Sirius XM Updates Android App – Big Win For Consumers
Well, it took some doing, but Sirius XM (NASDAQ:SIRI) has finally updated the Android app to include Satellite radio 2.0 features. Recently I was highly critical of the Sirius XM apps across all platforms, but in particular on Android devices. It seems that the company was listening, and this is a good thing. The new Android update appears to have addressed addressed some lag and loop issues as well as adding the following great new features:
- Start Now – Allows users to go back in time by up to 5 hours to hear previously aired programming on many channels
- TuneStart – Hear songs from the beginning when tuning into a music channel
- Pause – Allows listeners to pause and resume live programming
- Fast Forward & Rewind – Allows users to skip forward and back on most channels
- Show Alerts – Gives users reminders when their favorite shows begin
- Improved reliability and sound – A key issue that was the source of many complaints
- Album Art – A small yet under-appreciated feature that adds to the user experience
- Artist information – Provides information on the artist that users can read.
I have spent the morning exploring the app and can report that as of now the company seems to have addressed all major concerns related to function. Great news! The apps seems to function as users would expect. A virtually seamless experience that now rivals, in functionality and presentation, the offerings of companies like Pandora, slacker, and MOG.
Navigation around the app is intuitive and easy. Channels are accessible via a categories button, a channels button, or a favorites button. The favorites button allows easy access to the channels you listen to most. Simply hold your finger (or thumb) on a channel to add it to your favorites. Users can go a step further and mark favorite shows. Users can customize the app via a settings menu.
The app does still have some room for improvements. Thankfully it appears that improvements at this point would be more cosmetic than anything relating to function. For example:
- There is no real way to know that artist information is available by simply swiping your finger across or tapping the album art. Once users are aware of the function they will certainly use it, but not all customers will be aware. A small detail, but a valid improvement that could be made.
- Channel numbers – Each Sirius XM channel has a name and a number. The names of all channels appear, but not the number. Another small detail that would help if the company were to add a direct input function.
- No Direct Input Function – This may seem small, but if you like listening to Sirius Hits 1 as well as Howard Stern, the ability to simply input channel 100 would be helpful, especially while driving.
- Channel Up / Channel Down – Another feature that would be helpful to drivers using the app. Sometimes we all just like to hit an up button or down button to explore channels on the fly while catching audio snippets.
Overall the new Android app is a success. Subscribers no longer have to suffer through function issues, and have a way to navigate and use Sirius XM’s service to its highest level. Congratulations Sirius XM!
This is GREAT news. As an owner of an android phone and an ipod touch, it was very frustrating having to use my Android with its legacy app when on the go and at the gym. Now, I can workout with much better functionality from my siriusxm. I havent tested the reliability as far as the signal when using 3g/4g, I hope this has improved.
Spencer, as you pointed out the Start Now feature allows access to previous programming on many channels. “Many” being the key word here. Someone on another board recently noted that many of the news/talk channels that previously allowed the Start Now feature have, within the last few weeks, lost that capability due to licensing agreements. Sirius XM Patriot is one example. I was already so used to having that feature on that channel and now it has been removed. My question is, shouldn’t Sirius XM have known about potential licensing issues on those channels before they enabled the Start Now feature? And what’s it going to take ($$$) to get those licensing agreements amended to get the Start Now feature back for those channels. It also makes me wonder how capable the true on-demand features are going to be eventually. If some of these content agreements don’t currently allow for Sirius’s Start Now rewind feature, I can’t imagine they would allow for full on-demand access.
Spencer- You’re not seriously taking credit for the app upgrades, are you?
osprey….
The app did need updating, and I was perhaps the ONLY satellite radio website that took the company to task about it.
Do I get credit…..NOPE….not looking for it either. But I will tell you that I received several emails from people at Sirius XM letting me know that the update happened, and asking what I thought.
Spencer- As much as I’d like to believe you, your storied past leads me to believe otherwise. Mel has devoted nearly a half century to the radio industry and more importantly to being a successful CEO. (making money) Relatively uncharted waters require beta products, consumer studies, financial projections and only then end products. This process takes time. To kid yourself into believing you were the impetus for the ever evolving Siri product seems egocentric and somewhat foolish. By the way, you received the same email as other dedicated sites. No big deal.
Osprey….
The app was going to be updated regardless. The Android app had yet to implement the satellite radio 2.0 platform….DUH!
I was indeed the only site that really took the company to task on the lack of performance on the functions and bugs in the app. Yes, testing takes time, but the amount of time the company was taking was not excusable (in particular for the looping bug).
In short, I am not taking credit for the company updating something that will still continue to be updated. I am taking credit for holding the issue front and center and ensuring that actions get taken sooner rather than later rather that providing excuses for the company (as many fan-boy sites do.
You then go off the deep end by saying this:
“By the way, you received the same email as other dedicated sites. No big deal.”
1. You have NO IDEA what emails I receive, but clearly must work in concert with other dedicated sites.
2. I received PERSONALIZED EMAILS from within the company, asking SPECIFIC QUESTIONS relating directly to my previous commentary on the subject. I can assure you that other sites did not get the same emails. In addition I did receive the typical emails that other sites would have received.
Perhaps you should stop making assumptions.
Company officials read my site on a daily basis.
Spencer- Ego and pride slowly eat away at a person’s sole. Unless checked, all one is left with is ego and pride. Rein it in a bit.
Oops! I didn’t mean ego and pride eats away at the soles of your shoes, I meant soul. I beg your forgiveness. See how easy it is to admit making a mistake, Spencer?
Osprey…..
My ego and pride have little to do with anything here.
What am I proud of? I am proud of the fact that I do not let my love for Sirius XM get in the way of being critical of the company when they deserve it. With regard to the apps, they deserved that criticism. Am I proud that they do read this site and oft respond to what I write? Not really. It is what it is. Over the course of many years I have built a good report with the company. I like and appreciate that, but it is not a source of Pride to me. I fully recognize that they needed to update the app and would do so regardless. I also recognize that because of this site I have a voice with the company that many individuals do not. That is not a prideful statement, but rather a statement of fact. There is a reason that I received several personal emails (in addition to the “typical” ones your buddies received)in regard to the app. and what they did for fixes. It was because I took them to task earlier in the year and they wanted to ensure that I was aware of the upgrades.
I am proud of what SiriusBuzz has become. It went from a virtual miniature website to the most widely read and linked to site in the satellite radio space. Proud about that, but not to the point of gushing.
Unfortunately you are likely quite jaded by an individual or two that carry an ongoing obsession with me and spend untold hours of their days discussing me with many things that are simply untrue. Ever consider why they see the need to discuss what I am doing rather than simply go on about their business? Ever consider why they spend so much time dedicated to continuing the falsehoods they do? Think about it…..People that live in lies need to continue to preach that lie to make it more believable.
Mistakes….we all make them. I make my fair share and perhaps even more than my fair share.
I guess you are right though…..the company does not read this site, they do did not communicate to me the fixes applied to the app, and they do not consider anything that SiriusBuzz does as relevant or having any meaning. In fact, the company does not even know this site exists. They choose to believe those commenters that said that the bad ratings on the app were simply the NAB out to get Sirius XM
Any word on why the android app requires the “contact data” and “sensitive log data” permissions? This is stopping me from updating. Having a hard time envisioning legitimate uses for this.
I’ve had the sirius app for about a year now, liked it for a while until they updated it. All the app does is load and buffer sooooooo anoying so I deleted and terminated my online listening/app service;sorry sirius but there needs to be some serious improvements with the app. Very frustrated.
I have siriusxm on my Ipad and have been unable to use it since mid April. Many phone calls and e-mails have been to no avail. What is going on over there?
I’ve downloaded the app to my Evo 4G but when I open the app it tells me that I need to subscribe to premium online and to visit siriusxm.com/oniphone. Has anyone else experienced this and how do you get around it? Thanks.
The 2.0 software will not run on a 2.1 android phone. Do you know where I can get the previous version. I have tried to work with sirius but they have their noses up and ignore the problem of earlier software that worked great on earlier phones. Google’s market place falsely identified my garminfone as ok for the 2.0 app but no cigar.
Google needs a backup area for presoftware, and an updated area.
Seems strange to me that I can run the full Etrade suite on my phone but I can’t get a radio program on the same machine.