I lose the signal briefly, so I can imagine how difficult it would be to incorporate an antenna into an iPod that you normally carry in your pocket. Unless you mounted the iPod on top of your head or something when you were walking around I'm not sure how it would work.
This is good news. Remember the best rule to make things work as intended: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). When addig lots of functions you just add more things that sooner or later will produce errors... and you even have to pay more for the device in the process...
The iPod is a music player! (Doesn't even like the photo edition...)
The iPod is a music player! (Doesn't even like the photo edition...)
I can understand why Apple wouldn't want to put satellite radio on an iPod. I mean, wouldn't it add too much bulk to the iPod? I wouldn't want my iPod to be any bigger than it already is. Besies, if I want to listen to satellite radio, I'll buy a satellite radio receiver.
I think satellite radio in a way is competition for iTunes music store. As far as I know you have to pay a subscription fee. Even though some of us gadget tech heads love features, truth is most iPod users just want a music player; anything else that adds much size or cost, complexity is not really the direction where the iPod should head in my opinion. If people want satellite radio it would be neat if a 3rd party made an adaptor. Adding $20 to each unit so 10-15% (I think this is optimistic) of users can enjoy the extra functionality is not smart.
Just my opinion.
Josh
Just my opinion.
Josh
Since I got my iPod I haven't turned on the radio in any form. I don't know if by having all of my favorite tunes already on my iPod as well as the ability to choose which one to listen to I would ever want radio on my iPod. If it was an option though I am sure I would use it and I can see it being a selling point as competition heats up.
the silver fox said:
Doesn't this already happen? I know my iTunes "last played" field gets updated when I plug in my iPod.
Satellite radio?
I sure wish this would happen right now personally I wish it would have happened a long time ago but I get the feeling I would be one of the rare people to actually pay 20$ a month and use it. So from a buisness perspective at least for right now I think that Steve made the right choice. My other big concern if they did follow this tech and put in in the ipod where would the antenna go my brand new Acura RL has this big shark looking thing on it jus so it will receive xm. Even if you put a smaller antenna in there I have to believe that reception would be reduced substantially cancelling one of the major perks of sat radio the quality of the audio.
I sure wish this would happen right now personally I wish it would have happened a long time ago but I get the feeling I would be one of the rare people to actually pay 20$ a month and use it. So from a buisness perspective at least for right now I think that Steve made the right choice. My other big concern if they did follow this tech and put in in the ipod where would the antenna go my brand new Acura RL has this big shark looking thing on it jus so it will receive xm. Even if you put a smaller antenna in there I have to believe that reception would be reduced substantially cancelling one of the major perks of sat radio the quality of the audio.
iPod & Satellite
ME! I have been thinking about satellie and this would have clinched it for me....
LaMerVipere said:
ME! I have been thinking about satellie and this would have clinched it for me....
DAB would have a more worldwide appeal - shame the US hasn't adopted that standard. No thanks to FM - old technology.
After the rumor cluster-*uck this year, I wouldn't believe anything Apple or their partners say. They says there's not going to be one but they could be testing one right now.
Re: Tracking play count on the iPod
Yes, that's already a feature. I fell asleep recently with a couple of new songs in my On-the-go list and they played all night. I noticed that my Play Count in iTunes is over 50 for each of those songs now.
Yes, that's already a feature. I fell asleep recently with a couple of new songs in my On-the-go list and they played all night. I noticed that my Play Count in iTunes is over 50 for each of those songs now.
mcmav37 said:
Satellite radio is great and it sucks.
Satellite radio is great and it sucks.
It's great because of the lack of commercials and the quality.
It sucks because you have to have a stupid attena in your home with a base station for each system and each car. WTF.
The cost of installing the system into all your facilities is crazy. Not worth it IMO. But I guess if you love radio then maybe it is. I rather buy what I like and listen to when I want.. Thanks iTunes and iPod.
Maybe I'm missing the boat somewhere.
Satellite radio is great and it sucks.
It's great because of the lack of commercials and the quality.
It sucks because you have to have a stupid attena in your home with a base station for each system and each car. WTF.
The cost of installing the system into all your facilities is crazy. Not worth it IMO. But I guess if you love radio then maybe it is. I rather buy what I like and listen to when I want.. Thanks iTunes and iPod.
Maybe I'm missing the boat somewhere.