Best Buy Sells Instruments
Best Buy has announced today that the will begin selling musical instruments and recording equipment in stores nationally and online at www.bestbuy.com. Stores will begin stocking musical instruments soon all the way through December and an expanded lineup will be available August 1, 2008 online.
Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS, July 29, 2008 - Best Buy, the nation’s leading consumer electronics retailer, today announced that it will begin offering musical instruments and musical recording equipment at an additional 75-85 Best Buy stores across the U.S. and online at www.BestBuy.com. The diverse musical instrument and recording line-up will include more than 1,000 guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and recording equipment, as well as other musical instruments and accessories, all available at entry level and professional price points.
“The introduction of musical instruments is a natural progression for Best Buy,” explained Steve Hehir, senior vice president of musical instruments for Best Buy. “Consumers have always looked to us as a resource for music in a variety of formats. Now they’ll be able to rely on us for help with musical performance and creating too.”
Existing as a “store within a store” Best Buy musical instrument locations will feature trained musical instrument specialists. In addition to retail sales, Best Buy musical instrument stores will offer group and individual guitar lessons.
“Whether they’re just learning to play, or have been playing for years, customers can trust the knowledge and expertise of our trained musical instrument specialists,” said Kevin Balon, vice president of musical instruments for Best Buy. “Our musical instrument specialists can help anyone find the perfect instrument.”
Seven Best Buy stores in Southern California and Minneapolis participated in a successful pilot of the musical instruments store-within-a-store concept that launched earlier this year. The program recently expanded to Chicago and Washington D.C., bringing the current musical instrument store count to ten. The rollout to 75-85 Best Buy stores is expected to continue through late December. For consumers who are unable to visit a store location or who prefer shopping online, BestBuy.com will offer an expanded musical instrument assortment beginning August 1.
Wedding Bells for XM and Sirius
For better or worse the FCC has granted marriage license to XM and Sirius dispite an agreement to never become anticompetitive, heavy opposition, and a history of not cooperating with FCC regulation to an extent. Maybe the FCC feels that terrestrial tunes have become a staple in American culture and anything short of partnering the two sat broadcasters means the demise of an American freedom.
Lets take a look at the brief history of satellite radio. “Satellite radio” took off in 1992 when the FCC set aside a portion of spectrum, the “S” band (2.3GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based digital audio radio service. Four companies applied for a broadcast license, XM and Sirius being 2 of them. They were given approval to broadcast in 1997. XM began broadcasting in September, 2001 and Sirius nine months later in June, 2002.
At any rate here we are. The two are united. So what does that mean for you and me. The FCC has put several restrictions on the deal. Like, a price lock for three years, minority and community based programming. Radios that receive XM and Sirius signals and a la carte programming will also be offered so we can pick and choose our channels from both. The new company is said to be named Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Press Release
NEW YORK, July 29, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio today announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in the nation’s premier radio company. The new company plans to change its corporate name to SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. The combined company’s stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SIRI.”
SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.
“I am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between SIRIUS and XM,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. “We have worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for subscribers.”
“Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the marketplace,” added Karmazin.
XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.
Competitive New Options for Consumers
SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world’s leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.
As a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer consumers new packages in audio entertainment, including the first-ever a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two a la carte options, the new packages will include: “Best of Both,” giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored packages including “Mostly Music” and “News, Talk and Sports.” The first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.
“One of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers will upgrade their current subscription,” said Karmazin.
“The upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of the company’s future and the success we expect to see,” said Karmazin.
As promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining their current service package.
Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way
SIRIUS XM Radio expects to begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.
“In addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class programming and marketing we are known for,” said Karmazin.
The company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will continue growing beyond 2009.
“We have all the tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally today — on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the operations,” said Karmazin.
The corporate headquarters will be located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.
Effective after the close of the market yesterday, trading in XMSR common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ceased.
What can we expect in the future?
- Better programming
- More subscription choices
- Lower overall pricing
- Radios capable of accepting XM and Sirius signals
- Continued company growth
- Hopefully a profit
Kenny Chesney Fans
Don’t forget! Today is the big day when XM launches the new “No Shoes Radio” channel that is all things Kenny Chesney with his music, interviews, insights, exclusive concert broadcasts and much more.
Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio - Starts Saturday!
Kenny Chesney, the four-time consecutive and current Academy of Country Music and three-time and reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year has set his sights on XM Radio and his own signature music channel, “No Shoes Radio” (XM-18), which begins this Saturday, July 26!
“No Shoes Radio” is a 24/7 destination for all things Chesney - featuring music from Chesney’s audio catalog, including never-before-heard recordings, an uncut, exclusive concert broadcast from the 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour, plus random drop-ins from fans, friends and plenty of music to bring to life the attitude that permeates Kenny Chesney’s world. Kenny will take listeners backstage on his “Poets & Pirates Tour” for exclusive access to the “Vibe Room” and his tour bus and feature conversations and jam sessions with friends like Sammy Hagar, Steve Miller, Keith Urban, and more! Plus, listeners will travel with Kenny to the Caribbean and get a first-hand insight into his island life! Get the true Kenny Chesney experience on “No Shoes Radio,” exclusively on XM!
The channel will launch at 12:00 Noon ET (9:00 AM PT) this Saturday, July 26, with a LIVE broadcast from Kenny’s stadium concert in Boston! Hear live reports from the tailgate parties, plus a special appearance and LIVE performance from Kenny Chesney himself!
“No Shoes Radio” will be available on XM channel 18 from July 26 through October 25. The channel will also be on XM Radio Online (http://xmro.xmradio.com/), where it will stream for an additional three months.
For more on Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes Radio,” go to www.xmradio.com/chesney!
You can pick up his newset album “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” at Amazon.com in CD or DRM-free MP3 for $9.99.
Colorful New iPods
Word is that the new iPod Nanos will come in multiple colors, that is multiple colors on each iPod. That’s right . . . fruity looking iPods - not that they don’t look fruity enough already. Additionally, expect the storage capacity to double. 9to5mac says they have more coming down the pipe on the new iPod and other Mac gear.
Plasma Speaker, Singing Arc
No, this isn’t the sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This is a video of a plasma prototype speaker design.
The complete prototype circuit is shown here built on a single PCB. The reflector is made from PVC pipe with a rear mirror. EHT now slightly lower and the gap size has been reduced. Track is ‘Hold Me Now’ from the Thompson Twins - chosen purely for it’s good dynamic range, vocals & clever percussion !
Head on over to timetec’s YouTube channel to see several other DIY setups he’s produced.
Dedicated HD Radio Recievers From Coby Electronics
Coby pumps life into HD Radio with the announcement of there new portable HD Radio soulutions, the DHR700 and HDR650.
Press Release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 21 /PRNewswire/ — Coby(R) Electronics, the
leader in portable and affordable consumer electronics products designed to
fit every lifestyle, is introducing an all-new range of receivers that will
help put the power of HD Radio(TM) broadcasting into the hands of consumers
nationwide. The innovative, value-priced products will give users
effortless access to hundreds of new HD2 and HD3 channels and 1,700
crystal-clear AM and FM HD Radio stations — all subscription free — at
home, in the office, backyard or anywhere they want to be. Coby’s new
line-up, including the HDR- 700 Portable HD Radio System and HDR-650
Component HD Radio Receiver, makes its retail debut in August 2008.
"Our new receivers are the perfect way for consumers to get in on the
HD Radio experience," said Mark Farish, Head of Marketing for Coby
Electronics. "We’re excited to be among the very first manufacturers to
enter into this fast-growing CE category and to introduce our signature
feature-loaded products designed to help consumers capture the remarkable
sound quality and rich reception of HD Radio technology at the most
affordable possible price points."
Coby’s new HDR-700 Portable HD Radio System is the first-ever cordless
HD Radio receiver. Offering up huge sound from its compact design, this
take-it- on-the-go system allows users to tune in to static-free digital
broadcasts whenever and wherever they wish. With splash-proof housing and
an integrated rechargeable battery, the HDR-700 can serve as the sole
entertainment system — indoors and out! The small-scale unit also features
an SD card slot for digital MP3 playback. SRP $149.
And the company’s HDR-650 Component HD Radio Receiver, the most
affordable HD Radio receiver on the market, is a sleek capsule-like unit
with a brushed- aluminum casing designed to complement existing stereo and
audio systems. The HDR-650 features a high-contrast digital LCD screen that
displays station, artist and song title information. With a built-in alarm
and sleep timer function, the HDR-650 is a diminutive receiver that offers
high functionality at a low price. SRP $99.
Coby remains "in tune" with today’s most popular CE categories,
developing fresh products that meet the demands and enhance the lifestyles
of a wide range of consumers. In addition to its debut HD Radio receivers,
the company’s latest assortment includes cutting-edge MP3 and MP4 players,
stylish Digital Photo Frames that feature MP3 players, Digital Photo
Keychains and wallet-sized Digital Photo Albums, portable compact DVD
players and a wide range of accessories, including brand-new,
Apple-licensed iPod docking stations.
Check out my earlier post on HD Radio to learn more about it.
Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector
The all-in-one surround sound speaker options seem to be a popular move these days since they are easy to set up, especially when your TV room is not prewired for sound. I have already told you about Polk Audio’s alternative to a traditional 5.1 surround setup, the SurroundBar. Now, let me introduce you to Yamaha’s Digital Sound Projector.
Onkyo TX-SR506 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver
The Onkyo TX-SR506 is 7.1 channel A/V receiver that packs in 75 watts per channel. You get 2 component video inputs and 3 HDMI inputs, along with 2 optical and 2 coax digital audio inputs. The 506 includes dual-source Powered Zone 2 capability, which allows the receiver’s rear surround amplifier channels to power stereo speakers in a second room while still listening to 5.1-channel sound in the main zone. The TX-SR506 also includes HDMI pass-through, which has the ability to transmit 1080p video and Deep-Color data, but requires a separate connection for audio signals. Onkyo is a clear leader in the AV receiver realm and the TX-SR506 is no exception to this rule. Check out some of the reviews below for more on this great receiver.
Onkyo TX-SR506 Reviews
The latest incarnation of Onkyo’s budget AV receiver remains every bit as desirable thanks to superb cinema sound.
OK, you have a game room, bedroom or other location where you want the benefits of a good receiver but don’t want to bust the bank. This is it.
So you can have 10 Wonderbras or an Onkyo 506 - either way, you’ll have lots of fun with the installation!
Where to Buy the Onkyo TX-SR506
reAmped recommends Amazon.com for AV gear. They’ve typically got the best legitimate prices around and offer excellent customer service. Order the Onkyo TX-SR506 at Amazon by clicking here.
Wii Music
Today at the E3 Media & Business Summit, Nintendo brass unveiled Wii Music, a new game that allows the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers into more than 60 different instruments, including a violin, steel drums, electric guitar, even a cowbell. Players strum, shake, tap and drum along to the music in a pressure-free musical playground where there are no mistakes. They can improvise on their arrangements by skipping a note or adding 10. The music always sounds great, but it’s up to players to come up with creative arrangements that they can then send to friends and family who have Wii Music. Those Wii Friends can then put their own spin on the arrangement and send it back and forth over WiiConnect24. Wii Music will be available in the United States for the holidays. Will it enjoy the same following as Guitar Hero? Personally, I think kids will love it.
Press Release
LOS ANGELES - At the Kodak Theatre on Tuesday morning (July 15, 2008), Nintendo hyped its success in “destroying the psychological barriers between gamers and non-gamers.” And the company’s next step in that is “Wii Music” and a spring 2009 tweak of the Wii remote. The company also snuck in the announcement of a new “Grand Theft Auto” for the Nintendo DS.
“Wii Music” was showcased as the premier Wii game for the holiday season. To demonstrate, a man appeared onstage to bash on virtual drums, using the controllers to emulate drumsticks and the Wii Balance Board for a bass pedal. “Mario” inventor Shigeru Miyamoto produced a Wii remote, held it close to his mouth and essentially played virtual saxophone. Miyamoto described “Wii Music” as one of the fundamental Wii games that was in development at the same time as “Wii Sports,” “Wii Play” and “Wii Fit.”
5 Free iPhone 3G Audio Apps
Along with the release of the iPhone 3G, Apple opened the doors to 3rd party developers to deliver applications to iPhone users through Apple’s own "App Store", which is integrated with iTunes. Some of these developers have really outdone themselves with the functionality of new iPhone applications. Below are 5 popular and free audio applications that should spice things up on your new iPhone 3G.
1. Shazam - When you hear a song and wonder what it is, Shazam is there with the answer. Hold your iPhone to the music and within seconds Shazam will tell you the artist and track name.
2. Tap Tap Revenge - This rhythm game lets you tap (think: Guitar Hero) and shake your iPhone to the beat of the included tracks and challenge friends in head-to-head two player mode.
3. Midomi - If you like the sound of Shazam, then you’ll really dig Midomi. You can search for music by singing to your iPhone, saying the song or artist name, typing it in, or by holding your iPhone to a speaker playing the music. Then you can find it on YouTube or buy it on iTunes.
4. Pandora Radio - Free streaming internet radio. Pandora personalizes things by starting with an artist or song and then it builds your own station with more from that artist and similar music.
5. AOL Radio - AOL Radio is powered by CBS radio with over 200 stations comprising more than 25 genres of music. Plus, you get access to popular terrestrial stations from New York, LA, Chicago, Atlanta and more. Did I mention that it’s free?
