<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Satellite Radio]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Satellite Radio]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/satellite radio http://jalopnik.com/tag/satellite radio <![CDATA[XM, Sirius Take Another Baby Step Toward Merger]]> Ha! You thought that Department of Justice approval was the finish line for the long, drawn out satellite radio merger? Well, it wasn't, but the end is getting closer as Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is reportedly officially backing the merger. There were also some interesting concessions made by the companies to keep things moving along. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=396267&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Porsche 911 Adds XM, NavTraffic]]> One tidbit we missed during our first read of today's announcement of the 2009 Porsche 911: Not to be outdone by the likes of the Nissan Altima and Toyota Corolla, Porsche has decided to bite the bullet and include XM Radio and NavTraffic (with complimentary three-month subscription, no less). The 2009 911 will be the second vehicle from Porsche to include XM Radio; the Cayenne minivan SUV has been offering the satellite radio service for the past few years. Follow the jump for the full release. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=395295&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Pioneer AVIC-F Series Media, Navigation Systems Features Advanced Voice Recognition]]> Pioneer has announced a few new additions to its line of car navigation systems. The AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT and AVIC-F90BT come with features like iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, MSN Direct, HD Radio, XM, Sirius, CD, DVD, USB, SD and more. Although, the real specialness comes from their voice recognition abilities. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=382112&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HD Radio Looks To Tackle Traffic Conundrum]]> Eight radio companies of different sizes and varieties have joined together to form the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium. Think of it like the Superfriends of yesteryear, but replace the super powers with a lot more boring. The group's goal is to utilize the digital radium spectrum—the one currently being used (sparingly) for HD Radio—for traffic and mapping information. Doing so could help monetize HD Radio, which is severely lacking on the funds. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379900&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sirius, XM Finalize Merger, Make Sweet Music]]> Remember that Sirius and XM merger that was announced well over a year ago? Well, it FINALLY was approved by the Department of Justice. Basically this means everything went through and all that is approval from the Federal Communications Commission that should be easier than the DOJ, presumably. This was the biggest hurdle of the entire ordeal and I am happy to see it finally take a giant step forward. The next step is to get the approval from the Federal Communications Commission, get the papers signed and begin the merge process that will put the goods from XM like MLB baseball with the goods from Sirius like NFL, Howard Stern and more. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=371535&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sirius Extends Partnership With Chrysler]]> Exactly one year after the initial announcement of the Sirius and XM merger, exactly nothing has happened, so it's no surprise that Sirius has decided to go ahead and extend its partnership with Chrysler. The deal will make Sirius the exclusive satellite radio provider in Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge model through 2017. By then I hope to have a satellite radio chip implanted in my brain. Or hell, maybe those wacky Chrysler concepts will be available by then. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357758&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Hyundai Sonata First To Feature New XM GUI]]> You got all of the details about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata and its extra-large cupholders yesterday, but there is one more little detail that makes this tech-fiend particularly excited. The 2009 Sonata will feature XM's new and improved touchscreen graphic user interface. Forget about the car, that graphical interface is a beaut! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=353922&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sirius, XM Merger: Nearly a Year Later and Still Nothing]]> Seriously, has it been that long? All I want is for the two to finally kiss, make up, merge and make everyone happy, especially the million upon millions of users of satellite radio in the home or on the road. Last night, something went down that caused Matt Drudge, of the infamous Drudge Report, to sound the sirens and compose the following headline:
APPROVED OR DENIED? DRAMA BUILDS AROUND SIRIUS-XM MERGER... DEVELOPING...
There was no link or any further details, just that headline. I'm actively waiting for something to go down today, but like most of my Friday nights in high school, I think I will be left alone, with nothing to soothe me. Keep clicking to see how this merger has stacked up with some of the other mergers of the recent past. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=349800&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Satellite Radio Retail Numbers Are Down, Who's To Blame?]]> As a bit of disclosure, I'll admit that I'm a satellite radio fanatic. So it saddens me to hear that the numbers for December are significantly down. How significant? How about 37.5-percent significant, for, you know, the biggest shopping month of the year. Note that this number is specifically retail, so it only includes all of the aftermarket receivers purchased and suction-cupped to a windshield. So what's with the drop in satellite radio receiver sales? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=348163&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Fixed Mast Antenna Going The Way Of The Dodo Bird, Scripted Television]]> More and more we've been seeing less and less of the classic fixed mast/pole/stick antennae that once served as evidence of our country's love of the radio. Now that we're migrating towards satellite radio, MP3s and DVDs, the metal mast antenna is being replaced by the smaller in-glass models or sleeker roof-mounted versions. Personally, we're sad to see them go. The newer versions may be better looking and less likely to get damaged in a car wash, but for local radio the reception provided by the long, proud mast is hard to top. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=348144&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[CES 2008: Ford Unveils Sirius Travel Link Navigation System, Offers At-A-Glance Gas Prices, Sports Scores, Other Random Info]]> In addition to a tease of even more Sync-ing to come at the 2008 CES show, Ford's just unveiled their newest toy to complement the Sync system. It's called the Sirius Travel Link navigation system — and it's a nav system that uses Sirius's ability to download data to your in-dash system to give drivers and passengers up-to-the-minute information on the little stuff you need when you're driving — stuff like gas prices, traffic, weather, sports scores and movie listings. All the random tidbits of information you can normally get by looking out your windshield or tuning to WWJ your local AM news station. Well, except for the movie listings. The system also supposedly "includes full music "jukebox" capability - with space for up to 2,400 tracks and Gracenote® technology for album cover art..." and will be first available in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. But anyway, it's just what we wanted — yet another opportunity to watch drivers randomly glancing away from the road. Still, it sounds pretty cool — let us know when we can get RSS feeds from our fave web sites added and we're sold. Full press release after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=341355&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Manufacturers Give Thumbs Up to Sirius, XM Merger Everyone Forgot About]]> It's been 10 months, so what the hell is going on with that Sirius and XM satellite radio merger? Eh, it's a bunch of bureaucratic BS, but the Department of Justice should be giving approval by the end of the year with the final ballbuster, the FCC, hopefully giving the go ahead in February. Apparently investors people are even starting to get antsy. GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia all publicly gave support for the merger citing the price, competition and availability benefits. Chrysler even went as far as writing the FCC's chairman and assistant attorney general expressing no opposition to the merger. After the fold check out what your favorite manufacturer had to say about the merger, straight from the horse's mouth. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=335342&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ferrari 612 Scaglietti to Get Standard XM]]> What good is being a corporate lobbyist and having a fat, luxe Ferrari if you can't hear the "Ron & Fez" show on the way to the day spa? No damn good, we say. But take heed. Ferrari will include XM Radio and XM NavTraffic as standard equipment in the 612 Scaglietti flagship grand tourer, along with three years of service. I guess just listening to the engine won't cut it anymore. Maybe if XM had a channel that only played Ferrari V12s... Hmm. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=286783&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Buy A Used GM Car, Get XM Radio Free...For Three Months]]> According to a joint release from the General and XM, we're told GM's offering a "satellite radio trial program" for their certified used vehicles program. What it means is any GM used vehicle sold as "certified" and equipped with an XM Radio will get three months of XM service for free and they'll waive any and all activation fees. It probably will be added in as the 118th point right after "117.) Spritz faux new-car scent" in their "rigorous 117-point inspection and reconditioning process." Full press release after the jump. – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=262939&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Breaking! XM, Sirius Announce Merger!]]>
Although rumors have been running rampant since this morning, it's now official — they'll be combining in a $13 billion "merger of equals." Where have I heard that before? Oh wait, yeah — isn't DaimlerChrysler trying to sell off one of those "equals" as we speak? Anyway, here's the press release — hot off of wherever it is press releases come from these days: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=237930&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sirius Cuts Year-End Subscriber Forecast: Auto Units To Blame?]]> Sirius lowered expectations on the number of folks out there it plans on having as subscribers at the end of the year — from an initial estimate of 6.3 million subscribers to somewhere between 5.9 and 6.1 million. Simultaneously, the big Stern-friendly satellite radio company's released new and cheaper models of it's portable satellite units in an effort to expand sales in the iPod market. So far, reports are the new units, including the new Stiletto 10, are receiving some fairly decent sales action from the lovers of music and talk radio beamed in from space. Despite its recent release, the $249.99 portable player with the ability to store up to ten hours of Sirius programming's already sold out on the Sirius web site. So then where's the lack of love coming from that caused a drop in Sirius shares of around 7.3% today? Well, one can only guess... More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=219399&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ad Watch: Chrysler, Dodge And Jeep Look To Stem Sales Losses With Crappy Satellite Radio Deal]]> Yes, we know Sirius sucks compared to XM — but, free satellite radio's free satellite radio, and considering the lease deals the folks at the Chrysler Group are now reported to be offering, I feel like it's almost a pity deal. So pony up your $185 or whatever per month, and you too can save a starving automaker — remember, leasing a Commander, Aspen or Durango can help to feed, clothe and pay for college for the entire family of one engineer in Auburn Hills, MI. Do your part. Two more commercials, one for Chrysler and one for Jeep, can both be found below the jump. [Addendum: Sirius doesn't actually suck compared to XM — the comparison was made to accentuate the Chrysler Group's loan deals. Sirius is a very fine satellite radio system, and hey, they've got Howard Stern — and who doesn't love Howard, right? That is all.]– Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=214095&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[DaimlerChrysler to Stick with Sirius Through 2012]]> Hemi Guys won't have to give up their Howard Stern Show (or their Martha Stewart, as the case may be) until at least 2012. DaimlerChrysler recently extended its exclusive deal with Sirius Satellite Radio by seven years, including all US-sold Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz vehicles and Freightliner trucks. Sirius expects the Chrysler Group alone to add more than 750,000 subscribers during the 2006 model year. Buyers can choose Sirius as a factory-installed option for $195, which includes a year's subscription to the service and unlimited utterances of "FaFaFoFo." More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=134418&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Installing In-Car Satellite Radio]]> Alice Hill at Real Tech News offers a rundown on how to install and activate a satellite radio for the car, using a Sirius StarMate satellite unit, plus FM transmitter (via cigarette lighter socket) and remote control. We freely admit to our lack of automotive electronics acumen (and our OCD-level hatred for hanging wires), but it actually seems simple enough for even us to do, without erasing our eyebrows (don't ask). The complete lack of static, however is something we'd really have to get used to. More »
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