uSirius StarPlayr - Sirius XM on iPhone

[bprough]

was looking forward to this as I use my inlaws subscription now I would have to pay them to upgrade and not sure I will listen to it enough to warrant that. I do like how this new pricing is coming right around the time the app is to be released. Sirius knows what they are doing

 

[Superman07]

I hadn't seen yet that the quality was going to increase to the 128kbs stream. I was worried the bump would come just as a fee and no added service. Honestly, I'm okay with this. The subscription base has raised in recent years (regardless of the merger) and it's not like it's free for them to maintain their server capabilities or their bandwidth for the internet portion.

I would also hope this means more channels will be available, but I think that has more to do with contractual issues and desire on the part of Sirius|XM.

 

[skyfreedom]

x2

Every time someone posts in this thread I think maybe its out.

Indeed!! Wheres the app!!

 

[Superman07]

Report suggests the application will be submitted to Apple within the week. Release will be pending obvious review and approval.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/source-satellite-radio-iphone-app-going-public-soon.html

However, I can't help but wonder how much the recently announced charge for online content will impact this (in addition to the charger per version of this application).

Does anybody have any insight if Sirius|XM is to receive a cut of profits from this? I'd expect their main benefit from this would be in the form of new subscribers who are only interested in online content.

 

[MaxPower49]

Thats good news.

I hadn't heard of the online listening price increase. Thats bad news. Helluva time to raise prices with the economy and Sirius already struggling.

 

[Superman07]

True, however I've had my Sirius subscription for going on 4 years now and haven't had a price increase. Without any talk of monopoly and "see, this would happen", I don't see this as too unreasonable - especially since the quality will increase with it as well. They could just as easily increase the base subscriptions as well, but aren't (yet anyway). If you take into account inflation prices should probably be $1-2 more anyway.

If you want to look elsewhere Version has easily increased the price of their FIOS TV service by $10 since launch a year or two ago. Additionally, they now charge extra for additional HD channels, so really the increase is more like $15+.

 

[drichards]

Sirius knows about the upcoming app and existing Windows, Mac, and WinMo clients; certain shows (hoo hoo) have even talked about and prompted them, and no efforts to force cease and decist of operations has been made. This kind of app will only build buzz for the service.

Ron & Fez, noon til three.

 

[Be.Jammmin]

Does anyone think it's just a coincidence that as of March, online listening on SiriusXM is now going to cost $2.99 and now all of a sudden the Starplayr is going to be available? My guess is that the Starplayr is going to be released just before we have to pay for online listening to generate buzz, this will allow Sirius customers while obtaining additional revenue.

I am staying onboard either-way, but the timing does seem peculiar.

B

 

[MaxPower49]

I mainly listen to talk stations... I prefer my mp3s or Pandora for music. It sucks that I have to pay for the "bitrate upgrade" since the talk stations won't be broadcast at 128k anyways. I actually do most of my listening online... I may look into an online only account. Nice to have the car radio when you need it though.

 

[JonHimself]

I mainly listen to talk stations... I prefer my mp3s or Pandora for music. It sucks that I have to pay for the "bitrate upgrade" since the talk stations won't be broadcast at 128k anyways. I actually do most of my listening online... I may look into an online only account. Nice to have the car radio when you need it though.

... BUT... if you have the app on your iphone, all you need is the online subscription!

You're right though, the only thing I really want on sirius is the talk radio. I listen to the music but wouldn't have any problems getting music from other sources and not having to pay to upgrade the online stream... I'm interested in seeing how this change will affect Sirius Canada subs.

 

[DEAN616]

do you know if that 2.99 will be monthly or is that a once a subscription fee.

 

[nippyjun]

On the electronista site it says:

"Both Sirius and XM customers will have to pay an extra $3 per month for the streaming channels. Existing users can still 'lock in' the free service before the March deadline."


How do existing users lock in the free service?

 

[drichards]

How do existing users lock in the free service?

Re-up your sub to a year or lifetime, before the deadline.

 

[ScottNWDW]

Personally I don't see what all the crying is all about. I've been with Sirius for just over 5 years now and in that time not once did my subscription price go up. So now it's going up by $3 for the internet access. Big Deal, I think after 5 years I could afford a $3 increase. Where else have you been in the past 5 years without a price increase?

Also, in the past, you only got to "try it out online" free for a few days. So charging for just internet access is not something new. You can pay $12.95 a month for "just" the internet stream, or pay $15.95 for the internet stream and the satellite radio broadcast.

Personally, I look forward to the iPhone access and hope it comes out soon. The more ways I can listen to Sirius, the better snce there are more ways to access the content.

I don't understand why everyone thinks that because it's on an iPhone, or any other smartphone or computer device, it has to be free.

 

[MaxPower49]

... BUT... if you have the app on your iphone, all you need is the online subscription!

I have an ipod touch, not an iphone.

 

[MaxPower49]

Personally I don't see what all the crying is all about. I've been with Sirius for just over 5 years now and in that time not once did my subscription price go up. So now it's going up by $3 for the internet access. Big Deal, I think after 5 years I could afford a $3 increase. Where else have you been in the past 5 years without a price increase?

A $3 increase per month doesn't sound like much, but it is a 23% increase over what we are paying now. I just find it to be a surprising move for SiriusXM right now with them struggling to keep listeners and their stock price down to around 10 cents. I'm a little hesitant to renew my subscription with a company that could be going bankrupt.

I also thought one of the conditions for allowing the merger was they had to lock in current prices for a while.

 

[bbotte]

I already pay the 2.99 for the upgraded quality of online streams. I have to pay another 2.99 a month to keep it?

 

[Superman07]

I already pay the 2.99 for the upgraded quality of online streams. I have to pay another 2.99 a month to keep it?

In your case I think it would be a wash. The price for access to the internet stream includes the higher quality stream.

 

[Superman07]

A $3 increase per month doesn't sound like much, but it is a 23% increase over what we are paying now. I just find it to be a surprising move for SiriusXM right now with them struggling to keep listeners and their stock price down to around 10 cents. I'm a little hesitant to renew my subscription with a company that could be going bankrupt.

I also thought one of the conditions for allowing the merger was they had to lock in current prices for a while.

That was a condition of the merger. However, they can probably argue that the internet access was a benefit that they were giving for free rather than a feature of your subscription. So technically the price of your satellite radio service has not increased.

I agree with Scott that this isn't a big deal. If it's that much of an annoyance then don't pay to have access to the online access. If it is then it's only an extra $2.99 a month.

Also, it's sentiments like these,

I'm a little hesitant to renew my subscription with a company that could be going bankrupt.

that completely baffle me.

 

[bbotte]

Also, it's sentiments like these, that completely baffle me.

+1, Bankruptcy affects the companies creditors, not the customers. Even if they go into Bankruptcy, they will still be on. Bankruptcy does not equal "out of business".

 

[bbotte]

I wish all the NFL games were on the internet stream along with the nascar driver radios.....

 

[MaxPower49]

Sure, they may still be on for a while if they go bankrupt... but their future is far from certain. The stock was around $3.30 a year ago... now it is around 10 cents. I hear they are around $1B in debt and is posting enormous lossses. With the bad economy, subscription numbers are dropping. Who know what kind of programming or other changes could be coming in attempt to cut costs.

I like Sirius, forgive me if I'm a little leery of signing a contract with a company that is struggling that badly. Do you have to sign on for 2 years to avoid the $3 increase, or will a 1 year extension do the trick?

 

[BigHungry04]

Sure, they may still be on for a while if they go bankrupt... but their future is far from certain. The stock was around $3.30 a year ago... now it is around 10 cents. I hear they are around $1B in debt and is posting enormous lossses. With the bad economy, subscription numbers are dropping. Who know what kind of programming or other changes could be coming in attempt to cut costs.

I like Sirius, forgive me if I'm a little leery of signing a contract with a company that is struggling that badly. Do you have to sign on for 2 years to avoid the $3 increase, or will a 1 year extension do the trick?

You would probably have to sign up for two years. I've had a lifetime subscription to Sirius since 2004, so it won't affect me at all. My only fear is that they go out of business, because then I'll have to listen to regular radio, and it is terrible.

 

[JonHimself]

You would probably have to sign up for two years. I've had a lifetime subscription to Sirius since 2004, so it won't affect me at all. My only fear is that they go out of business, because then I'll have to listen to regular radio, and it is terrible.

Yeah, that is the worst part. I generally mix-up my iPod and Sirius on drives but would miss the "live" aspect of satellite radio and not having to make playlists, etc... I won't be able to listen to fm radio.

 

[FearlessFreep]

You don't seem to realize that satellite radio's killer is already here - and it's on your phone. It's called Internet radio and as the Internet becomes more and more ubiquitous, you'll be able to tune in services like Last.fm or Pandora anyhow. Even talk and news streams will be delivered the same way.

Internet coverage is not quite to the point where it's reliable enough to be widespread, but it's getting closer. Certainly if you are in an urban area it's almost there.