Samsung and XM announce MP3 player/XM radio

[minorthr]

Story is here

Samsung Electronics Partners With XM Satellite Radio to Offer Samsung's First MP3 Players With XM Satellite Radio

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. and WASHINGTON, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of consumer electronics products, today announced a strategic alliance with XM Satellite Radio to introduce its first MP3 players with XM Satellite Radio capability.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/XMSATLOGO )

The relationship entails the production of two miniature flash memory Samsung players that will utilize XM's Connect-and-Play technology. Both players will come with an XM Radio home accessory kit, which allows the device to receive XM's 150-plus radio channels of commercial-free music, plus news, talk and entertainment programming, in the home. Samsung's new players will be available in two storage capacity sizes and are anticipated to be available by year's end.

The alliance will combine the capabilities of downloading digital audio music with XM Satellite Radio's critically-acclaimed line-up of commercial- free music and premier sports, news, and talk radio channels. When the players are connected to a home or car docking station, users will be able to store digital audio content available on XM. The recorded content can be played anywhere, allowing subscribers to enjoy XM programming in places where the XM signal may not be available, such as the subway. In addition, the Samsung players enable the end user to store songs from his or her personal digital music collection, including digital music files (MP3 files and .wma files) purchased from a variety of digital music services.

XM Satellite Radio allows subscribers to discover and rediscover music. Using the Samsung XM/digital audio players, XM subscribers can identify selected songs heard on the XM Satellite Radio service for purchase through a music downloading service. The Samsung players also allow users to create and manage customized playlists, combining both personal digital music files and recorded XM programming.

"Samsung is known for its award-winning line of digital audio players, and we are proud to take the next step with them in the evolution of portable XM Satellite Radio products. Now, consumers can enjoy XM's live programming plus music from their personal digital music collections in one easy-to-use, elegant player," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio.

"Samsung's innovation and quality standards are world renowned and these products represent our latest breakthrough into satellite radio technology," said D.J Oh, President and CEO of SEA. "XM's award-winning programming and technology provide us with a unique opportunity to offer products that empower consumers and fundamentally change the way people listen to music."

 

[Sirius_Rich]

I love satellite radio. The equipement justs keeps getting better and better.


Another PR from this morning:


08:00
DJ XM Satellite Radio Signs Production Pact With Samsung>XMSR
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. (Dow Jones)--XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
(XMSR) confirmed it has reached a strategic alliance with Samsung Corp.
(000830.SE) to produce a new portable device that plays satellite radio
and MP3s.

However, satellite radio provider XM also confirmed a report in
Tuesday's New York Post which said the device isn't fully portable, as
listeners can only hear XM's live radio channels when the device is
placed in a docking station. The paper added that someone on the go can
only play stored content, including recorded XM programming.

In a press release Tuesday, XM explained the partnership entails the
production of two miniature flash memory Samsung players, which will
come with an XM Radio home accessory kit.

The companies noted the new Samsung players will be available in two
storage capacity sizes and are anticipated to be available by the end
of the year. Company Web sites: http://www.xmradio.com

 

[minorthr]

Yeah thats the one downfall of this unit is the not being completely portable like the myfi. However unlike the Myfi it can record in the Car cradle as well. So it kind of seems like one step forward two steps back. There is talk of a completely portable xm/mp3 unit coming around the holiday season.

 

[minorthr]

There is also this part fo the deal I hadnt seen mentioned yet from the washington post

XM, Samsung and Napster Form Download Alliance

By Annys Shin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 27, 2005; Page D05

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. said yesterday that they will introduce a satellite radio receiver and digital music player that will let XM subscribers buy and download songs through an exclusive arrangement with online music store Napster.

The new device, which could go on sale this fall, is XM's first attempt to integrate its subscription radio service with the fast-growing market for portable MP3 players.


"Napster is excited to work with XM to create a cutting-edge product that merges the best of online and satellite music into one great, integrated experience," said Chris Gorog, Napster's chief executive, in a press release. The new service, called "XM+Napster," will be "nirvana for passionate music fans," Gorog said.

The deals with Samsung and Napster are part of a larger strategy to "enhance the ability to listen to XM in different environments," XM chief executive Hugh Panero said in an interview.

XM's more than 4.4 million subscribers pay $12.95 a month to receive more than 150 channels of news, entertainment, sports and music. XM also works with electronics manufacturers to develop receivers for automobiles and home stereo systems. Last year, Delphi Corp. introduced the first personal satellite radio receiver called the Delphi MyFi. The device XM is developing with Samsung will allow consumers to listen to live XM content when the device is plugged in to an XM-ready car stereo or to a home antenna. Consumers can mark songs they hear for purchase. When they return it to a docking station connected to a computer, the device will download the music from the XM+Napster service. Consumers also will be able to record live XM content, but they will not be able to transfer those songs to other devices or burn them onto compact discs. Currently, consumers can buy satellite radio receivers that also play content in the MP3 format, but don't offer the ability to download. Or they can buy satellite radio receivers that can record what they hear on XM but that can't be transferred to another device.

XM officials said they do not yet have detailed pricing for the device or for music purchased through the XM+Napster service.

Sean P. Butson, an analyst with Legg Mason Inc., called XM's deal with Samsung "groundbreaking," in a research note he published yesterday. Citing the fact that Samsung is also a leading manufacturer of cell phones, Butson said the deal "looks like an important first step towards a mobile phone/satellite radio."

When asked if XM and Samsung are working toward mobile phones with satellite radio receivers, Panero said, "We're looking forward to having the relationship evolve into other devices."

Financial terms of the agreement with Samsung and with Napster were not disclosed.