EXTERNAL EFFECTS
SiriusXM Gets Smart With New Services Meanwhile, lower unemployment numbers reported in January, gas prices spike and the government eases on driver distraction regulations
By Jaime Sorcher PAIN AT THE PUMP
What’s Going On: Gas prices are expected to spike in the months ahead and could top $5 or more per gallon as we head into the summer season, according to a Price Outlook report by
GasBuddy.com How It Could Affect You:
A jump in gas prices could pummel consumer confidence and delay any real recovery of an already brittle economy. Folks may hesitate to take those road trips or vacations this summer and, in turn, retailers could feel the aftershocks by not getting that bump in business from families looking to add satellite radio, rear-seat entertainment systems, navigation units or other upgrades.
WORKING IT
What’s Going On: While fuel concerns continue, at least there is finally some good news related to the job market. January marked the lowest number for unemployment in four years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a net increase of 243,000 jobs for January, giving the employment market back-to-back months with job growth in excess of 200,000. It definitely gives us a sliver of hope that things are starting to turn around, but unemployment was still at 8.3 percent at press time and there are estimated millions of workers who have left the job market, so there’s still a long way to go. How It Could Affect You:
With more folks heading back to work and people feeling a bit more secure with the direction of the economy, we could see consumers willing to spend on those extras that they didn’t purchase over the holidays or during the recession. Another potential bonus: with more people getting back into the workforce, they may have the need to lease a car or even purchase a new/used one.
SATELLITE SOARS WITH NEW SERVICES, SUBSCRIBERS What’s Going On:
SiriusXM is adding two new premium services for its Internet subscribers that can be accessed by smartphone and other mobile devices. Later this year, the company will also offer personalized radio (think Pandora) so users can tailor music to their own tastes. SiriusXM marks its 10th anniversary with what may become a series of subscriber-exclusive events like Bruce Springsteen’s concert held March 9 at New York City’s Apollo Theater. Broadcast on the E Street radio channel, it will allow the company to give out tickets to SiriusXM subscribers through giveaways and sweepstakes. How It Could Affect You: This in-car entertainment option has had plenty of competition lately, but now SiriusXM is stepping things up, which can translate to introduce new consumers to satellite radio. SiriusXM rolls out its new, second- generation universal tuner, the SXV200V1, this spring, which delivers the new 2.0 satellite service. Subscriber numbers are way up, too. In 2011, there were 1.7 million new subscribers, and the company expects to add 1.3 million net new subscribers this year.
20 Mobile Electronics February | March 2012
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