Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Sirius XM app now live at the app store
As expected Sirius has released the free iPhone/iPod touch app so satellite radio fans can listen wherever they go if they have an online subscription. The Sirius XM [App Store] offering is said to include 120 channels. The write up on iTunes does not mention Howard Stern, but says nothing definitive one way or the other. That's a bit ominous.The app also allows you to purchase songs you hear at the iTunes store, and has a favorite channels setting. The app runs on OS 2.2.1 but has been tested on the just released iPhone/touch 3.0.
The channel selection is set up for both Sirius and XM subscribers. Sirius is offering a 7 day free trial for non-subscribers to try the service and see if they like it. This app has been expected for a long time, ever since the iPhone was first announced. A lot has changed in satellite radio since then, and it will be interesting to watch the dynamics of people getting their satellite radio with an Apple product rather than a dedicated satellite receiver.
Happy listening. (Update: Readers are telling us no Howard Stern, no MLB or NFL games. Oh my.)
Thanks to reader John Mackay for the tip.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
wbryanee83 said 1:10AM on 6-18-2009
With all of the iPhone radio apps already out there, I can't imagine many people purchasing a Sirius/XM subscription just to use this app. I guess this is cool for those who already have a Sirius/XM subscription, though.
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Vvelvet Eelvis said 1:32AM on 6-18-2009
it does not have either of sterns channels, mlb play by play, nfl play by play. that equals a big fat FAIL!!
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Casey said 5:25AM on 6-18-2009
You've never been able to stream those online either, they don't have the rights to distribute those broadcasts over the internet. Sirius is only allowed to broadcast over Satellite transmission. MLB.com has the right to MLB internet streams and NFL... well, I don't know, because I just listen on my Sirius -hardware- or watch on TV.
ToroBull said 11:51AM on 6-18-2009
Not true...I stream Howard online everyday...It is a horrible and epic FAIL not to feature Howard 100/101 on this app....
That is the only reason I wanted it!
Casey said 1:32PM on 6-18-2009
Sorry, I should have clarified that I was discussing only the MLB & NFL. I'm aware of streaming Howard online, I do the same every day as well.
djbguitar said 1:20AM on 6-18-2009
No Howard?
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djlexus said 1:20AM on 6-18-2009
Why no Howard Stern it has everything but that. U think that being one of the big draws for sirius they would have it. I wonder if that a mistake.
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steve said 1:30AM on 6-18-2009
FYI, not available in the Canadian store, and only seems to work with USA subscriptions.... coming to Canada soon???
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hoot321 said 1:45AM on 6-18-2009
I can't understand why they decided to not support the Howard channels. This is a horrible decision.
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Unknown said 1:45AM on 6-18-2009
No Howard? They're stoned thinking that Sirius / XM has ANY value without Howard. Thats a joke...
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fishbert said 1:46AM on 6-18-2009
What's the difference between satellite radio and broadcast radio when both come in over your 3G or WiFi connection? Why is Sirius XM something to get all wet about?
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danhhoang27 said 2:12AM on 6-18-2009
No MLB, NFL?! If I want music I go with pandora. Weak.
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Paul Mensah said 2:12AM on 6-18-2009
The fact that this app doesn't run in the background is a total FAIL!!!
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Casey said 5:21AM on 6-18-2009
What music based iPhone app runs in the background, without Jailbreaking? Well, there's "iPod". What else?
Plasmanut said 2:22AM on 6-18-2009
I CANNOT believe that this won't work with my Canadian account. I have been holding on to my subscription for months just waiting for this. I am CANCELLING tomorrow. These guys are getting dumber and dumber by the day. No Stern, no Canadian accounts allowed, and who knows what else we'll find out in these comments tomorrow... Sigh....
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Casey said 5:17AM on 6-18-2009
Sirius Canada is run by a different company altogether. They share the brand name and content and such, but the corporate back is different and they each have their own ability to get their own original content. This is why Sirius Canada & XM Canada are still separate companies and have no intent to merge.
Things may have changed, but that's how I understand it as such.
tom said 10:28AM on 6-18-2009
Get Pocket Tunes then. It cost $9.99 in both the U.S. and Canadian stores and streams all of the channels available online through Sirius.com including both Stern channels. No live sports except Notre Dame football. I've had it over 2 months now and it works great here for me in Toronto. You use its own browser to login on Sirius' page and can save that so you only have to type in the login info that one time. I was going to switch to the Sirius one today, but without the Howard channels, I'm not going to bother.
ShadowGod said 2:26AM on 6-18-2009
Not having the sports is understandable because you can't stream those from the website anyway, but not having Howard, that's ridiculous. Why?
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Mike said 2:26AM on 6-18-2009
Absolutely pointless without stern. Epic fail. I just upgraded to the online service and now I am going to call them and cancel. Lame
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Tom said 2:28AM on 6-18-2009
The lack of howard/nfl/mlb is definitely concerning, however with MLB-at-bat I get all of my MLB radio needs filled through there
What really irks me though is the lack of ipod touch gen 1 support. What gives? It mentions this incompatibility right on the iTunes page, but it seems to support iPhone gen 1. What, can it only play through the tinny external speaker or something? I've waited for this application for a loooong time, so I'm rather disappointed.
That said, this is all relatively moot as UPS should hopefully be delivering my shiny 3GS on Friday, but still!
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