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XM PCR Control Program for Mac OS X

Posted by pudge on from the satellite-radio-for-the-rest-of-us dept.

nsayer writes "I'm a fan of XM Radio. The least expensive XM radio you can get is the XM PCR, which is powered and controlled over a USB connection to a host PC (the audio does not, however, come back across the USB connection. It's just got an analog line-out jack). Unfortunately, the only software they give you is for Windows. But fortunately, it's been reverse engineered, so I was able to write MacXM. At this point, it is very stable and easy to use, and so far as I know it is the only XM radio software that integrates with the iTunes music store (click a button and iTunes pops up with a search for the current song title and artist)."

4 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. XM radio by JelloG3 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    thanks to the people who love macs, yet another product that people made for windows, and was saved and ported to the Mac =D

    1. Re:XM radio by tackaberry · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I agree completely, it is a great_improvement, over today's commercial radio. With all of the media consolidation, voice-tracking, endless commercials, and super-tight playlists, there is very little out there that I find appealing.

      The station I listen to the most is public-supported WFUV. Most of the other stations in NYC are horrible. If I'm not listening to 'FUV, I'm listening to my iPod.

      Satellite radio, meets the gap by offering the breadth of programming that is absent in today's commercial radio. However, as a new technology there is a steep adoption curve, and with all of the capital costs involved, subscriber base is the most important measurement. Instead of charging for each unit, they may be better off charging per customer, and allow them to use multiple units (what is their increased marginal cost - I can only listen to one radio at a time). Streaming via iTunes could be another revenue stream. I can sample their service, without having to spend a lot of money for a receiver. If I like it, chances are, I'm more inclined to put a receiver in my car.

      I can't recall where I read it, but somewhere I recall reading that Apple users are more inclined to embrace new technologies, and a great percentage of Apple users have broadband versus Windows users.

      If they are using AAC, there is no excuse to use the best Mac music client.

  2. But For How Long ... ? by paxcirca · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm glad to see Windows-only products made available to Mac users. XM Radio, though, isn't in great financial shape.

  3. Re:Is this the future of the "integrated" app? by Da+Penguin · · Score: 5, Informative
    > Just thought I might point out that when Apple integrates
    > products for the end user's convenience, they're
    > innovators and geniuses, best thing since sliced bread,
    > etc... But when Microsoft does the same thing, they're
    > abusive monopolists who crush the little guy.

    Apple doesn't integrate their apps into the OS. Apple integrates the many apps together with publically accessible APIs, so that other people may do the same.

    Plus many times when they come up with some useful functionality, they put it into the API so that others may profit from their work.