Ony as long as Microsoft keeps making Media Player for Mac OS X, I suppose. Maybe XM should have tied into iTunes which defintiely has versions for each OS at the same version number and with the same capabilities. Or, maybe XM should have developed its own cross-platform streaming app using OGG/Vorbis streams or whatever. It looks like they've tied themselves to Microsoft's player now. Hopefully it won't bite them in the butt later.

This sounds like something that might find its way into a version of iTunes in the near future. Well unless Steve prefers Sirius.

Yeah, I'm sure if they run into problems later they'll build it into iTunes or something at that time. I don't think this is the kind of thing that takes years to develop or anything.

Yuck, I hate Window Media Player. While iTunes would have been great, a standalone app. by XM would have been even better. If it came down to it, I'd still prefer a Quicktime stream. It's much better, IMO.

Serius is so much better than XM as far as traveling across country! Serius rules!
~KM

Quote

Biff wrote:
This sounds like something that might find its way into a version of iTunes in the near future. Well unless Steve prefers Sirius.

I don't believe ALL of the XM programming will be availale to the potential Dell purchasers. The offiial XMSR press release says:

"XM Radio Online subscribers will be able to listen to XM's critically-acclaimed, 100% commercial-free music channels and a variety of other XM content, including The Bob Edwards Show, over the Internet for a monthly fee of $7.99. XM Satellite Radio subscribers will receive a discounted rate for XM Radio Online of $3.99 a month."

This is raising a few eybrows in the media community; articles such as this from Satellite Today are coming out now.

Satellite Today -

"XM Tests The Internet Waters, But Why?

XM Satellite Radio [XMSR] now is looking at Internet users as the next source of subscribers to its commercial-free satellite radio service. XM Radio Online subscribers will be able to listen to XM's music stations and a variety of other content for a monthly fee of $7.99 As a perk, current subscribers to XM's traditional satellite radio service can subscribe to XM Radio Online for $3.99.

While having a solid source of commercial-free music and other content could be desirable, Satellite Today sees a couple of red flags regarding this service. First, one has to question why XM would seek more money from its existing subscribers just to get access to something for which they've already paid but over a different medium? Given the availability of in-home receivers for satellite radio, why would anyone who already is an XM subscriber want to pay for this service? We believe it could be an interesting marketing tool to introduce potential subscribers to XM and to allow them to see if the service is for them, but to ask existing subscribers to pay for an additional mode of access doesn't make much business sense.

The other red flag has to do with XM Radio Online's competitors: the plethora of free Internet radio stations. Given the fact that many Internet users consider music as something to be distributed for free over the Internet, XM's premium service is going to be a hard sell."

Has anyone gotten this thing to install? I have tried several times and the Vise installer just sits there forever and never intalls anything.

Since Sirius is the underdog in the satellite radio war, it'd seem more likely that they'd team up with Apple to go after "big bad" leader XM.

But wait! Sirius already HAS online streaming! You can get a 3-day "guest pass" to try it out (although it, too, uses Windows Media Player) Sirius' slightly-higher monthly fee seems on par with XM since they throw in streaming audio for free.

Besides, I'm suspicious whenever ANY company offers anything "for a limited time." Like the offers for 3-months of broadband service for $19.99, XM is counting on many of its customers keeping the streaming option even after the $3.99/month intro price expires and they raise the price to... what?

8 bucks/month DOES seem high when I can listen to stations on iTunes for free, but who knows? Stranger things have happened. Who ever thought we'd be paying lots of money each month just to WATCH TELEVISION?!!!

-Ken P

PS: BTW, I am still on the fence with XM and Sirius and will probably wait til my next new car purchase to decide whether to partake in either one. Sirius had cool anti-corporate ads when they first lauched that must have made a bigger impression on me than XM's marketing spin.

Ken P,
It is very obvious that you are biased towards Sirius with your comments. Here are a couple of things for people to chew on.

I have been told that XM's internet service will have digital quality, CD like, but that Sirius does not have this quality right now. Something to look into.

XM will be also offering most of its channels where Sirius has their music and little else over the internet.

You Said:
"Besides, I'm suspicious whenever ANY company offers anything "for a limited time." Like the offers for 3-months of broadband service for $19.99, XM is counting on many of its customers keeping the streaming option even after the $3.99/month intro price expires and they raise the price to... what?"

Respectfully, what are you talking about? " ...and they raise the price to... what?" Hogwash if you ask me.

You Said:
"8 bucks/month DOES seem high when I can listen to stations on iTunes for free, but who knows?"

XM is a service, it is HIGHLY superior to any terrestrial radio that you can get your hands on.

Jason

pyxl8

the problem is: SIRIUS might be the underdog... but they are also the "bad guy"!!

take a look at mr. J.P. Clayton (CEO) and his relationship with Global Crossing - 8+ mil$ salary.....

Dude, do you have "Serius"? If so, is it spelled like this on YOUR receiver? Also, how is Sirius superior to XM in X-country travel? Do you have both to compare? XM has a sattelite over both coasts and I live in the middle of the country. Works great here.

I agree. I am an XM subscriber and don't think the added cost is fair. I like XM and will not change. I like the streaming service idea so I can listen at work on a work pc. Lot's of people can't get XM signal with a portable at work who like to listen to their favorite programming thats on while working.

I think its really stupid to try and compete with Internet Radio... I, personally would never pay money to listen to XM or Sirius from my comp if Internet Radio is still around.

Well, this sucks. As an XM subscriber for over a year, they've screwed over the Mac community. Third party software had to be made for the XMPCR (and while it's wonderful software, XM doesn't support it). And the same goes for XM Online. It requires Windows and Internet Explorer. Could it get any worse? lol

http://www.xmradio.com/xstream/

It's true... XM Online does not support the Mac Platform yet...

XM Online will not work in Safari. It almost works in IE for Mac, the guide loads but no music. I'm not sure about Firefox but it didn't work on the XP side. Seems to be IE6 only so far.

You are right. I get the guide on IEMac but no sound. And the "tech" people at XM Radio were of absolutely no help. Not their fault, really. They know only what they've been told. I'm truly disappointed. What started as an excellent commercial relationship quickly soured.