by Demian Russian
Sirius XM (SIRI) is about to rock. Several months ago, when I first wrote about the possibility of Sirius XM turning all of the iPhones and iPod Touches out on the street into full-fledged satellite radios with a simple accessory dock, it was pure speculation. My speculation was based on the technological capabilities of Apple’s (AAPL), then yet to be released, iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.0 update. While researching the OS 3.0 SDK released to developers, it suddenly hit me. I remember the exact moment I connected the dots. I lifted up my head and I remember thinking, “Wait a minute, I think I’m onto something big here — this could be a game changer!”
I can now report that Sirius XM’s game changer is about to rock. Sources familiar with the situation are now confirming that Sirius XM will be unveiling the iPhone/iPod Touch accessory docks that I speculated about three months ago this Wednesday, August 26th. Sirius XM will be hosting a special invitation only media event in New York that day to show off their new products to be available this holiday season. The invitation reads: “View the new lineup of radios and accessories from Sirius XM for the home, office, vehicle and beyond.” Satwaves received a press invitation and will be covering the event live as permitted.
Information is beginning to leak out offering us clues about what else we might expect to see at the event. Just yesterday, XMfan.com reported that the iPhone/iPod Touch accessory docks would be called “SkyDocks” and they provided a picture with that name inscribed on the accessory in the diagram. They are also reporting that Sirius XM will be unveiling a new FM modulation technology that will be replacing the cumbersome SureConnect system. The new FM modulation technology works off of the cars electrical system and will not require an external wire to the vehicle’s antenna as the SureConnect system did. This technology would make the new iPhone/iPod Touch accessory docks virtually plug and play — even in vehicles without iPod integration or an audio-in auxiliary jack. Other possibilities include dock enabled boomboxes and portable accessory kits with antenna headphones.
With over 40 million iPhones and iPod Touches out on the street, there is a huge opportunity for Sirius XM to bring the wonders of satellite radio to the masses. A whole new market will open up for Sirius XM with the release of these accessories. No longer will satellite radio be confined to only the car stereo section. These accessories will be available wherever iPhone and IPod Touch accessories are sold — including the nation’s Apple stores. With the purchase of a simple accessory, all iPhone and iPod Touch owners will have a full-fledged satellite radio receiver capable of receiving Sirius XM’s full satellite line-up — everything, everywhere. During the Satwaves Radio Show last monday, a caller named Fred from Arizona, when faced with the possibility of getting Howard Stern on his iPhone via an accessory dock, exclaimed “That could be a game changer!” I agree.
Position: Long SIRI
Sounds exciting. I just got an iPhone, mainly for Sirius. I bought a rechargable radio with an aux in, just to use as a speaker. I plug in my iPhone and Sirius works just fine, anywhere you get a phone connection. It is about 6′ X 8′ and weighs about one pound. This new stuff seems like a lot simpler. And maybe the full program, not just the Internet version. Very cool, and a big step forward. Is that why we are rushing through the 60’s on SP today? Go wonder dog, you are getting bright!!
I call this VINDICATION….Crammer ,,,,,Ive got 300k+ of your lottery tickets…Oh do you want to buy my bridge in Brooklyn…..For You I’ll give it away for LESS THAN $1.00….you can set up a toll booth BOOOOOOyahh!
It couldn’t have come at a better time! I may be one of the first to pick up my ipod touch and get that dock for my car. Now I can listen to all my music in my library and my Sirius XM!?!?! Sweet! And with Siri hitting almost .70 I can afford the gas I’m burning to drive around!
Love your last sentences. Totally true. Very smart caller. Wish they were all that aware.
Demian,
Good stuff! I hope to hear about some other great equipment as well.
Hey Demian, I think your article influenced what Barron wrote today as possiblities. Serious. Good job man. Very timely placed article. Well done my friend. Well done. Never been more excited about this company.
Demian the visionary! Nice foresight that seems it just may be what the big news will be about next week.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I (WE) COULDN’T BE HAPPIER. Demian, YOU ROCK!!!!!
Sirius(ly)…….
Any word on whether the new hardware will be both Sirius and XM compatible as required by the FCC merger agreement???
So with this skydock you will be able to listen to all channels including howard?
It will be intersting to see how much involvement Apple has in this docking station. Apple likes to make money off everything. It would be great if Sirius-XM doesn’t have to share the profits.
This is gonna burn Stern’s ass. He wouldn’t allow Sirius-XM mobile rights to distribute him with iPhone apps. Now they have a workaround.
Demian,
You do deserve credit for calling this and for helping people like me to not sell when I woke up and saw .055 cents. I can still remember your post “There will be no BK” that kept me in this pig and now it’s redemption day.
On the skydoc, I have some concerns trying to see both sides. I think the game changingness will be in the implementation of the product. 2 things I worry about…
1. Is that pic to scale? If the doc is 8+ inches it might not be practical or could become perceived as a “nerd accessory” as opposed to a cool one like the white ear buds did.
2. How much battery will receiving the sat signal use? If it’s anything like WiFi now, then it will be much less useful IMO. WiFi means you need to be tethered to a wall outlet or you have like 40 mins on a realistic battery level.
That being said, I’m firmly in the this is a GOOD thing camp. Just wondering if it won’t be a good “Buy the rumor, Sell the news conference” play then look for an re-entry point?
I don’t want to sound like “Debbie Downer”, but…
I don’t see a need for this product. They should just force the content holdouts (Stern, MLB, Football) to have their content sold along with the other iPhone content being served in the SiriusXM iPhone app.
People know that quality of sound is p*ss poor via satellite radio, while an iPhone stream could handle full bandwidth available. Sirius could charge ala carte for the channels, and even charge a premium for higher quality sound. The only real problem is the lack of multi-tasking on the iPhone… kinda sucks that apps quit running when you want to do something at the same time.
SiriusXM has a lot going for it, but primarily it has content. And like the old saying goes “Content is King”
From Demian’s post on May 16th
“The new APIs offer “support for applications to communicate with hardware accessories attached to iPhone or iPod Touch” and “apps can now communicate with accessories via the dock connector.” The dock connector “provides a standard electrical interface and the communication protocol for accessories to charge, control and interact with both iPhone and iPod.”
What this means is that every iPhone and iPod Touch out there can be turned into a full-fledged Sirius XM satellite radio with an inexpensive separately purchased car dock, home dock or portable accessory kit. Sirius XM’s full internet and satellite offerings — everything, everywhere. In addition, customers will be able to subscribe and upgrade their Sirius XM service simply with a few touches of their finger. This will bring Sirius XM to the masses. Do the math.”
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This is one of the most amazing predictions I have ever seen in media in the last 20 years. Kudos to Demian. Outstanding call!
Let me know if you think this is a possibility…
Could the skydock be used for in-car data as well? To include not only radio but also NAV Traffic,Travel Link, Backseat TV and Marine Weather? Nothing says this dock is limited to an automobile. How about in the boat, too?
Just curius…