I'ts July, so I can turn loose a monthly post on IBOC.. Delete it now if it spoils your day. (grin)
On Friday Apple released the long-awaited iPhone, which they tout as "the best iPod ever". Projected sales are 7 million for the remainder of 2007 and 15 million in 2008. The iPhone has significant internet connectivity ability, plus there are rumors that Cisco is working on a way to connect it to corporate networks. That will filter down to better personal connection abilities as well. If we add another 15 million to the iPhone sales for 2009, assuming that V2.0 of the device is as popular, then 37 million iPhones will be out there by the end of that year. Compare 37 million units to the 2 million IBOC radios iBiquity set as a goal by 2010. Far more people will be able to get streaming audio than HD Radio. Yet iBiquity and it's supporters refuse to even consider this. Streaming audio is the way to get digital audio to the listener. Cell phone coverage currently is exceptional. It no doubt exceeds by a significant amount the projected IBOC coverage, even if it's on every station. I will ignore the interference and weak IBOC signals which significantly detract from HD Radio coverage. Even IBOC's best case scenario is worse than the reach of streaming. Streaming has unlimited channels, and better data rates. Other than the monopolistic power and money grab of SoundExchange and their members, there is nothing in the way of streaming audio. Private streams of your own content are easy to set up, and beyond the reach of any rights fees. HD Radio is obsolete right out of the box. It's silly to drive full speed down a dead end street. Craig Healy Providence, RI _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com