XM Radio Advanced Services Concept
So, how exactly does it work? We mean, really work.
That’s the reaction lots of people have when they read about a new product in a magazine or on-line. (Other reactions include "looks cool", "what a bunch of hype", and "Wow. Hot model.")
So it was great news when Autoblogger Chris found XM Radio in his wanderings at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and got the lowdown on the satellite radio company’s Advance Services Concept (see here for Autoblog’s post on this service).
So how does it really work? Take it away, Chris (pictures and text after the jump)
“Amidst the din of shock jocks Opie & Anthony (pictured above), XM Satellite Radio introduced its Advanced Services Concept, housed in this Lexus LX 470. It features the following "XmXtras":
Combines traditional XM Satellite radio with GPS, real-time traffic, sports, weather, stocks, satellite video and parking.
"Using much of XM's existing architecture, the provider has figured out a way to jam eight channels worth of live audio/video feeds into the mix. That means eight TV channels without a cumbersome large roof-resident dish as with the huge RaySat setup (albeit far fewer channels). Also has on-demand programming.
Working with parking data supplier NuMetrics, XM's real-time data as to what spots are available where on your GPS map.
"Basically, it can tell you there are twenty spots available at CostCo before you arrive, and give you the phone number and address to the place as well.
Advanced voice recognition program (XM partnered with a company called VoiceBox) allows users to speak in 'natural' phrases by cherry-picking key words.
"One can say "What's the weather in Cleveland like today?" and have it read the answer to you. It also stays on-topic.... one can then say "and in Baton Rouge?" without repeating the rest of the phrasing. Also works for sports scores ("How'd the Mets do last night?", stock quotes, etc.) Also works with XM radio: "I'd like to listen to Fred" or "What White Stripes album is this song from?"
Weather ties in with GPS to let you know when you're about to hit bad weather
"It can tell you in advance whether your road is headed for a thunderstorm or icy conditions. Uses technology derived from XM WX Satellite Weather, their aviator meteorology system used in 80% of new private aircraft.
The voice recognition has just been embedded (last week), so it isn't software driven anymore, an important step in getting closer to production. XM Product Marketing Analyst Sven Finnis (seen in the pic giving me a demonstration) says that this system could be seen on production vehicles within a year (he didn't say which ones, but mfgs like Acura already use advanced XM products like their trafffic service).”
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris Kivi 4:23PM (1/07/2006)
I personally like the programming of SIRIUS better than XM. I can listen to Howard Stern, more Rock and Heavy Metal stations, get my News feed, and more NFL games all for the same price as XM. Whatever XM does, SIRIUS will do better and if I really wanted give myself choices, I'd install an Auto PC, get directions from Maos.Google.com, Weather from Weather.com, Stock reports, email and so on. If I has an Auto PC, I could log into XM or SIRIUS and listen there. I think automakers better let the consumer make the choice about what Satelite Radio host they want, and keep that decision to AFTERMARKET profit opportunities at the dealerships.
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Matt 1:49AM (1/08/2006)
Whatever XM does, Sirius can do better, eh? Obviously not in the technology department. I have a MyFi that can pick up live XM programming, and it's been out for almost a year and a half now. Where's the Sirius portable unit? Oh, that's right, they have the S50 - crippled in function by the RIAA, and can't even get live content unless it's docked in your car or at your computer. Want to listen on your home stereo? Be prepared to shell out the extra cash for the home kit. On the other hand, XM has some new units coming out in a few months that should put Sirius to shame. As far as the NFL radio goes, that's useless. I'm home on Sundays. I watch the games on TV. Howard Stern is boring, and has been since at least 1994. On the other hand, I love XM's decades channels, and XM has baseball and the NHL (you know, where they play the games more than one day a week - lots of more content). So basically, unless you're still a Howard Stern fan, XM smokes Sirius in just about every category.
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ThaGierk 9:29PM (1/08/2006)
I agree with Matt, Sirius stinks. The only way Sirius will ever be better than XM is if Clear Channel or even Infinity Broadcasting buys them out. With Mel at the helm it just might happen. Someone has to pay for Stern and it won't be the subscribers. Why buy into Sirius when you can just buy them out and put them on staff.
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Robert 12:02PM (1/10/2006)
What does this sentence mean: "The voice recognition has just been embedded (last week), so it isn't software driven ...?" Unless the speech recognition is performed with a humongous number of logic gates, or some unbelievable analog computer, or a new, not heretofore seen, technology, it's going to be embedded software. Given the complexity of software recognition, anything but software is highly, highly unlikely, and if it were implemented in anything but software, it would probably be the most major technology advance shown in the last ten to twenty years of technology, and worthy of a Nobel prize. It leads me to believe that the analysis is drivel. Nice pictures though.
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karxprt 3:15PM (1/14/2006)
Saw this vehicle at CES and was very impressed. VehicleVoice (http://www.vehiclevoice.com) research shows that many of the features included in this XM concept vehicle are answering consumer needs. Good job. Challenges GM's OnStar?
XM also is expanding strongly in its overall listener-ship.
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Chris Kivi 3:48PM (1/27/2006)
It is interesting how OPINIONS are chewed up around here, but I stand by my remarks. Blah, Blah, here are my points: Fact: Sirius has Stern and more quality Rock stations and NFL, XM does not come close in "Shock and Rock" value. Fact: The portable Sirius unit is smalled than the bulky XM unit. Fact: The people at 2 different BestBuy's said the Sirius portable unit is WAY better than the Delphi XM unit. THE PROBLEM is that XM is moving away from a Standard Satelite radio and adding all these fancy shmancy features, that to be totally frank, appeal to only a few people. They will be forced to raise their prices. When you are in your car, you better pay attention to driving, not fooling with your XM radio, which is what is happening now. "Sirius, it's the purists Satelite radio, nothing else". (That would make a good d tag line). With Ipod Aux inputs in cars, and Sirius, you have all you need in your car for an ultimate music system.
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Chris Kivi 3:58PM (1/27/2006)
"XM also is expanding strongly in its overall listener-ship" - OH REALLY? - How are they doing it? Easy, when you buy a car with XM already installed, and the dealer forces you to dish out 350 buck for the XM unit, you are sort of obligated to subscribe. It doesn't happen all by choice for the XM customer (let's be honest). However, those who consider a car with XM in it, will discover they can have the dealer find one without the XM unit inside. For your information, that $350 XM unit in your GM car ,that's costing you an extra $10 per month on your lease payment). If you really want Sirius, have the dealer locate a car witho XM (or you walk), install Sirius for $100, and you save enough money on the front end by not taking an XM enable car to pay for 8 years of Sirius AND you still get the Sirius unit after you're done. You cannot do that with XM and are literally forced to buy another home/portable receiver.
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