Let The Music Play

Today Apple launched an updated line of iPods.  Of interest is that NBC is back on iTunes and will offer its shows in full HD for $3.99. I find it wild that people will pay that much to watch television on their iPods.

I think it a shame that Dish Networks Pocket Dish never really took off.  PocketDish uses certain model Archos portable media players and allow Dish Network customer to download video content from their Dish Network DVR’s.  With this method Dish Network customers can watch their favorite shows anywhere all with no fee per show. When I see people paying up to $4 to download episodes of television shows it surprises me that the PocketDish idea never really caught on.  Follow the money trail I guess.

I have been playing with two new pieces of software today which I have been impressed with one of them is the new iTunes 8 from Apple. The new iTunes released today has a new feature called Genius, what Genius does is amazing.  Genius scans all your music (first scan takes awhile) after its done you can click on any artist and press the Genius button is iTunes will build a playlist of songs that go great with the artist you selected.  It works really well and was surprised how matched the music selections were.  Another great thing about iTunes 8 is the new Visualization Mode.  It’s  hard to explain why it’s so great, but trust me you would be impressed if you saw it and you can try it today.  ITunes 8 is now available for free from Apple.COM

Another piece of software I have been playing with today (and this one is satellite related) is StarPlayr for Windows.  StarPlayr is a music player which lets you tune into both Sirius and XM satellite radio on your computer.  It is the first program which lets you access both satellite radio companies internet feeds in one program.  But StarPlayr goes beyond just being a tuner, it also monitors what is playing and shows you artwork of the artist you are listening to and with one click can show you the lyrics for the song you are listening to.  In addition if you hear a song you like with one click you can buy that song from iTunes or Amazon.COM.  I like the fact that you can access both satellite radio services from one great interface.  The software is beta but runs very well.  StarPlayr is a free download and can be downloads from StarPlayr.COM.

Speaking of Sirius and XM

Sirius XM Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin spoke today at the Merrill Lynch Media Confrence and during his presentation announced two best of packages which will be available to Sirius and XM customers starting on October 6th for an additional $4 a month.

XM Customers will be able to subscribe to the “Best of Sirius” package which will include the following Sirius Channels (which will be receivable on XM receivers):

•    Howard Stern (Howard 100 and Howard 101)
•    Martha Steward Living Radio
•    Sirius NFL Radio
•    Sirius NASCAR Radio
•    Playboy Radio

For Sirius subscribers they can subscribe to “The Best of XM on Sirius” package which includes the following channels:

•    Oprah & Friends
•    NHL Home Ice
•    The Virus (with Opie & Anthony / Ron & Fez Show)
•    Public Radio (Featuring Bob Edwards)
•    The PGA Tour Network

According to the Satellite Radio blog Orbitcast.COM NHL, NASCAR and NFL play by play will also be included in the packages.

Charlie Chat News

I promised you yesterday that I would give you any news from last night Charlie Chat hosted by Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen so here it is.  The only real news to come out of the chat was that Charlie expects the new TR-50 Digital Off Air Converter / DVR is expected to be release in November at a cost of $299. (BTW I am hearing a rumor that the TR-50 will be called the DTVPal DVR when it is released to the public.)

During the chat they were flashing channel logos of HDchannels that are available with Dish Networks TurboDish HD service.  Among the logos shown were a handful of VOOM channels which have not been available on Dish Network since May. VOOM fans don’t get excited as there are no plans at this time to bring VOOM back.  I have been told that the logos ran by mistake and I was also told that Dish Network is working to edit the logos out of the show for when the show replays throughout the month.

Other then that there was no other news, so if you didn’t tune in then I just saved you an hour of your time.

We will see you next time with another edition of “The Satellite Dish!”