XM to Launch Satellite Radio Handheld?

g00set writes "Reuters is reporting 'XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc next week is expected to unveil a "wearable" device, marking the satellite radio industry leader's latest effort to woo audiences to the nascent format, analysts said.' In adddition, 'A radio industry executive said the device was believed to be a satellite-radio receiver with headphones that also had a hard drive enabling users to download XM content.'" There have been other rumors of this as well.

Comments

Sign me up

[erick99]

I have XM radio right now and I would sign up for a portable receiver to augment the "fixed" one sitting on my nightstand. I am curious though, if I lean over the antenna I can lose the signal, where is this antenna going to be put on your body to maintain a good skyward orientation?

Re:Sign me up

[cbelt3]

XM Antennas look good on top of a propellor beanie or tinfoil hat. Sort of a shark fin thingy. Couple that with a GPS receiver, RFID implant, and your basic mind control implant that goes along with it, and you have an army of geeks at your beck and call.

As an FM guy and XM subscriber...

[SamMichaels]

I have to say that the quality of XM's audio has significantly decreased since I got the service in 2002. It resembles a poorly encoded 96k MP3 now. It could be that they have too many channels and they had to drop the bandwidth...but it sounds AWFUL. FM stations in the area have more highs, not to mention actual audio processing (the stuff that gives it that "radio sound").

If bandwidth is becoming a problem with all these channels, change the technology. Put an MP3Pro-like encoder on it...newer units sound crystal clear again and older units sound the same.

I'd sure like to hear the technical explanation from XM as to why the audio has sucked over the last few months.

Re:As an FM guy and XM subscriber...

[SirDaShadow]

Actually, after a few minutes of googling, I stand corrected. XM uses AAC with SBR at 64kbps. The "SBR" part is what makes it "mp3pro-like".

Re:As an FM guy and XM subscriber...

[DAldredge]

You do know this is a one way service and the bandwidth issue comes from the adding of channels, not the adding of subscribers. Don't you?

here are some pictures!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=3164

This does not look dorky, there really doesn't appear to be room for a harddrive (ignorant industry exec!), the antenna is integrated in the headphones, and it's actually just an accessory for the Roady2 XM receiver.

*yawn*

[Misch]

Sirius already has a handheld unit, the XACT receiver.

How small?
This small.

Re:*yawn*

[Misch]

There's no reason to be such an ass when pointing out an error.

There is a handheld power unit that goes with it.

It looks something like this.

And if I get modded to -1, you're going the same way, as it is not a "farking car module". Troll.

Re:Wearable != handheld.

[Average_Joe_Sixpack]

Just stick antenna in your pants and you'll be a hit with the ladies.

Cool!

[eli173]

A hand-held satellite launcher! Think of what Carmack could do with that!

Huh?

Oh, a hand-held radio satellite's still cool; miniaturization has come a long way.

What?

Oh.

Nevermind.

Re:Wearable != handheld.

[aelbric]

This is not entirely incorrect.

I have logged 40000 miles in my car with XM and have noticed the following:

Bridges: no problem
Parking deks: no problem
Tunnels: problem, but how long do you spend in tunnels

As far as indoors:
Home, Brick(portable device): no problem
Office: Can be iffy if mobile and dead spots can be encountered. But where it works I would not want to be without it.

The service is fantastic I would recommend it to anyone. Small price to pay to get real music choice and almost no commercial interruption.

Re:Why?

[skydude_20]

No, none, zip, zilch commercials, just music (at least with Sirus, they're getting there with XM). And your favorite station is the same station no-matter where you are in the country.