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XM Radio Pulls PC Hardware

Posted by timothy on from the kill-golden-geese-quickly dept.

Didion Sprague writes "News.com is reporting that XM has decided to "quietly discontinue" the XMPCR -- a tiny USB satellite radio receiver for XM radio. Slashdot readers may remember last week's story about TimeTrax -- homebrewed software that allows XMPCR users to automatically record and tag each song. Now, XMPCR receivers are going for almost $400 on ebay. The RIAA, it should be noted, claims that they weren't "behind the discontinuation of the PCR"."

7 of 265 comments (clear)

  1. Lotta Chatter: Orange Alert! by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Interesting
    homebrewed software that allows XMPCR users to automatically record and tag each song.

    I always assumed this was why DJ's talked over the intro to tunes, to mess up anyone recording, lord knows they could save their breath because who cares what DJ's have to say when your tune starts to play (you actually want them to shut the fsck up!)

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. No bids? by DJ-Dodger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Can you really call it "going for almost $400" if nobody has actually bid on the item? Sounds more like "profiteers are trying get ridiculous prices like $400"

  3. What the heck by FiReaNGeL · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't get what the fuss is all about... So, it let you download songs? Who's in it's right mind is gonna pay 400$ for a crappy radio that let me download songs? Hello? P2P? If you want to get (illegally) free songs, at least do it for FREE? :)

    --
    Eureka Science News - automatically updated
  4. I see a business opportunity by gooman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This could be an opportunity for sirius to get into the game and become actual competition. Sometimes its amazing how a niche product can create a halo over an entire product line.

    --
    "Kittens give Morbo gas!"
  5. Already on Hatch's Hit List by The+Importance+of · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It looks like they pulled the hardware because of the presumed potential for piracy and they might not have had any legal remedies against. However, if the INDUCE Act had been in force, there would have been a law they could have used to outlaw the software. See, Hatch's Hit List #30 - XM Radio to MP3.

  6. Re:XM Module by Triumph+The+Insult+C · · Score: 5, Interesting

    i agree

    i had xm in my car through my pioneer deck and an addon xm receiver. i loved it so much, i couldn't wait to get something for my home computer (i've got a car pc here too, by chance). i could have bought some component, but the xmpcr was small, cheap, and worked

    plus, it is a very hacker friendly device. xm chose a well-supported by oss usb/serial adapter. they didn't have to. maybe they chose it by price ... either way, they chose one that's well supported. there are now plenty of apps out there available to do lots of cool stuff. they even promoted some of the bigger ones (a mac player, etc). some people even modded theirs to get digital output. being able to do that is just damn cool

    i now hope they don't start playing the directtv game and start turning off current xmpcr subscribers. that would make them complete pieces of shit to the second power

    --
    vodka, straight up, thank you!
  7. Nothing to see here by GrimCracker · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The canceling of the PCR is more likely related to the rumored inclusion of a USB port on the soon to be released Skyfi 2. They're not going to shout from the rooftops that they're discontinuing it any more than they advertised the demise of the Roady in favor of the Roady 2. There is no conspiracy here.