[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sunchild
[B]XM is doomed.

 

what is this... more junk spam? its bad enough that I get this kind of marketing in my email, but on this board too?

About XM, it was discussed some time ago as well. In my opnion, its a nice idea, but very bad design. They have a lot of money backing up the marketing end of it, but as far as the product itself, the technology isn't that new, exiting and for 10 bucks a month, you don't get much as a service. IF, and I do mean a big IF, they get enough subscribers it will actually stay in business, until then... well, its too expensive of a system to maintain for what it is.

Now, other competitors to XM, hmmmm, I wish I could tell you some of the good stuff. But lets just say narrowcasting IS out there, and will be released soon.

 

As far as rain fade, there are repeaters all around "Major" Markets i.e.. Washington, DC. As far as the "who would pay to listen the the radio" I dunno, lets go back 10-15 years, WHO WOULD PAY FOR Cable?? only about 80% of the pop!! The FM Part, since the signal is digital, and it is going thought the "FM" part of the radio you would think the sound would be degraded. but in actuality the sound quality is BETTER than CD Believe it or not, like I said, you have to HEAR IT TO BELIEVE IT! I work for the shop and I DO NOT get free service, nor do I work on commission. I love it!! Have not touched my FM for the past week there is ALWAYS something on that you will like and listen to. From uninterrupted love songs, to uninterrupted 90's! Anyone in the DC Area wanna swing by and take a listen feel free to gimme a halla!

Later
Robert

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vtecpwr18
[B]

I recently heard XM for the first time, and it is AS ADVERTISED.

 

Now that's a valid point. I sure would hate to go out and blow $300 - $700 on a system that'll be useless next year.

The competitor to XM is Sirrus and I think they're going to need mucho differentiation to survive more than one year. They're not even out of the starting gate yet...

 

industry expers expect 40 million subscribers in less than 5 years.

With XM radio being included in upcoming Honda models as well as GMC, it should be here to stay.

Plus, you guys have to hear it!!!!! It is absolutely a 300% improvement over radio. I'm so sick and tired of my redneck radio stations down here in the south, so I'm definitely in for this one.

(I'm just excited cos I learned that the Pioneer XM tuner will work on ANY Pioneer unit with an IP-Bus connection...I think it is just a little harder to navigate through channels than if you had a new head unit that is "XM ready")

 

 

DaveZ - that wasn't one of the competitors that I was thinking of. Very few seem to know what they are doing and even fewer are doing it well as the technologies are pushed into the market. However, even with the best ideas and the best technologies for the consumer and for the artist - none of that will matter much.

I just would hate to see another Betamax or minidisc product released to market where people spend thousands of dollars on something that will be useless in three years.

 

Cadillac is going to start using or are using the Satellite radio in there cars.

 

Fortune Magazine has just named XM Satellite Radio "Product of the Year" for 2001. So I hope that is a sign that it will stay around for a while.