XM Radio asking interesting questions [XM + iTunes + iPod = Good Thing?]
Victor Healey
Posted May 28, 2005, 12:32 PM ET by Laurie Duncan
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Audio, iPod Family, iTMS, iTunes, Peripherals
XM Satellite Radio emailed me, one of their "selected XM Subscribers,"
a little survey today. I thought I'd share some of it with you to give
you something to speculate and pontificate about. So here are the
juicy parts:
Suppose that XM Radio were to offer you a service that would allow you
to "lease" downloaded music onto your XM Radio, and create playlists.
WHAT IT IS
Using a new XM Digital Music Player, this service provides effortless
creation of your own music library from both your satellite radio
service and/or an online music download service containing over 1
million songs.
Music can be stored on your XM Digital Music Player, download to your
computer or transferred to your MP3 player, and played for an
unlimited amount of time—as long as you continue your monthly
subscription.
You can create playlists (combining XM content + downloaded tracks),
organize them and play as often as you like.
If you cancel your monthly subscription, the music you stored on XM or
in other locations will no longer be accessible unless you
resubscribe.
HOW IT WORKS
Only works when using the playback mode -- When you hear a song that
you like, simply press the save button to store the song into your
leased memory. No need to worry about when you press the store button…
the song will save from the beginning.
Or search the online music library for specific songs.
Amount of music you can store in your leased memory is dependant upon
the specific XM Digital Music Player you purchase (typically 10 - 30
hours).
They continued...
Assume that you could trade in your old XM receiver for free and get
the new XM Digital Music Recorder. Now also assume that this new
feature would cost an additional $9.95 per month, on top of your
regular monthly fee.
Now assume that this new feature would still cost you an additional
$9.95 per month, on top of your regular monthly fee. But in order to
get the XM Digital Music Recorder, you must purchase it for
approximately $199 (you keep your old receiver)
How likely would you be to purchase this new receiver & sign up for
this additional feature?
My opinion?
XM + iTunes + iPod = Good [ Thing. I'm all for it. Sign me up. Invite
TiVo along too. We'll have a party.
Tying it all to a $9.95 subscription which I have to pay in addition
to the $12.99 I already pay (I actually pay less on a multi-year
pre-paid plan)? Not so good. I'll pay $5.99 tops and I want at least
the option to own my music forever, not just while I'm an XM
subscriber. Charge me $.50 or $.99 per track for the songs I decide I
want to keep after I leave XM behind for whatever reason. Otherwise
I'll just be looking for ways to undermine your DRM (and trust me, it
won't be difficult). And buying a new receiver versus trading in my
current one? I'd have to know more about the receiver to say for sure,
but $199 would be reasonable for a receiver done right.