SelectRadio: Feature-Packed Internet and XM Satellite Radio Solution

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.selectradio.com/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.selectradio.com/index.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060111-SelectRadio.jpg" /><br /><i>"Users of handhelds with wireless capability and SelectRadio software now can listen live to thousands of Internet radio stations and XM Satellite Radio's online music, news and comedy channels. The software also lets users timeshift programs and set up groups of favorite stations for easy access, monitoring and navigation. According to the Internet and Multimedia 2005 Arbitron/Edison Media Research study, variety and control are leading reasons consumers listen to internet radio. Similarly, satellite radio listeners report that their best experience with the service is diversity of content and programs, according to a 2005 study funded by the National Association of Broadcasters."</i><br /><br />Wow. If you're a frequent internet / XM radio listener, then you might want to check out SelectRadio. Aside from the usual channel scanning and listing functionality, SelectRadio includes two technologies that should enhance your listening experience. The first is HyperScan, which automatically seeks and filters certain artists (based on your preferences). The second is TrackSnap, which can capture a song from the beginning even if you tune into the song midway. In addition to the list of channels available from an XM radio subscription, SelectRadio includes a list of a thousand free ShoutCast stations. There are a lot more features available which you can learn more about <a href="http://www.selectradio.com/features.html">here</a>.<br /><br />SelectRadio is compatible with Pocket PCs armed with Intel XScale PXA27x processors (no pun intended) and Windows Mobile 2003/2003SE/5.0, and will be made available in February at $35. However, there are a couple of things you might want to look at while you wait. The first is the <a href="http://www.selectradio.com/ryhpromotion.html">"Rock Your Handheld" contest</a> where US residents can go into the running to win one of three packs consisting of a $55.00 XM Radio gift card, a 2GB SD card, <a href="http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/eseries_e2c.html#overview">Shure's E2C earphones</a>, a <a href="http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Product_Id=166903">Belkin TuneCast II FM transmitter</a>, a <a href="http://www.si-technologies.com/frontEnd/cm_productDetail.jsp?productID=31">Sonic Impact Gen 1.5 speaker set</a>, and of course, a <a href="http://www.selectradio.com/index.html">SelectRadio license</a> for your Pocket PC. The second is the SelectRadio beta, which you can sample for 45 days and receive a 20% off SelectRadio coupon upon submitting feedback by February 15.

[freitasm]

Hmmm. Didn't work on i-mate Jasjar or i-mate Apache - and these are the perfect devices (with fast EV-DO or so-so UMTS).

[redbike2001]

I installed the program on to my Dell Axim 30. I checked to make sure the processor was supported. Program appears to have installed fine. Axim is in its docking station as is able to gain Internet access. I keep getting a "No internet connection detected", when I run the program. I also took the Dell out of the cradle, enabled the WiFi and was again able to connect to the Internet. Trying to run the program generated the same error message. I tried a soft reset, but it did not change anything.

[Darius Wey]

Hmm, odd. I assume you've notified them via the feedback form?

[redbike2001]

Hmm, I did contact them, but since it is a Beta version, I am not expecting a lot of tech support. I was hoping that some other "Early Adapters" in this Forum may have had a similar problem and could give me some guidance.

[Dave Lazarz]

SelectRadio requires activesync 4.1, which only works with Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. If you are using activsync 3.8 it will not work.

[Sven Johannsen]

SelectRadio requires activesync 4.1, which only works with Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. If you are using activsync 3.8 it will not work.

AS 4.1 works fine with devices backe to PPC2000. It's just not required or recommended unless you have WM5 or better. That said, this is a rediculous requirement IMHO. The function of AS for this should be installation, which amounts to copying a cab to the device and running it. That is, unless, the device must be cradled to use it, in which case it is pretty much usless. Restricting this to AS4 would also disenfranchise those users who don't use AS to install, but do so by copying or downoading the cab directly. If this is true, it better change.

[Peter Traugot]

After reading the AS 4.1 requireement for installation, and then reading the rest of the install notes, It seems that doing the configuration AFTER removing from the dock and turning on WIFI might work.

I'm going to try today.

[Scarpad]

Wow I wonder if this will Fly. XM killed their XMPCR Hardware after a Software package came out that let you timeshift and capture songs and programming.

[Peter Traugot]

Well, after installing and then dissconnecting from AS, I opened a WIFI connection to the internet. Ran the app, and it tells me that it can't find the internet. Goes though a few more line items, then freezes.

Not a good start. :(

[Peter Traugot]

anyone get this application to work???

[Darius Wey]

anyone get this application to work???

Yes, I took time out today to give the application a test run. You should have a network connection established when you first start it up as it needs to retrieve the list of ShoutCast channels for the very first time. It's not a mandatory step though. I uninstalled the application and reinstalled it to see if it would load fine without a network connection. The answer? Yes, though it loads without the ShoutCast channels (obviously).

As for the application itself, it works great. Connecting to a station is as easy as tapping on it. If I had to complain about anything, it'd be the lack of a stop button, unless I was blind enough to miss it. 8O

Oh, and for the record, I used an X50v with Windows Mobile 5.0 over a Wi-Fi connection. In fact, I don't even think ActiveSync 4.x is a requirement (unless you're using a Windows Mobile 5.0 device). SelectRadio only relies on ActiveSync for installation. I'm sure it's capable of doing that over ActiveSync 3.8 for Windows Mobile 2003 devices.

[redbike2001]

The folks at Select Radio got back to me (hats off to them for the excellent support of a Beta product).

The program assumes you are installing into the default directory. If you have installed it somewhere else (like I did onto my SD card) the program will give you the Internet Connection error message. If you delete the program and re-install into the default destination, you will have no problems!!

[Peter Traugot]

I concur with redbike!

I spoke with these folks today. VERY responseve. Same issue. Install to default directory and everything fires up fine. I also have had it running over WIFI with no problem. No need for AS 4.1.

Darius, the stop button is a context sensative pop-up menu. Hold the stylus down over the active station and a menu appears. You can stop, copy to another folder, etc.

What I can't seem to figure out is the Schedule stuff or hyperscan. Alway grey. Maybe it isn't hooked up in the beta.

[Darius Wey]

Darius, the stop button is a context sensative pop-up menu. Hold the stylus down over the active station and a menu appears. You can stop, copy to another folder, etc.

Ah, thanks for that. :)

[Don't Panic!]

The Samsung i730s processor is not supported. :(