XM Radio (Factory installed)

[spurdon]

From: http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2002_06_27.html

General Motors in November rolled out factory-installed Delphi-Delco XM radios in Cadillac Deville and Seville models, and will expand to a total of 25 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Olds and Pontiac models this year. Isuzu dealers now offer XM radios to buyers of their Axiom and Rodeo models. XM will be available as an option this coming fall on six Infiniti and Nissan 2003 models as well a future Audi and Volkswagen models. XM radios are available at major electronics retailers nationwide. Leading manufacturers such as Sony, Alpine and Pioneer offer a broad array of XM radios that easily enable any existing car stereo system. XM's strategic investors include America's leading car, radio and satellite TV companies -- General Motors, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Clear Channel Communications and DIRECTV. For more information, please visit XM's web site: http://www.xmradio.com.

[Adam]

I saw television commericals for XM Radio when on vacation in Hawaii. I was quite impressed that the technology had come that far. I'm from Australia, and spent the duration of my trip wondering if it would ever reach my end of the world.

It looks like quite a good idea, but I can just imagine the inane commercials... I know it's a subscriber service, but so is my cable TV, and it blows.

[spurdon]

Adam,

Take a look at this. They have come far but still have a ways to go! I really am thinking about buying one but now I'm going to wait and see what happens.

Best

________________________________


From Business 2.0 July 2002

By: Mike Drummond

Wall Street, We Have a Problem
(Why XM Radio's Satellites Have Company Execs Keeping Their Fingers Crossed.)

Behind the Facade of a 100-Year-old printing plant in Wahington, D.C., XM Satellite Radio runs a high-tech show that would make even the generals at NORAD envious. Its space-age broadcast center features illuminated glass floors and wall-size plasma screens that track every facet of XM's technical operation.

But the true heart of the operation - a pair of $130 million, 702-class Boeing commercial satellites (dubbed "Rock" and "Roll") that beam 100 audio channels to more than 100,000 subscribers - lies some 22,000 miles above, and suddenly it has XM's execs running scared. According to recent 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the mirrors on the satellites' solar panels are develping a cloudy film, diminishing their ability to generate enough power to broadcast at full strength for the projected 15 year life of the satellites. Eventually, the company admits, the birds will conk out entirely, but XM promises that they'll perform to spec "at least through 2005."

That's hardly reassuring, however, considering that 2005 is when analysts expect XM finally to hit two critical goals: 5 million subscribers and breakeven earnings. (The company reported 1.8 million in revenue for the first quarter of 2002.) Fortunately for XM, the company's secondary offering in April raised $154 million in additional financing, which would cover the cost of launching a replacement. XM has a backup Boeing 702 sitting on the ground in Long Beach, Calif., awaiting the dealth of Rock and Roll.- MIKE DRUMMOND
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[spurdon]

Wayne,

Very interesting! A business making a profit on lawsuits (only in american)!

I will wait and see what happens before I buy one.

I would agree that I might buy a unit for my car but the monthly fee is not cool. I guess there is a home unit Sony DRN-XM01C which might not be to bad, but still expensive.

Don Steinberg's article: Smart Business June 2002

SIRIUS:

Sirius Satellite Radio (5 stars)
good sound; great music and news channels with frequent exclusive live performances.

www.sirius.com $12.95/month

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X859 (4 stars)
a do-it-all monster with an animated display; receives Sirius radio and plays MP3 CDs.

www.kenwoodusa.com $600


XM

XM Satellite Radio (4 stars)
over 100 channels including news; easy to use. A music lover's dream.

www.xmradio.com $9.95/month

Sony DRN-XM01C (4 stars)
You sacrifice a neat, installed look in the car for a removable unit that plays XM-beautifully-in the house.

www.sel.sony.com $299 plus $149 for home kit

Pioneer GEX-FM903XM (3 stars)
Plays XM through existing car radio with out requiring a new radio unit.

www.pioneerelectronics.com $300

[spurdon]

FYI:

This is interesting "lawsuit that Sirius has/had with XM radio"

http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=7081219&tid=cdrd&sid=7081219&mid=98367

It also looks like XM is getting more and more users:

Washington, July 1 (Bloomberg) -- XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. had more than 136,500 customers in the second quarter, exceeding forecasts, after the first U.S. satellite-radio broadcaster sold more radios at electronics stores...

http://www.bloomberg.com/fgcgi.cgi?T=marketsquote99_news.ht&s=APSC3pRKoWE0gUmFk