Monday, June 21, 2010

Sirius XM Radio Asks Apple - What About Us???

Sirius XM is not happy about Apple's new relationship with HD Radio. Apple has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering the use of iBiquity's HD Radio technology. It appears that the next step could be iPods and iPhones with HD tuners. While large companies often patent apps that never make it to market, odds are that this one is for real - full HD service in Apple devices. HD is already a staple in Microsoft's Zune HD but Zune hasn't made much of a dent in the device race. Apple Nano already offers an FM tuner which exposes new music and tags songs for future purchase on iTunes (promotion in motion)...

Sirius XM does have apps that are available for Apple devices and the SkyDock, but apparently a full blown relationship with Apple isn't about to happen any time soon. It's time for Mr. Karmazin to turn on his 'charm' with Steve Jobs...
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) should make the installation of radio chips in every mobile device their number one priority. For radio, especially terrestrial radio, to survive, it must be portable. When transistor radios became popular in the 50's, one of the strongest selling points for radio was its portability ('Take us along, we're portable'). It's just as true today as it was then...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1893] Debuted on this date: The 1st Ferris Wheel premieres at the Chicago Columbian Exposition...
2.1963] There he went: 20-year old Florida A&M freshman Bob Hayes earns the title of "World's Fastest Human" by shattering the 100-yard dash record in 9.10 seconds flat at the AAU championships in St. Louis. "Bullet Bob" will star as a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys...
3.1964] Disappearance & then death: Three civil rights workers disappear in Philadelphia, Miss. Six weeks later their bodies are found. 41 years to the day after the crime, Edgar Ray Killen, an 80-year old former Ku Klux Klansman is found guilty. Killen will serve the rest of his life in prison...
4.1964] Oh no: Future Hall of Fame pitcher and U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Jim Bunning, pitches a perfect game against the Mets at Shea Stadium on Father's Day (6/21). His catcher Gus Triandos becomes the first catcher to catch no-hitters in both leagues, having done it previously in the 50s when he caught Hoyt Wilhelm's no-hitter...
5.1977] Lots of Mazel: Menachem Begin becomes Israel's 6th prime minister...
6.1982] His mind is INSANE!!!: John Hinckley Jr. is found innocent by reason of insanity in the shootings of President Ronald Reagan and 3 others...
7.1985] Summer sleeper: The summer sleeper at the box office is "Cocoon" starring husband and wife team, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy and let's not forget Don Ameche...
8.1989] Not super at all: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that burning the American flag as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment. What were they thinking???
9.2001] 'Happy Trails': Carroll O'Connor dies from a heart attack brought about by diabetes at 76...2001] Legendary blues singer John Lee Hooker, believed to be 83, dies from natural causes at his home in Los Altos (CA)...
10.2004] Busted: Connecticut Gov. John Rowland resigns amid graft allegations and a federal investigation. Rowland serves a term of 10 months in prison before being released...

Music Memories:
1969] Released on this date: "In the Year 2525" - Zager & Evans...1975] "How Sweet It Is" - James Taylor...
1975] #1 on this date: "Love Will Keep Us Together" - the Captain & Tennille... •1975] Live from Wembley: Elton John, the Eagles and the Beach Boys pack the stadium with 72,000 fans...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Prince William (28), Michael (Steven Keaton of "Family Ties") Gross (63) and Meredith (Elyse Keaton) Baxter (63), Brenda Holloway (64), Ray Davies of the Kinks (66), Mariette Hartley (70), Bernie ("Love Boat") Kopell (77) and Jane Russell (89)...

Timeline Countdown: Summer starts today, 13 days until July 4th, 22 days until the MLB All-Star game & 34 days until NFL training camps begin to open...