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Stream Howard Stern to Your iPhone [Update: Stern Now on Sirius XM App]

Posted by Brad Hilderbrand on December 23rd, 2010

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Update 12/23: Looks like Howard Stern has popped up early on the Sirius XM app.

We were expecting to see Howard Stern show up on the app when his new contract goes live on January 1. But there he is, live with both of his channels, Howard 100 and 101.

So even though the Howard Stern show is on holiday break, running repeats and specials, you can tune in now and listen while on the go on your iPhone or iPod touch. I wonder if we'll ever see a Sirius iPad app? Or maybe a dedicated Howard Stern app? There's certainly a market for it.

Sirius XM has just negotiated a new deal with Howard Stern that will keep the controversial shock jock on satellite radio through at least 2015. Among the provisions of the deal is a clause which will allow Stern to stream his show online and to mobile devices, including the iPhone. Sounds like your morning commute may have just gotten a lot raunchier.

When Stern signed his initial contract with Sirius in 2004, his show was truly exclusive and forbidden to be streaming to any terrestrial radio station, website or mobile device. That meant that even folks who downloaded the Sirius XM app and subscribed to the service couldn't listen to Stern's show because of the clauses in his contract. Now that restriction is being lifted and the host is clear to stream his show to a mobile audience.

What is unclear at this point is how soon Stern's show will be made available to Sirius XM mobile listeners, as his current deal doesn't technically expire until December 31. While the satellite radio service very well could make Stern's show immediately available, it would also make sense to wait out the holiday season and launch the show alongside the new year. Either way we'll have to wait and see.

An interesting consequence of this decision is that it in some way undermines Sirius XM's own portable receivers, which previously did carry Stern's show along with all other available channels. Now that Stern will be streaming to the iPhone, there's very little incentive for consumers to pick up another receiver. Of course, Sirius XM still manages to keep the subscription fees either way, so it may not be too big a blow after all. In any event subscribers should be pleased, as now they have yet another way to enjoy their favorite foul-mouthed radio host and all his decidedly not politically correct antics.

[via Electronista]

Sonos S5 Review

By Jeff Scott on June 2nd, 2010

The Sonos S5 is the perfect non-dock iPhone based music player. While it's not cheap, it's on par with iPhone docks with similar sound quality but frees you from tethering your iDevice.

Read The Full Review »

Sirius XM App Tunes Into the App Store

Posted by Jeff Scott on June 18th, 2009

Sirius/XM satellite radio first announced their iPhone application in the first quarter of this year during their earnings call. Since then we've gotten nothing but static. After multiple contacts with the Sirius/XM PR department all we could get from them was that yes, an app was under development, but no we can't tell you more. Well, look what popped into the App Store tonight.

The Sirius XM Premium Online as the app is titled allows premium streaming subscribers (an extra $2.99/month for most subscribers) to listen to 120 different channels at up to a 128kbps.

The channel line up includes mainly music stations, but also includes some sports stations, comedy stations, and various news and talk stations. For a full list of channels, see the online channel lineup. There is tiny, light colored text, at the bottom of one of the pages that notes:

Some select programming, including MLB® Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, SIRIUS NASCAR® Radio, and Howard Stern, will not be available on the iPhone and iPod touch. Listeners will continue to be able to access that programming through the platforms they are currently offered on.

Why in the world they would offer that on the streaming on the desktop but not on the phone is beyond reason. Possibly contractual reasons, but still, silly.

Works over 3G

Interestingly, the Sirius XM app works over 3G. We've seen multiple instances of AT&T or Apple blocking apps the stream audio or video from doing so over the 3G network and restricting them to using Wifi only. This app was approved, perhaps because it's a subscription model and is expected to have fewer users than other streaming apps. You can never tell what's in the minds of the people that approve or reject apps.

Why Sirius/XM Over Free Apps

You might wonder why you would use this over Pandora (App Info) or Slacker (App Info)?. I have been a Sirius subscriber for a few years now, and I actually prefer radio stations with DJs. Even though I'm sure it's all pre-recorded, it still makes it a little more interesting. I also like to think that maybe there are actual people picking the next song and it's not just some computer picking the next song it thinks I might like. It's a preference.

If you are a Sirius or XM subscriber, I'd say pick it up. Never know when you might want to listen on the go. If you aren't a subscriber, you can always grab a free 7-day trial to see if you like it.

The Sirius XM Premium Online is available in the App Store now. [iTunes Link]

Hit the jump for more screen shots of the Sirius XM app.

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