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Given that the most-used features of cellphones are things other than talking on the phone (presumably included in the "Other 9%"), I predict that they will become like this Nintendo controller of the future.

The merger was approved on July 25th, 2008. Four months ago, not "a little over a year ago." They announced their intention to merge in February of 2007. The long period between these two events probably created a lot of new unexpected problems for the two companies.

In the third quarter their subscription rates and revenue were up 17% and 16% respectively over last year. I haven't seen any evidence that they're losing subscribers at an increasing rate.

Satellite radio is built into many new cars, which is where most people listen to the radio. It's also extremely popular with truckers. The iPhone thing is a nice alternative for technically inclined people, but it seems unlikely to me that the average person is going to bother with it.

Full disclosure: I am a satellite radio subscriber, and I am somewhat satisfied with the service but not sure how much longer I will keep my subscription.

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/25/ST2008072503697.html
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-xm-radio-inc-losses.html

"While our friends at Intel, Google and Microsoft may find system errors, computer glitches and dropped calls tolerable, broadcasters do not."

I find that statement by these old curmudgeons and stalwarts offensive and I don't work for any of these companies.

I do however have cable internet and digital cable television (Comcast) and it is extremely glitchy, both the internet service and the TV. The TV service momentarily blinks out and pixelates about 10 times per day on average and sometimes worse. Quite often I get loud blasts of a split second static. These glitches are incredibly annoying if you are watching a movie and take you out of the experience.

The cable internet I have is one of their premium packages and though it is very fast it blinks out about once a week or so and I regularly have strange bouts of extremely slow speeds.

I can't help but think that a company like Google could do a better job of providing these services if they were so inclined. NAB is all about protecting their business interests by any means necessary. They've done their best to fight satellite radio: http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/the-nab-a-history-of-hypocrisy.html. The unfortunate thing is these guys have deep pockets and (which they buy their friends in Congress with) and influence policy without any concern of the common good of the people. These are OUR radio waves right? We employ the government to mange the airways to suit our interests right? Well at least that was the the idea...

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/did-opie-anthony -cross-the-line-with-condi-rice.html

I thought XM re-broadcast Clearchannel content? Where did you think all of those advertisements were coming from? http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2006/03/ 10/xm-the-sounds-of-salesmen.aspx http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xm-canada-dumps- clear-channel-content.html And anyway, ClearChannel is dumping stations as well. http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease .aspx?PressReleaseID=1825 "Clear Channel Announces Plan to Sell Radio Stations Outside the Top 100 Markets and Entire Television Station Group SAN ANTONIO - November 16, 2006 - Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU) today announced plans to sell 448 of its 1,150 radio stations, all located outside the top 100 U.S. media markets, as well as the company's 42-station Television Group. Collectively, these properties contributed less than 10 percent of the company's revenues last year. "

Feinstein clearly does not understand that the point of the copyright allowed in the constitution was to promote progress, not to protect rich corporations. She is clearly more of a Republican in this area. Here are some form letter responses that her office sends to complaints.

Feinstein responds with a form letter about the PERFORM DRM act:

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=193819&cid=158 92380

And the same response to someone else:
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/congressman-resp onds-to-perform-act-dispute.html (scroll down)

Feinstein response with a form letter about the DMCA:
http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=21099&cid= 2234915

"....
If you have other questions or comments, please do not
hesitate to write to me again, or contact my Washington, D.C. staff
at (202) 224-3841."

Feinstein clearly does not understand that the point of the copyright allowed in the constitution was to promote progress, not to protect rich corporations. She is clearly not a Democrat in this area. Here are some form letter responses that her office sends to complaints.

Feinstein responds with a form letter about the PERFORM DRM act:

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=193819&cid=158 92380

And the same response to someone else:
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/congressman-resp onds-to-perform-act-dispute.html

Feinstein response with a form letter about the DMCA:
http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=21099&cid= 2234915

"....
If you have other questions or comments, please do not
hesitate to write to me again, or contact my Washington, D.C. staff
at (202) 224-3841."

A recent study conducted on the Neanderthal hyoid found that due to the physical characteristics of Neanderthals and the fact that their larynx would have been stouter than that of the modern human, the average note emitted by Neanderthals would have been high pitched and sharper than that of modern man, contrary to the media stereotype of Neanderthals having ape-like grunts.

So, basically they would have sounded (or will sound) like this.

Orbitcast.com talked about this a while ago.

The Samsung neXus and Sirius S50 won't allow for the copying of recorded content off of the units - so it's a non-issue.

Now, the RIAA will definitely up the costs of both satellite radio broadcasts, as well as for iTunes when the contracts expire. But that has absolutely nothing to do with these devices.... that has everything to do with the RIAA's greed.

Orbitcast.com talked about this a while ago.

The Samsung neXus and Sirius S50 won't allow for the copying of recorded content off of the units - so it's a non-issue.

Now, the RIAA will definitely up the costs of both satellite radio broadcasts, as well as for iTunes when the contracts expire. But that has absolutely nothing to do with these devices.... that has everything to do with the RIAA's greed.

Orbitcast.com talked about this a while ago.

The Samsung neXus and Sirius S50 won't allow for the copying of recorded content off of the units - so it's a non-issue.

Now, the RIAA will definitely up the costs of both satellite radio broadcasts, as well as for iTunes when the contracts expire. But that has absolutely nothing to do with these devices.... that has everything to do with the RIAA's greed.

Wha?! The NFL is probably the worst sport format to LISTEN to... I want to watch the game, not listen to it. XM already nabbed Major League Baseball and if any sport is meant for the radio - it's the MLB.

XM Satellite radio was also in talks with Apple, though they didn't do a non-announcement announcement like our good boy Mel.

XM too was turned down by Apple, because they need to concentrate on making the iPod cheaper and fighting off growing competition.

BUT.. there's a lot speculation (http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/2005/02/xm_appl e_is_hap.html) that XM is working on an iPod Accessory - titled the XM SkyPod - using their Connect-and-Play technology (which allows any audio device to be "XM Ready" with the addition of a single low-cost chip and a mini-satellite radio antenna).

An iPod Accessory device would make much more sense as it would apply to the niche that would want to listen to Satellite Radio on their iPod.

Podcasting is hardly broadcasting. Recording to MP3 and making it downloadable isn't in my definition of a 'broadcast' - what next? saving images to your iPod Photo will be labeled Photocasting? please. Satellite radio is the future of digital audio, not the mindless musings of people with too much time.