Is it over for HD Radio ?

[PocketRadio]

"MyFM comes to a Sprint phone near you"

"In other words, as a consumer, which do you prefer: 'One size fits all" or "my size fits me'? There is an answer to this question, of course, and regular readers of this blog know what it is."

Reader comments:

"Here it comes, Mark...the wave of the future. And not only is this a challenge to radio's TSL, but in a study we'll be releasing in June, Mobile Pandora also is preferred by a significant portion of 18-34 year old Pandora users over their MP3 players. Why? Pandora provides 'surprise' and 'new music discovery.'"

Dave Van Dyke
Bridge Ratings

http://www.hear2.com/2007/05/myfm_comes_to_a.html#comments

HD Radio will never compete with Mobile Pandora (pandora.com), or Slacker (slacker.com) ! According to Dave Van Dyke, Mobile Pandora will be a challenge to radio's TSL and to iPod/MP3 players. Table-top HD radios not selling, there are serious issues with mobile HD Radio, and there is no way that HD Radio cell phone chipsets will be of interest to cell phone companies after this announcement - what's left ?

 

[scanman1]

Quote: "HD Radio will never compete with Mobile Pandora (pandora.com), or Slacker (slacker.com) !  According to Dave Van dyke, Mobile Pandora will be a challenge to radio's TSL and to iPod/MP3 players. Table-top HD radios not selling, there are serious issues with mobile HD Radio, and there is no way that HD Radio cell phone chipsets will be of interest to cell phone companies after this announcement - what's left ?"

From what I read, subscriptions to streaming audio on cell phones are pretty weak. And, the extra cost for the services (on top of an already high monthly charge for calls) and excessive battery drain (IMO) makes subscribing unattractive. HD radio is free, and free is good! 8) 

 

[Mike Walker]

I don't know ANYONE who subscribes to streaming services on one of these things. EVERYONE I know listens to the radio. For free. Listen as long as you want. And when the aa, or aaa battery dies, THROW IT AWAY AND PUT IN A NEW ONE! Even if you can't find any at the convenience store, you can still get your freakin' phone calls, because you won't have run IT'S battery down.

The one area where technology has really been slow to advance is batteries for portable devices. If only 'Moore's Law' applied to batteries! If battery technology had advanced as quickly as electronics and microchips, we'd be able to charge our mp3 player or pda today, and use it every day until next January, for as long as we wanted!

 

[PocketRadio]

Quote: "HD Radio will never compete with Mobile Pandora (pandora.com), or Slacker (slacker.com) ! According to Dave Van dyke, Mobile Pandora will be a challenge to radio's TSL and to iPod/MP3 players. Table-top HD radios not selling, there are serious issues with mobile HD Radio, and there is no way that HD Radio cell phone chipsets will be of interest to cell phone companies after this announcement - what's left ?"

From what I read, subscriptions to streaming audio on cell phones are pretty weak. And, the extra cost for the services (on top of an already high monthly charge for calls) and excessive battery drain (IMO) makes subscribing unattractive. HD radio is free, and free is good! 8)

This service is only an extra $3/month, battery drain is an issue for all digital devices including HD Radio, and who doesn't have a cell phone ?

 

[scanman1]

Quote: "HD Radio will never compete with Mobile Pandora (pandora.com), or Slacker (slacker.com) ! According to Dave Van dyke, Mobile Pandora will be a challenge to radio's TSL and to iPod/MP3 players. Table-top HD radios not selling, there are serious issues with mobile HD Radio, and there is no way that HD Radio cell phone chipsets will be of interest to cell phone companies after this announcement - what's left ?"

From what I read, subscriptions to streaming audio on cell phones are pretty weak. And, the extra cost for the services (on top of an already high monthly charge for calls) and excessive battery drain (IMO) makes subscribing unattractive. HD radio is free, and free is good! 8)

This service is only an extra $3/month, battery drain is an issue for all digital devices including HD Radio, and who doesn't have a cell phone ?

Fair enough. But, my point is that I don't want to drain out my cell phone battery playing music and end up not being able to receive any more calls due to a dead battery (which is WHY I have a phone in the first place). Plus, the reception on the phone can be spotty at times, and the prospect of losing my reception during my favorite song is not worth the $3/month fee. If I'm going to lose reception, I'd rather do it for free (FM analog Walkman or portable HD radio (when they're available)). 8)

 

[jras20]

That would be useless to me in a rural country area, where cell phones reception is VERY spotty! I can get HD reception a lot better than cell phones out there.

 

[PocketRadio]

I don't know ANYONE who subscribes to streaming services on one of these things. EVERYONE I know listens to the radio...

"Many 'Addicted' to Cell Phone Use"

"As overall mobile usage grows, people are getting more and more comfortable with the additional features and Web services their phones have to offer," Bill Schwebel, senior vice president, AOL's wireless division, told TechNewsWorld. The ways in which mobile phones are changing the way we interact with the world will continue to evolve at a rapid pace. According to the AOL-Pew survey, Americans would like to be able to use their phones to:

Use mobile maps: 51 percent
Send text messages: 48 percent
Take pictures: 47 percent
Play games: 34 percent
Send mobile e-mail: 32 percent
Use mobile search: 31 percent
Play music: 25 percent
Record video: 23 percent"

http://tinyurl.com/2grn6o

Watch out !

 

[fritobandito]

I have a Sprint mobile broadband card. It's almost completely useless when you aren't in a huge city. I travel a lot and I've been to many cities with a population of about 250,000 where it operates with dial-up speed on their 1xRTT network.

Frankly, it pisses me off to think Sprint is wasting time and money developing stuff like this when their existing infrastructure is so crappy. It also leads me to wonder about the quality of the new service.

If the new service depends on their EVDO network, don't plan on using it outside of major cities.

 

[PocketRadio]

I have a Sprint mobile broadband card. It's almost completely useless when you aren't in a huge city. I travel a lot and I've been to many cities with a population of about 250,000 where it operates with dial-up speed on their 1xRTT network.

Frankly, it pisses me off to think Sprint is wasting time and money developing stuff like this when their existing infrastructure is so crappy. It also leads me to wonder about the quality of the new service.

If the new service depends on their EVDO network, don't plan on using it outside of major cities.

"Sprint Mobile Broadband Network"

"The nation's largest mobile broadband network. Download speeds of 600 kbps – 1.4 mbps in Rev. A-updated areas. Covering over 204 million people in 220 Major Metropolitan areas."

http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/

Yea, whatever !

 

[fritobandito]

"Sprint Mobile Broadband Network"

"The nation's largest mobile broadband network. Download speeds of 600 kbps – 1.4 mbps in Rev. A-updated areas. Covering over 204 million people in 220 Major Metropolitan areas."

http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/

Yea, whatever !

Do a little research genius instead of simply believing and regurgitating everything you read on the internet.

There is no Sprint EVDO in these little Texas towns:

Abilene
Amarillo
Beaumont/Port Arthur
El Paso
Galveston
Lubbock
Midland/Odessa
Tyler/Longview
San Angelo
Wichita Falls

Similarly, there is no Sprint EVDO in these little Louisiana towns:

Baton Rouge
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Monroe
Shreveport

There is no Sprint EVDO in New Mexico AT ALL. That means these quaint little hamlets are without wireless high speed:

Albuquerque
Santa Fe

If you look at the list of cities they cover, you'll see they list every single suburb of Dallas. That alone is 8 of their 220 "major metropolitan areas." They're doing the same with the suburbs of Houston.

 

[PocketRadio]

"Sprint Mobile Broadband Network"

"The nation's largest mobile broadband network. Download speeds of 600 kbps – 1.4 mbps in Rev. A-updated areas. Covering over 204 million people in 220 Major Metropolitan areas."

http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/

Yea, whatever !

Do a little research genius instead of simply believing and regurgitating everything you read on the internet.

There is no Sprint EVDO in these little Texas towns:

Abilene
Amarillo
Beaumont/Port Arthur
El Paso
Galveston
Lubbock
Midland/Odessa
Tyler/Longview
San Angelo
Wichita Falls

Similarly, there is no Sprint EVDO in these little Louisiana towns:

Baton Rouge
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Monroe
Shreveport

There is no Sprint EVDO in New Mexico AT ALL. That means these quaint little hamlets are without wireless high speed:

Albuquerque
Santa Fe

If you look at the list of cities they cover, you'll see they list every single suburb of Dallas. That alone is 8 of their 220 "major metropolitan areas." They're doing the same with the suburbs of Houston.

"Search for Sprint Power Vision(SM) and Mobile Broadband Network Coverage Areas"

"Be sure to check back here for coverage and expansion updates as we continue to expand the nation's largest mobile broadband network. Please note that EVDO Rev A coverage is inclusive of EVDO Rev 0 coverage, as the network technology is backward compatible."

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/evdoEnterZip.jsp

So, what do you think "genius" - they're not continuing to expand, like every other wireless provider ?

 

[Chuck]

There is no Sprint EVDO in these little Texas towns:

Abilene
Amarillo
Beaumont/Port Arthur
El Paso
Galveston
Lubbock
Midland/Odessa
Tyler/Longview
San Angelo
Wichita Falls

While I don't know about Sprint, my Altell card is working at a little better than 300K in both Tyler and Longview, Texas. It even works at my home about 10 miles from Longview (in the country). I haven't checked the speed, but it is at least enough to receive streaming audio from my radio station. Right now, I'm pretty happy about it. I'm sure that there will be some places where it won't work at all....

 

[fritobandito]

"Search for Sprint Power Vision(SM) and Mobile Broadband Network Coverage Areas"

"Be sure to check back here for coverage and expansion updates as we continue to expand the nation's largest mobile broadband network. Please note that EVDO Rev A coverage is inclusive of EVDO Rev 0 coverage, as the network technology is backward compatible."

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/evdoEnterZip.jsp

So, what do you think "genius" - they're not continuing to expand, like every other wireless provider ?

As so many people have proven before, trying to have a conversation with you is pointless. What I will say for everyone else's benefit is they don't even have EVDO Rev 0 in any of the areas I listed, let alone Rev A. When you take a look at their coverage maps even just outside the major cities and suburbs of major cities where they offer coverage, their EVDO coverage quickly turns to Swiss cheese then none at all.

You simply will not be able to use Sprint's EVDO services driving down the highway after you reach the edge of town.

Coincidentally, I was scouting tower sites for a new FM a few months back. One of the towers being evaluated was a brand new Sprint tower, built within the last 3 months. No EVDO there, just 1xRTT. This tower is right on the interstate in one of the cities I listed above.

I'd be willing to bet Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico aren't the only areas where Sprint's EVDO coverage is severely lacking.

 

[fritobandito]

While I don't know about Sprint, my Altell card is working at a little better than 300K in both Tyler and Longview, Texas. It even works at my home about 10 miles from Longview (in the country). I haven't checked the speed, but it is at least enough to receive streaming audio from my radio station. Right now, I'm pretty happy about it. I'm sure that there will be some places where it won't work at all....

From the speeds you're describing it sounds like Alltel has at least stepped up and put EVDO Rev 0 in the medium sized cities. Wish I could say the same about Sprint. I really do. It's frustrating to pay $59 a month for a service and be relegated to dial-up speed about half the time when I travel.

 

[Chuck]

While I don't know about Sprint, my Altell card is working at a little better than 300K in both Tyler and Longview, Texas. It even works at my home about 10 miles from Longview (in the country). I haven't checked the speed, but it is at least enough to receive streaming audio from my radio station. Right now, I'm pretty happy about it. I'm sure that there will be some places where it won't work at all....

From the speeds you're describing it sounds like Alltel has at least stepped up and put EVDO Rev 0 in the medium sized cities. Wish I could say the same about Sprint. I really do. It's frustrating to pay $59 a month for a service and be relegated to dial-up speed about half the time when I travel.

The log on screen says "EVDO" when I sign on, so I guess that must be the case.

 

[fritobandito]

The log on screen says "EVDO" when I sign on, so I guess that must be the case.

Sprint hides it a bit more cleverly than that. When you log on, it shows you nothing but your connection status. You have to go to another screen to see diagnostics. It reports 1xRTT connections as errors. I have to agree with them, it's an error. When you advertise a nationwide mobile broadband service, it should be just that, a nationwide mobile broadband service.

Personally, I'd cancel and go with another provider if I wasn't locked into a contract with a $200 cancellation penalty (I checked.) It is capable of checking e-mail when I'm outside the major cities, but that's about it. The speed seems slower than dial-up.

 

[Chuck]

Being a naturally curious kind of guy, I logged off of my usual ISP and plugged in my Alltel EDVO USB modem. I went to Toast.net, which has a free speed test. To my amazement, it said I was doing 1483 kbs! There must not be anyone else using the cell site. On a really good day at home, my ISP gives me 900 kbs, but 600 is more normal. I'm totally blown away.

Mind you, I'm sitting at my kitchen counter, inside the house eating a sandwich getting that kind of results. I'm well out in the country, where I never thought I'd actually have a choice of Internet service providers. Suddenly, I have at least two. It sure beats dial up, which around here is 24K at very best.

 

[fritobandito]

Being a naturally curious kind of guy, I logged off of my usual ISP and plugged in my Alltel EDVO USB modem. I went to Toast.net, which has a free speed test. To my amazement, it said I was doing 1483 kbs! There must not be anyone else using the cell site. On a really good day at home, my ISP gives me 900 kbs, but 600 is more normal. I'm totally blown away.

Mind you, I'm sitting at my kitchen counter, inside the house eating a sandwich getting that kind of results. I'm well out in the country, where I never thought I'd actually have a choice of Internet service providers. Suddenly, I have at least two. It sure beats dial up, which around here is 24K at very best.

Wow! Maybe I need to just bite the bullet and cancel Sprint. I wonder where Alltel has coverage?

 

[PocketRadio]

"Search for Sprint Power Vision(SM) and Mobile Broadband Network Coverage Areas"

"Be sure to check back here for coverage and expansion updates as we continue to expand the nation's largest mobile broadband network. Please note that EVDO Rev A coverage is inclusive of EVDO Rev 0 coverage, as the network technology is backward compatible."

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/evdoEnterZip.jsp

So, what do you think "genius" - they're not continuing to expand, like every other wireless provider ?

As so many people have proven before, trying to have a conversation with you is pointless. What I will say for everyone else's benefit is they don't even have EVDO Rev 0 in any of the areas I listed, let alone Rev A. When you take a look at their coverage maps even just outside the major cities and suburbs of major cities where they offer coverage, their EVDO coverage quickly turns to Swiss cheese then none at all.

You simply will not be able to use Sprint's EVDO services driving down the highway after you reach the edge of town.

Coincidentally, I was scouting tower sites for a new FM a few months back. One of the towers being evaluated was a brand new Sprint tower, built within the last 3 months. No EVDO there, just 1xRTT. This tower is right on the interstate in one of the cities I listed above.

I'd be willing to bet Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico aren't the only areas where Sprint's EVDO coverage is severely lacking.

"Get Pandora on your Sprint phone"

"Love Love Love Pandora. I actually became an unofficial promoter and now all my friends, family and co-workers are addicted. This is great... the only thing now is that I dont have Sprint..."

http://lifehacker.com/software/cell-phones/get-pandora-on-your-sprint-phone-262824.php

You should check out all of the comments - looks like Pandora is addictive !

"Slacker Shakes Up Digital Music"

"A new player on the scene is poised to revolutionize how we listen to music. Upstart company Slacker, maker of the self-titled digital audio player, seeks to claim a section of the music market by giving users unprecedented control and access to a wide range of music genres."

http://www.laptopmag.com/News/Porta...Breakthrough-Digital-Audio-Player-Service.htm

"Slacker: music device and service via web, WiFi, and satellite"

"Slacker will provide a internet radio network that won't just reach you via browser, but will also stream to a Slacker portable by way of WiFi and -- get this -- satellite service"

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/slacker-music-device-and-service-via-internet-satellite/

Sprint/Pandora isn't the only music media that is going to kill HD Radio, but there is also Slacker !

 

[Chuck]

Wow! Maybe I need to just bite the bullet and cancel Sprint. I wonder where Alltel has coverage?

Right after I signed up with Alltel, our local 10 PM TV newscast had a story that they were considering a buy out offer. I don't know who it is, but if their buyer has "Venture Capital" in the name, all bets are off. That seems to be a common problem these days.