by Demian Russian
Sirius XM’s (SIRI) full internet content offerings are now available on Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone and iPod Touch, including Howard Stern, via the Pocket Tunes Radio app available on the Apple iTunes Store. In an exclusive interview on Satwaves Radio, Senior Vice President at Normsoft, Dave Jones discussed new updates to the company’s Pocket Tunes Radio app. Normsoft’s app now sports many new incredible features. Users can now record streaming content for later listening. This new time shifting feature allows users to record and listen to their favorite Sirius XM content when it’s convenient for them on their schedule directly through the app. Users can now also browse the internet while they are listening to Sirius XM. This multitasking capability is groundbreaking, as the iPhone is normally restricted to running one app at a time.
While the Pocket Tunes Radio app supports streaming of a wide array of free online radio content, the app seems to be driving much interest in Sirius XM. Normsoft’s Dave Jones explained, “We include the listings for all the channels of Sirius and XM right in our application, so anyone that buys our app, whether they are a subscriber or not, will see all the stations. There are some very popular shows on Sirius XM, so people will want to use them, but then they find out they need a subscription — we’ve definitely seen people purchase subscriptions because of this.” When Sirius XM offers new content offerings, Normsoft’s app is quick to respond. Mr Jones added, “Pocket Tunes checks the catalogue everyday the first time you open it. We can do virtually instantaneous updates and push them out to our customers so that they have access to them.”
With other cell phones, such as the Palm Pre and the Android, still lacking a Sirius XM app, Mr. Jones was asked when we might see a Sirius XM streaming app available for those platforms as well. Mr. Jones responded: “It’s a very interesting time to be a developer in the mobility world, because there is a lot of stuff going on right now. We’re definitely keeping an eye on all the platforms.” When asked about the Android platform in particular, Mr. Jones said, “We have a policy of not saying what our specific plans are, but we’re always open to other operating systems. Android is definitely something that is on our radar and we are tracking, I can’t say much more than that.” The full interview can be heard below.
Position: Long SIRI, no position AAPL.
Contact the Author: DemianRussian@Satwaves.com
Hey thats odd, Ed Liston posted an article identical to yours…… AFTER YOURS WAS UP FIRST!!!!! – Let me be clear: ED LISTON POSTED AFTER YOU!!! AND DID NOT GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINAL WRITER!!!
Good article: Demian Russian
Great work on the article Demian!! Gotta love an app that works like this: ” When Sirius XM offers new content offerings, Normsoft’s app is quick to respond. Mr Jones added, “Pocket Tunes checks the catalogue everyday the first time you open it. We can do virtually instantaneous updates and push them out to our customers so that they have access to them.”
Hey demian,
Hate to pour a cold bucket of water on your story. App is great , but it has been available for many months and it is worthless to siri as a marketing/promtional tool. The is not an official siri product , and SIRI cannot advertise that HS is available on their web apps. Long suffering long , more than three years running, not looking to bash. SIRI needs to re-sign HS and negotiate the right to air his content on officially issued Siri/XM web apps.
Rob: Sirius XM cannot advertise Sterns availability. This is true. But do they NEED to? Even to this day, one of the biggest internet searches out there is HOWARD STERN IPHONE. Put out a couple of articles on the fact that Stern IS available on the iPhone, and it will get indexed by google and the news will be out. Sirius XM may not get any direct revenue from the app, but people still have to pay the Streaming costs. That is either a new sub or an add on, either way it adds money into the pockets of Sirius XM.
I for one have been using Pocket tunes for a while on my iPhone and I LOVE it. Add this to the fact that I can pick it up with the non-premium internet that I locked in with my lifetime sub for free, and it makes it that much better. My only problem is I gave up my iPhone because AT&T sucks. I now have a Droid…
Come on PocketTunes! Come up with the Android Platform version!
Users can now also browse the internet while they are listening to Sirius XM. This multitasking capability is groundbreaking, as the iPhone is normally restricted to running one app at a time.
Another example of SiriusXm’s flexibility and it’s willingness to take advantage of innovation. This company is not resting on it’s past achievements. This company is proactive and is clearly forging ahead.
Hey Newman ,
I hate to nitpick , but HS on the Iphone requires a radio sub + premium internet feed , for most new , non legacy subs. I really love the app , it just annoys the crap out of me that SIRI cannot find a way to officially get HS on the Iphone and book a Letterman appearance to plug the service.
Last night I was watching the Gmen get creamed and saw the Elvis,HS MJ promo on prime time football ,very positive steps with this ad campaign. How great would it have been to see a promo showing the Iphone and have HS available on a web app that SIRI can promote ?
Another thing that drives me nuts is the OEM set-up. Why can’t management figure out a way to build the cost of a radio and modest profit into each and every OEM install , 2 year trials anyone?
Let’s hope the Xmass season is good and brings a little cheer to all of us longs.
Android is pissing me off. Apple is getting all the cool apps for SIRI. If android and blackberry are also key players, why hasn’t apps been released yet? Apple must be paying big bucks to stay exclusive….Great article Demian
It is coming X-SIRI. Sirius can’t afford to ignore the smart phone market. Android now has over 20,000 apps in the market. It has doubled over the last 2 months and some of the engineers are leaving Apple and moving over to Google because of the strict rules with Apple and their app store.
Sirius: “Android is definitely something that is on our radar and we are tracking, I can’t say much more than that.”
Sirius knows (finally) what is hot. The days of goofy antenna headphones and wires everywhere are coming to an end.
It’s about time… Like I said before, the hand held smart phone is the future. Internet, email, documents, pdf files, audio, video gaming, music, HDTV, youtube, and movies are all available now. I quit toting around my laptop while traveling.
Droid.. Does