This technophobe needs help re: Sirius radio and iPods

[bunnys]

Hi:

I want to start running again but know I need to have music to listen to in order to commit.

I own NO music. I own NO musical playing devices and I am ignorant about technology. My phone is a $30 per month pay as you go from Mart-mart.

I did buy a new car this summer with Sirius radio and have found out that I can pay an additional $3.5 per month for internet access. This means I can download programming onto smart devices. I was interested in purchasing an iPod shuffle (cheapest) but apparently you must download some kind of "app" to do this. I'm guessing they mean app as in "there's an app for that." Also, the least complex iPod I can use to do this is the iPod 2 (second generation.) I think iPods cost something like $150 and up and I am a frugal woman.

Frugal technophiles please advise me. Is there something else I can do here? Is there some other way I can get really inexpensive music to run with? Is there somewhere else I can get free music that I can put on the much less expensive iPod shuffle?

I need help!

Thanks.

[Tradd]

OK, bunnys, first thing - if you want to download directly to an iPod via an app, the only iPod I'm aware you can do that with is the iPod Touch. It's like an iPhone, but without the phone part and the monthly cellular bill.

There are inexpensive mp3 players you can get at Target, etc. Do you need MUSIC to run to? Would podcasts (think radio show) work as well? There are tons of free pocasts out there.

[SteveinMN]

The "app" you need for an iPod (of any kind) is called iTunes. It's free and there are versions for Apple Macintosh or Microsoft Windows. You can get it at Apple's Web site. Once it's installed on your computer, you'll be able to buy and download music and podcasts (and, if your iPod can handle them, videos and TV shows) from the iTunes Music Store (on the Internet) or put your own music into iTunes. This could be CDs or such you already own, or it might be the music from Sirius. To be honest, I'm not very familiar with Sirius/XM (DW got a three-month trial with her new car and we never renewed), but I would be rather surprised if Sirius let you actually download music to your computer. More likely, they will let you listen to "streams" (basically, channels) on your computer but once you quit their player or iTunes, the stream will stop and you'll have to restart their player or iTunes to listen more. There really won't be a file on your computer that you'll be able to put on your iPod that will reproduce Sirius. That's what I think, anyway.

Anyway, iTunes will be free for you. Really, you can use any iPod you can find. Lots of people sell used iPods of all generations and models on craigslist, ebay, and even Apple sells refurbished iPods on their Web site (though these typically are the later models). Generally the biggest consideration in buying a used iPod is that it is in acceptable physical condition and the battery still holds enough of a charge for you. The possibility of iPod battery replacement as a DIY project varies in inverse proportion to how new the iPod is. I replaced the battery in my 3rd Gen iPod, and it wasn't very hard (but, then, I'm used to disassembling and reassembling electronics). It would be harder in the newer iPods with their thinner polymer batteries.

Another possibility is to buy an MP3 player from a brand other than Apple. Anymore you can get them cheap at a good-sized drugstore or discount store. There are some name brands out there (Sony, Samsung, Philips, Sandisk) and plenty of off-brands to pick from. What has made the iPod successful, however, is the style and ergonomics and just how easy it is to get content and put it on the iPod. Apparently that is enough for most people to choose an iPod.

Hope that helps....

[rosarugosa]

One suggestion for a free music source is Internet Archives. Many bands allow their music to be shared for free, usually audience recordings. My Grateful iPod has dozens of concerts from the Grateful Dead and related bands. The music you like might not be available, but it's worth a look. It's a great site with movies, books, concerts and all sorts of good stuff.
I got my iPod Classic as a work award a few years ago. We seldom use it with earbuds, but we do use it as a music source in our cars with adapters. We have a casette adapter for my 1995 car and a more current MP3 adapter wire for DH's 2007 car. DH does all the iPod programming and maintenance; otherwise it would just be a shiny paperweight :)

ETA: Internet Archives - many of the files can be downloaded, not just streamed.

[herbgeek]

Back before XM radio charged extra for internet access, I used to have this at work, and yes it just streams the same content you would be hearing on the radio. It did not download any files.

For streaming to work on your device, it would have to be connected to the internet. So if you plan to use it running, you'll have to have a cell service on the device, as wifi isn't going to cut it unless you are running in place outside a Starbucks or McDonald's. So I'd say don't waste the 3.50 getting the extra XM/Sirius service.

The cheapest way to get music on an apple device would be to upload CD's that you already own (or can borrow from friends). Otherwise purchasing songs on itunes is around a buck a song (some less, some more, but usually around that price).

[Miss Cellane]

Sirius sells a portable radio that allows you to listen to listen to their music and record it. That would sound ideal for you--but it costs $150.

You could use an iPod for Sirius, but you would need one of the more expensive models, not the Shuffle. I think you would need wi-fi access to listen to music on an iPod, and that would be problematic while running. (The Sirius website is not the easiest to find information on; you might want to contact them directly to see if you could use an iPod Touch to stream their music while running.) What I can't figure out from the website is if you can record music on an iPod. If you could record a station for an hour, that would give you music to play back while you are running. But I can't see if that's a possibility.

You could also buy an iPod Shuffle and use the free iTunes application to put music on it. You can buy individual songs from the iTunes store for 99 cents to $1.29, and albums for anywhere from $8 to $15. You can also copy music CDs directly into iTunes, so you could put exactly the music you want on the Shuffle.

[SteveinMN]

herbgeek, thanks for the confirmation on streams vs. files. I couldn't see Sirius' agreements with record labels allowing free downloads...

I would again echo Tradd's mention of podcasts. Many radio stations (including networks like NPR and some listener-supported stations) archive episodes of their popular shows. You can download them for free and listen at your leisure. All genres of music, discussion/panel shows, and so on.

If you're a fan of less-popular musical genres (New Age, Classical, Ambient, etc.) magnatune.com offers streams (not useful on an iPod) and a $15/month "all you can eat" download setup. I'm not into those genres enough to spend $15 a month, but I listen to the stream occasionally and have found some talented artists there. If you're a fan of under-represented kinds of music, it might be interesting.

[ToomuchStuff]

I own NO music. I own NO musical playing devices and I am ignorant about technology.
Thanks.


I didn't realize you could post to this site, with pen and paper:confused:
How do you post here? (own a computer, what do you use?)
With a computer, you can take a cd (you legally own) and convert the music tracks to a format your player uses (mp3 is typical, OGG is a free codec that unfortunely not all support). There is other software that you could use to record streaming shows (like people did with cassettes back in the day when they were trying to catch something), as well as free music and pay music (Itunes, Amazon, etc). I do wonder about the players though. I have an older Iriver, which has a hard drive. I don't think it works as well for running, as my brothers sub $30 flash based player (no moving parts)
The reason IMHO, that the Ipod made such a big deal, is the interface and how you can select your music. (ease of use) Others, it is simpler to make a playlist on your computer and select that, then to try to find an individual song.

[Miss Cellane]

I think part of the problem is that bunnys doesn't have any CDs. Otherwise, buying the cheapest MP3 player and burning the CDs to the computer hard drive and copying the songs to an iPod or other player would be the logical solution.

Using Sirius for running would involve getting the portable Sirius radio, I fear.

[ToomuchStuff]

I think part of the problem is that bunnys doesn't have any CDs. Otherwise, buying the cheapest MP3 player and burning the CDs to the computer hard drive and copying the songs to an iPod or other player would be the logical solution.

Using Sirius for running would involve getting the portable Sirius radio, I fear.

I understand not owning any. My point is to step back and look at what she does have. There are radio stations that broadcast on the internet (the one I listen to fades out before I make it to home, but reaches my work fine, most days). If she does this, then she may realize it may be cost effective to buy music online, or to hit the music sections of garage sales, CL, (do libraries still loan music?) etc.

She can already do a lot, with a little personal education, and the tools she has access to. This is a kick in the pants to get over the fear of learning!

[bunnys]

Oh, necessity is what is making me ask and read and even call Sirius (after the 2 online chats were dismal failures,) believe me.

That's right, I don't own any music. I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds and thousands of dollars to purchase a library of music from the iTunes site.

I asked Sirius. The $150 radio would be perfect as I could stream and run to my heart's content. Unfortunately, it only works with XM, not Sirius so that's out. (Something about some kind of configuration or something...?)

According to the people @ Sirius, I CAN download music from their internet site onto certain iPods (and above.) I have to have an iPod Touch 2nd generation or something more sophisticated and newer. According to what I've learned, iPod Touch does not have satellite reception (like the iPhone does.) I can only use it for the internet where wireless is available. As herbgeek said, I could only run in place outside Starbucks if I want to stream on the iPod Touch. But I can download onto the iPod Touch. So I'm going to have to buy one of these.

I talked with a friend today and he said I should by the oldest generation that can support downloading from Sirius--reconfigured from the Apple site because it will cost about 1/2 price and will still have a warranty.

To those of you that have suggested non-music podcasts. I'm really looking for music. The reason is that I really think I need the tempo to help me get and keep moving.

But thanks for the website suggestion, rosarugosa. I will look @ it.

And for those suggesting I just listen to local radio, it's like a radio wasteland here in the small southern city in which I abide.

Any further suggestions given my further specifics?

[SteveinMN]

Any further suggestions given my further specifics?
A couple ...

First, Sirius and XM are the same company now. Is it possible they could "side-grade" you from Sirius to XM so you could use that radio? Just a thought.

Second, based on the other things you told us, it looks like buying an iPod Touch might be the best avenue for you. The iPod Touch 4th generation is now available from Apple refurbished (the only way I buy Apple products) for $129. Same warranty as new, new earbuds; about the only difference from new is the color of the box. It's more expensive than buying one used, but you get a year's warranty and a new battery, which no private seller is likely to offer you. 8 GB likely will be enough for you because you won't want to listen to the same stream over and over and you won't be filling up the memory with apps.

[bunnys]

Steve:

What do you mean by "side grade?" I asked them specifically about using Sirius for the radio but they said no-go. Also, the radio in the car is a Sirius. Do you know if that could be used for an XM account?

They said flat out, the XM radio will not play Sirius.

I had no idea new battery and ear phones. That really sounds like the best deal and $129 isn't that bad...

[Rosemary]

I live in an i-Thing-free-zone and my cell phone is a 10-year old flip-phone model.

We have MP3 players made by Sansa that are really easy to use. They appear on your computer as a generic storage device after connecting by USB and songs can be moved as files or moved by various free software programs. This works for me. I can get songs from CDs or by buying MP3 songs online. Both are easy and doable. Either a 2GB or 4GB model should be plenty for music-only, and these will be on sale in the coming weeks. Mine is the Sansa Clip model, which I really like because it is tiny and clips on to my clothing, easy for walking or running. I think I paid $30 for it about 3-4 years ago (4GB).

[ToomuchStuff]

I live in an i-Thing-free-zone and my cell phone is a 10-year old flip-phone model.

We have MP3 players made by Sansa that are really easy to use. They appear on your computer as a generic storage device after connecting by USB and songs can be moved as files or moved by various free software programs. This works for me. I can get songs from CDs or by buying MP3 songs online. Both are easy and doable. Either a 2GB or 4GB model should be plenty for music-only, and these will be on sale in the coming weeks. Mine is the Sansa Clip model, which I really like because it is tiny and clips on to my clothing, easy for walking or running. I think I paid $30 for it about 3-4 years ago (4GB).


I think that was the model my brother bought (off a deal of the day site). Using software and recording from something such as Pandora, LastFM, or from a radio station that cobroadcasts online (for example KPOW), one could make the file on the computer and then send it to the player.

[SteveinMN]

Steve:

What do you mean by "side grade?"
"Side-grade" is like an upgrade except that you don't end up "better" and you shouldn't pay more. Side-grades are typically offered by competitor companies to get you to try their product. "Got a bottle of Heinz ketchup? Give it to us and we'll give you a free bottle of Hunt's." (or something like that; that example probably has never happened.)

Since you already have a Sirius subscription, maybe they would let you have an XM subscription instead at a similar price and without activation fees and all that other stuff? That way you could use the radio with a service it actually will play. Sirius and XM are the same company; despite the technological differences, they are different models of the same product. Maybe if you were to ask, "I want to buy your portable XM radio, but I've been paying for Sirius for ______ (months/years). Could you move me to XM at the same price?" Asking is free. :)

[rose]

I have a Sansa MP3 too. Our library lets you download two songs a day free. I load them to my computer and from there to my MP3 player. Easy with USB cord that comes with SANSA. I've borrowed CD's from the library and loaded them on my computer. They could go to the SANSA too. Old music, obviously.

I understand you want music but I also download audio books from library onto my computer and then to Sansa MP3. The books time out after a few weeks.

[artist]

You can buy used IPod as well. I just got my son a 120G Classic IPod used for $80. They threw in a new set of headphones as well. They had 4G Ipod nano's for as little as $25. 8G's started around $35 and went as high as $65 depending on the condition.