General News

Google and Verizon, two powerhouses, have outlined a seven point net neutrality proposal that has the Internet buzzing with comments, and if acted upon could well change the way consumers get and access information. One notable aspect of the policy outlined is the differentiation between the Internet and the mobile Internet. It appears that a distinct definition on mobile internet is surfacing. This makes sense because cell companies are the primary conduit for mobile internet, and with limited bandwidth, they run great risks of overload. It is this distinction that has some carriers implementing higher data plan fees and even avoiding offering unlimited plans.

Google and Verizon stated two main goals:

1. Users should choose what content, applications, or devices they use, since openness has been central to the explosive innovation that has made the Internet a transformative medium.

2. America must continue to encourage both investment and innovation to support the underlying broadband infrastructure; it is imperative for our global competitiveness.

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How important are apps on smart phones to the music industry? Apparently important enough that Billboard Music has introduced The Music App Awards, the highlight of the Music App Summit in San Francisco on October 5, 2010. Sirius XM has some apps of their own, and at a minimum their Android app would qualify for at least one award.

Music applications are among the most popular types of apps downloaded on today’s smartphones. But which are the best of the best? Which new music apps created in the last year are setting the stage for tomorrow’s successes? Billboard’s Music App Awards is the first app awards program answering these questions by showcasing and celebrating the best and most innovative new music apps defining the space today.

The Music App Awards serve as the core of Billboard’s Mobile Entertainment Live!: The Music App Summit , Oct. 5 in San Francisco, held in conjunction with CTIA’s Wireless Enterprise & Applications. All applicants will receive discounted admission to the conference. Finalists will be featured in a Billboard article listing the best apps of the year, have the opportunity to demo their app onstage and be given free demo space in the exhibit area. Winners will be chosen by an independent panel of influential industry experts and awarded their prize on-site.

Awards will be given out in the following categories…

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As the day wore on, it became apparent that a much watched unemployment bill in Washington had enough votes to pass the senate. The markets, anticipating this news, have been up all afternoon and Sirius XM participated. Earlier today it was announced that unemployment rolls are down, but the deeper news is that many have exhausted their benefits and are no longer counted as unemployed. With this new legislation, if signed, some 2.5 million who have had their benefits lapse will once again be on the unemployment rolls. Currently the nation has an unemployment rate of 9.5% (excluding those that are no longer receiving benefits). The numbers are indeed staggering. Some have been unemployed for over two years, and have simply decided not to seek employment. The legislation passed by a 60 to 40 vote.

As people debate the health of the economy, there is still the unavoidable fact that a large percentage of the population is unemployed. With the potential return of benefits to many who are unemployed, the gears of the economy might be able to get back on track. There is even discussion that the benefits could be retroactive. This will line the pockets with much needed cash for those who have spent the last months trying to figure out how to buy the groceries.

If nothing else, the pure numbers of people without work is an indication that the economy has a long way to go before an official recovery can be announced. That being said, the restored benefits should at least help people out while the march to recovery trudges along.

Over the years I have had several requests for live chat on SiriusBuzz. Until now, I have avoided such a feature, as it takes time and effort to make such a service come to life, and even if launched, I did not want to have to moderate the chats and have people worry about the latest debate or battle happening between message board posters. I am a writer and the proprietor of a website and as such focus my energy on research and publishing information. Another concern was that many people want to have their anonymity, and are simply uncomfortable giving up their private information, including their I.P. address to a website even if that website has never used such information against people in the past. I fully realize that all sites are not created equal and some come with strings attached in one form or another.

Through Blog Talk Radio, SiriusBuzz users have a chat room that is available not only during the radio shows, but any time. With this service, you can keep your anonymity, chat with fellow investors, and have no worries that what you say in chat will somehow be held against you. The registration is controlled by Blog Talk Radio. Neither I nor anyone at SiriusBuzz will have your registration information or I.P. address. No getting banned because you disagree with an article or opinion. No worries about having to curb your opinion because you think some other site will take offense. This is a place to chat live without fear, peer pressure, or retribution. This is something many have been asking for, and through Blog Talk Radio, you can now have it.

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No matter what nation you are routing for, the FIFA World Cup is an event that brings about national pride, a sense of belonging, and noisy horns. That’s right, noisy horns. These horns have been used at soccer matches for years, but are beginning to become a source of complaint from fans, players, television and radio networks. The horn in question is the vuvuzela, a three-foot-long plastic trumpet capable of creating ear piercing decibels. The horns have been used to create a buzz around the stadium.

When listening to coverage on Sirius XM radio, subscribers can always hear a buzz in the background that sounds like a wave of killer bees, or that nagging mosquito that fly’s around your ear non-stop. Television and radio broadcasts do their best to filter the noise, but, in an effort to keep the atmosphere of the game, can’t completely filter out the noise.

All of this may change as there is consideration to banning or limiting the use of the vuvuzela’s at the games. It is a sensative issue, bit clearly something has to be done. Teams, television networks, radio networks and even some fans dislike the droning sound.

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If you are a charitable organization with the goal of feeding America what is the best way to do it? Television makes sense, but the costs can be quite extensive. Traditional radio is another option, but that would require a lot of coordination with scores of radio stations, and even then they would only reach a limited segment of the population. So what did Feeding America do? They tapped into the best solution for reaching the entire continent….Sirius XM Radio.

Feeding America has a mission of feeding those that are hungry right here on our own shores. Their goal is to feed 670,000 summer meals. Why summer meals? The answer is easy. The most needy among us often qualify for assistance or even free meals for their children at school. Many schools serve two well rounded meals each day (breakfast and lunch). When summer vacation comes, many of those in need find themselves financially strapped to provide enough food.

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Sirius XM satellite radio is the core business of Sirius XM. Out of this world content delivered to consumers via satellite seemed revolutionary when the concept was dreamed up, but here in 2010 there are many ways that consumers get audio content. Some, like AM and FM radio have been around for decades, while others such as Pandora, Slacker, Last FM and Jelli are newer to the audio entertainment field. The discussions about how these various services compete has been and will continue to be an ongoing debate, but what Sirius XM investors want to know is whether Sirius XM’s Internet Radio service can be competitive in the arena of Internet Radio.

The biggest threat to Internet radio did not happen last week with AT&T’s announcement of charging for data, but rather two years ago when new and more expensive royalty rates were announced. It was then, in 2008, that Pandora was seriously threatened with having to close their doors. Owner Tim Westgate announced July 7, 2009 that Pandora had reached agreements with the record labels which would significantly reduce the royalty rate, making it possible for Pandora to stay in business. The company had adapted their business model by limiting listeners to 40 hours per month for free. That 40 hours can be extended to unlimited for that particular month for $0.99. Additionally consumers cam upgrade to Pandora One which offers a higher bit rate (192kbps) and a dedicated music player. The cost of Pandora One is $36 per year.

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People who love satellite radio love to hate the National Association of Broadcasters. Most of the harsh feelings came to fruition during the merger process, and I was among those that was highly critical of the NAB during that period. That being said, the NAB does lobby for some interesting and perhaps noble things, but in the end, they are simply another lobbying group that has an agenda. Right or wrong, the NAB acts to serve the best interests of its membership.

One weak point in the NAB over the past several years was the absence of CBS and Fox. People tend to think of these media power houses by their television brand, but in the case of CBS, there is a substantial radio brand as well. Along with 29 CBS television stations come CBS 130 radio stations that cover all of the major U.S. markets and then some.

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