I was just notified that there’s a new version of the StarPlayr app (currently private, but soon to be launched in the iTunes App Store). Features now include:

• Mini guide: what’s playing on a channel before you tune in
• New views / animations for lyrics and album art
• Artist / title scrolling animation
• More responsive stream start/stop
• Hold to set / unset presets
• Sortable presets
• Auto mute when headphone or headset is removed
• Shake to shuffle all channels, presets, or off
• Auto tune to last channel on startup
• Sound effects
• Time played

Stay tuned, satellite radio subscribers! This is already one AMAZING app!

XM / Sirius Satellite Radio on the iPhone

Since purchasing the Acura RL, I’ve become an XM subscriber. Having satellite radio at my mobile fingertips has proven to be a wonderful luxury! For the most part, I remain tuned into the comedy channels (namely, XM Channel 150). The holidays are coming, and XM has responded with a set of Holiday music channels:

• Holly (XM 103) has “Contemporary holiday hits are sprinkled in with more traditional favorites.” I’ll probably stick with this one, by and large.
• Holiday Traditions (XM 104) has “Traditional recordings from the ’40s through the ’60s will keep you swinging through the holidays.” Here’s my second choice for XM radio holiday music.
• Music City Holiday (XM 105) has “Country’s biggest superstars sing contemporary and traditional holiday hits.” I’m never touching this channel. Ever.
• Classical Christmas (XM 106) has “Traditional carols sung by the greatest classical musicians of all-time.” Yeah, maybe if I get bored.
• Special X-mas (XM 107) claims that “This is the soundtrack to your dysfunctional family holiday.” Humor? Sign me up.

If I had to choose between the two satellite radio networks, I’d go with XM – hands down. Ponzi’s got Sirius in the car, and it just doesn’t have the “stuff” I care about most.

XM Holiday Music Channels