When satellite radio was created, it was thought to be a service that would primarily be used in automobiles. Because of this, satellite radio providers raced to secure deals with car manufacturers that would put satellite radio in new models. Currently, some auto manufacturers—including Hyundai, General Motors, and Acura—offer XM-ready radios as standard equipment on many of their models; while others—such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz—equip their vehicles with Sirius-ready receivers. However, with the introduction of new technology, music has made its way out of the driver's seat and onto the street, challenging satellite radio providers in a way they never imagined. Apple's iPod, for example, not only provides music buffs with portable access to thousands of songs, personal playlists, and music videos, but it also fits conveniently into the pocket of their favorite pre-ripped jeans. In order to compete, satellite radio providers started out by making satellite radio available in a wider variety of locations. Satellite radio can now be heard on Dish Network; AirTran and JetBlue flights; Sprint cell phones; and DirecTV. Ultimately, though, providers were forced to focus on portability; and now, it's XM's groundbreaking line of portable receivers that's got the competition buzzing. Related Article How to Succeed as a Mobile Notary Public Congratulations! Youâ��ve endured the training and certification that becoming a mobile notary public entails. Now that youâ��re an official mobile notary public, how can you ensure the success of your new business? Many people who start new businesses have the fear of failing in the industry, but b .... Traditional Ozark Mountain string music is alive and well ''Play me some mountain music Like Grandma and Grandpa used to play Play some back-home, come-on music that comes from the heart. Play something with lots of feelin, cause that's where music has to start.'' .... International festivals are a melange of music, musicians, mirth and milieus ''The magic of playing in Alba, Italy, is that you hear Mozart and Beethoven the way their symphonies were performed 200 years ago. They were designed to be played in churches like these, to use their natural acoustics.'' So said Jeff Silberschlag, music director of St. Mary's College in Maryland. .... Until now, most receivers offered by satellite radio providers have transmitted live radio while docked, but have only been able to play stored memory when taken off the docking station. In addition, the few that did have internal antennas did not have the capacity to store anything other than satellite content. In other words, MP3 fanatics wouldn't go near them. Sirius' S50 and XM's Delphi MyFi are examples of the first-generation receivers. While they both feature full-color displays and impressive memory capabilities, they each fall short in one area or another. The S50, though it is able to store MP3s, can't receive live radio without a docking station; and the Delphi MyFi, though capable of live reception, isn't built to handle downloadable files. However, at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, XM revealed its next generation of satellite receivers. Combining the ability to enjoy commercial-free channels with the capacity to store and play MP3s, these innovative combo-creations promise to be quite the crowd-pleasers. XM's new portables offer some much-needed spontaneity in an otherwise customized world; and for iPod addicts drowning in a playlist of emo MP3s, that should be some very good news. "XM's on-air hosts play the richest, deepest variety of music ever heard on the radio," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio, in a Jan. 4 press release. "When you combine live XM Radio with a portable MP3 player that lets you buy songs you hear on XM from Napster, you have a 360-degree music experience. Consumers and critics alike have been clamoring for a portable player that plays live satellite radio and MP3s. And now, the wait is over." One such player that XM is particularly proud of is the Samsung Helix, scheduled to be released to the public in the first quarter of 2006. The Helix XM2go player weighs only 4.5 ounces, measures 3.7 inches high, 2.2 inches wide, and 0.6 inches deep. Small and light enough to go anywhere, the Helix is equipped for live satellite radio reception and MP3 storage. "For the first time ever, you can listen to live satellite radio and play MP3s on a single, wearable device," Panero said. "XM's partnership with Samsung will deliver a portfolio of portable audio products that will fundamentally change the way people listen to music. You can play all of your favorite songs in your MP3 collection; and you can listen to live XM Satellite Radio, which introduces you to new artists and old favorites from all kinds of music genres, plus live sports, breaking news, stand-up comedy, and much, much more." XM's Pioneer Inno XM2go player, also set to be released soon, took home the Best of CES 2006 People's Voice Award at the Consumer Electronics Show. Utilizing a revolutionary internal antenna, the Pioneer Inno gives owners the ability to create playlists by combining their MP3 collection with XM satellite songs. The Inno player includes a feature for the indecisive that makes it possible to capture a complete song even if the listener starts storing it in the middle. With a wireless FM transmitter built in, the Inno can also shoot an XM signal to any FM radio. In addition, both of the receivers offer owners the ability to further expand their music collections by flagging XM songs they like and purchasing them online through Napster. XM radio service plans, which must be purchased in addition to the receiver, start at $12.95 a month. However, multi-year service plans go for even less. In turn, XM provides listeners with more than 160 channels of music, news, sports, talk, traffic, and weather. In order to truly contend in a marketplace of portability, satellite radio providers need to deliver a receiver with both the ability to clearly transmit live radio and the capacity to store MP3 playlists. With the unveiling of the Inno and Helix, XM did just that, presenting listeners with the very best of both worlds. Another recent XM creation worth noting is the XM Passport. Big convenience in a small chip, the Passport makes it easy for those without portable receivers to move their satellite radios from the car to the house and back again. The chip eliminates the process of transporting XM car and home receivers back and forth and also does away with numerous XM subscriptions for those who were too lazy to transport it in the first place. Set to hit the market soon, the Passport will undoubtedly save XM listeners both time and money. "The XM Passport is a tiny little tuner that is going to make a big impact on satellite radio," said Dan Murphy, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Distribution, in a Jan. 4 press release. "Millions of home, car, and portable products will use the XM Passport as the gateway to XM Satellite Radio. It's a passport to the whole world of music, sports, talk, and entertainment choices available on XM. This is a major breakthrough for XM in terms of offering customers portability, affordability, and convenience."

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