Motorola is getting set to launch an intriguing new service called iRadio that hopes to compete with satellite radio. The concept works like this: for $6.99 a month users will be able to visit the iRadio website (and I bet the folks at iradio.com are just about falling over themselves at this manna that fell from the sky), pick out the content they want to hear from over 500 "channels" available and then drop their next generation phone into a docking station. The next morning they will awake to discover a phone fully loaded with content, which you can listen to on headphones, on the home stereo, or take on the road. A box in your car receives the audio over bluetooth, requiring no cables, and will also allow you to change channels. Artist and song info will show up on your car stereo display, and you can pause the stream at any time (which happens automatically if there is an incoming call). The content will be radio-like in that you won't be able to rewind and fast forward, but if you really like a track you will be able to press a button and it will automatically download the track to your computer upon your return (you will be charged accordingly, of course). The idea is a good one, and has a lot of potential if they can get enough customers to sign on. With deals already in place with the Majors, and mono-artist channels already lined up to play specific acts like Shania Twain and Vince Gill, this could wind up making a case to many users why they should switch from satellite radio.












