How much do you know about satellite radio?

Question

Thinking of buying sat radio for long driving...

1) do you think it would be wiser to buy a subscription for satellite internet and just listen to internet radio from a laptop? is it the same thing? is it more expensive? can sat radio be hooked up to a laptop on its own?

2) are there any gadgets out there that will give you all the sat services in 1..(ie... sat radio, sat internet, gps etc...) in any combination thereof...

3) do you think that sat radio will be obsolete in the near future and if so what would be the replacement if any

Answer 1

I use to have Satellite XM  I don't any more.  There are a lot of commercials.  I use to drive form LA to Albq.  All on I 40.  To me it was just not worth the 12.00 per month I was paying.  FM is good enough for me.  

Answer 2

I have Sirius and can't  live without it.  I use it in the car and on the internet at home.  The music channels have no commercials.  The synidicated or "regular" radio shows that sirius carries has the same commercials you would hear on regular radio.  Sirius talk shows like Howard have some commercials, but he will go well over an hour before a commercial.  I think it is well worth it, especially for long drives.  I frequently drive from Southern to Northern California (6-8 hours) without interruption to my service.

Answer 3

I have sat radio for the sports and talk. If you are going to just listen to music I wouldn't recommend it. Load up an ipod with music you like and save your money.

Answer 4

1- No it's not the same.. Also Satellite internet requires to be focused on one satellite at all times, and as far as I know, NO satellite based mobile dishes exist currently (you have to be stationary to use) as well as the cost of $60/ month basic is way over XM/Sirius combined .. yes you are limited in choices but basically outside wi-fi spots you will have no use.

2- Not as far as I know right now

3- Obsolete? Depends upon the providers, but I think Sat radio will be just like cable TV... More choices than local for a little more money.

Until internet buildout for wi-max or small sat based internet, I think sat radio will be the only choice for a few years, and it will guaranteed be around for at least 3 years (that was the guarantee of holding prices among other things for the sirius/xm merger)

But my guess is build out of high speed mobile internet outside the cities is 10 years away.. cellphones on unlimited media plans are already offering sat style feeds of music, but the XM and sirius still beat it due to the sound quality