Putting the Sirius into the Zing

[Zardoz]

Even Jokeby can no longer bull----.

http://www.forbes.com/2006/06/02/sirius-satellite-radio-0602markets09.html?partner=yahootix



Market Scan
Sirius' ZING Portable Player A 'Zinger'?
Mary Crane, 06.02.06, 2:52 PM ET

Banc of America analyst Jonathan A. Jacoby said the new live portable media
device from Sirius Satellite Radio, expected this summer, is a positive for
the stock.
Using technology created by ZING, a consumer technology company, Sirius' new
media player will stream live digital programming over the mobile device...

<snip>

[Rich]

The Wall Street Journal reports:

" June 1, 2006, 2:56 pm
Tech Demo: Zing

Details were few, but there was no shortage of buzz surrounding a music
player called Zing unveiled here at D:.

ZingTim Bucher, CEO of Mountain View, Calif.-based Zing, began the
demonstration by describing the Zing as a "virtually integrated
mobile entertainment solution." (Walt Mossberg suggested the more
attractive shorthand of "iPod competitor.")

It's a bit too early to tell whether Zing will be the latest footnote
in the rich history of would-be iPod killers, but some of its features
are undeniably cool. Broadly, Zing leans heavily on wireless
connections to let users access music stored on a networked computer,
or an Internet-based subscription service like Yahoo! Music, or even on
a friend's device that is within range - all through a seamless
interface. Listening to a song on an Internet radio station and want to
buy the CD? The iPod-sized Zing will (in theory) be able to sync up
with an online music store to complete the purchase.

The company has a partnership with Sirius that lets subscribers listen
to satellite radio - the audience was wowed to hear "live"
satellite radio playing over the diminutive device - though the music
is streamed through a wireless Internet connection, not from the
heavens.

Users navigate all the music files and Internet streams available to
them using a scroll wheel ("You are very lucky Steve Jobs isn't
here," commented Kara Swisher) and a glossy, icon-based interface.
Zing is big on social interaction: The device shows you what your
nearby friends are listening to, and lets you exchange voice messages
and music recommendations. (Mr. Bucher was careful to point out that
the device "respects" digital copyrights. Users won't be able to
stream protected files between each other.)

Mr. Bucher says Zing doesn't plan to make its own devices, but rather
license its technology to others. He showed off a device that will be
available from Sirius later this year, that was somewhat larger than
the slick Zing production model (pictured above). "That's too bad,
because [yours is] pretty cool," said an impressed Mr. Mossberg, who
has made no secret about what he considers to be the gold standard in
digital music players.

[CodeMonkey]

Rich wrote:
> The Wall Street Journal reports:
>
> The company has a partnership with Sirius that lets subscribers listen
> to satellite radio - the audience was wowed to hear "live"
> satellite radio playing over the diminutive device - though the music
> is streamed through a wireless Internet connection, not from the
> heavens.
>

So that means it's only "live" satellite when it's near a WiFi
connection? That will be useless anywhere but inside your house, or a
McDonalds...

[Dr. Droo]

CodeMonkey wrote:
> So that means it's only "live" satellite when it's near a WiFi
> connection? That will be useless anywhere but inside your house, or a
> McDonalds...

No.. Sirius's live wearable will be able to get a satellite signal..
This is some other product.

--D

[All My Shrimp Was Dead and Gone]

> So that means it's only "live" satellite when it's near a WiFi
> connection? That will be useless anywhere but inside your house, or a
> McDonalds...

One day, 10 years from now, it may be something. Right now, it is bull----.

Perhaps they're trying to figure out a way to enhance lousy on-the-go
reception. Or maybe they're just trying to make some news as they did a few
years ago with video.