“Satellite radio powerhouses Sirius and XM said this week they hope to tie the knot and merge into a single mammoth provider, a move which could simplify integration of the radio service in iPods sometime down the line,” Aidan Malley writes for AppleInsider.
Malley writes, “Tellingly, Sirius and XM agreed in the announcement that their primary rivals weren’t each other, but instead other formats. The announcement specifically called out the threats from ‘iPods and mobile phone streaming,’ reflecting the increased pressure to compete with not just radios, but with the digital music players that replace them.”
“The news resurrects the possibility of iPod integration with satellite radio, an idea previously killed off by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The Apple frontman shelved the idea after negotiations with Sirius chief Karmazin failed to impress, saying that a lack of interesting content was a key obstacle — an obstacle now at least partly removed by a near doubling of channels,” Malley writes.
Full article here.
Mary DeSade writes for Howard Seriously that some “suggest that the merger of XM and Sirius might make it more likely that the iPod will carry satellite radio broadcasts, but in fact, the merger makes it less likely. At least in the short run.”
“Because what both reporters failed to understand is the fact that the iPhone WILL BE SIRIUS ENABLED. It will be able to receive Sirius broadcasts. Apple has nothing to do with it. Sirius doesn’t need Apple’s permission,” DeSade writes.
“The iPhone has a full featured web browser which allows it access to the entire internet including Sirius’ web broadcast. (And XM’s by the way.) Apple would have to actively prevent the iPhone from getting Sirius. If Steve Jobs tried to do that, prevent web users from accessing specific content, all hell would break loose. Especially given the fact that iPod and satellite radio are viewed as competitors. Sirius could easily sue them and win,” DeSade writes. “Moreover, it simply doesn’t hurt Apple if their iPhones can receive Sirius web broadcasts. If anything, it will simply help iPhone sales.”
Full article here.
Related articles:
SIRIUS and XM to combine in $13 billion merger – February 19, 2007
Sirius shares spike in volume on ‘chatter of potential Apple partnership’ – October 18, 2006
Apple iPod+Sirius Satellite Radio? – July 06, 2006
Sirius would like to work with Apple; Howard Stern Sirius podcasts for sale via iTunes? – December 09, 2005
Apple iPod combined with Sirius Satellite Radio would be a music revolution – May 27, 2005
Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Karmazin discusses Sirius-enabled Apple iPod – May 25, 2005
Sirius CEO Karmazin looks to add satellite radio to Apple iPod; no deal – yet – February 10, 2005
Sirius has approached Apple on adding service to iPod – February 09, 2005
Analyst throws cold water on Apple iPod – Sirius Satellite radio deal – December 16, 2004
Analysts: Apple iPod + Sirius Satellite Radio ‘technologically unfeasible right now’ – December 15, 2004
RUMOR: Apple to add SIRIUS Satellite Radio (and Howard Stern) to iPod in mid-2005 – December 10, 2004