Question about Slacker

styckx

Member
Nov 11, 2008
250
4
18
I remember when this first was really hyped up as a alternative to satellite and such but never really followed it. I do remember though when the portable unit wasn't out and still in development the story behind it was they were going to use a free spectrum of a TV satellite to update the portable unit.

Checking it out now, I see that is not part of it at all and obviously never panned out.

What's the story behind that and why it was never incorporated? I can't seem to find any information about why that was dropped.
 

DAB

Mod Emeritus
Oct 9, 2008
9,434
149
63
Louisiana
Yes, I do recall this as well, but I have never been able to find out any info on this.

If you want my personal opinion I think after some trial and error they came to the conclusion this was simply not needed. I mean unless you are on the road all the time the need to be able to refresh the stations in this manner isn't really necessary. Even truckers eventually stop at truck stops many of which have wifi available. They could fill up and take a snooze while their Slacker is refreshing. You could also opt for the larger 8gb version which if you put less channels on it, could basically end up with some 500 song stations, that is a lot of tunes and would take many hours to listen too.

I personally have no need of this feature, but what I would like to see are home docks and car docks that would allow charging. I think even a boombox might be something valuable for this device, though a lot less important.
 

MNXMFan

Member
Oct 24, 2008
95
3
8
Given current economic conditions, I would be surprised to see this ever come to fruition.

It's a good idea, and might help, but 99% of people coiuld probably get to an internet connection before 2500 songs become stale (or 4000 on the 8gb).

Personally, I would like to see the company stay financially conservative and concentrate on other features and programming.
 
Oct 29, 2008
422
7
18
I remember when this first was really hyped up as a alternative to satellite and such but never really followed it. I do remember though when the portable unit wasn't out and still in development the story behind it was they were going to use a free spectrum of a TV satellite to update the portable unit.

Checking it out now, I see that is not part of it at all and obviously never panned out.

What's the story behind that and why it was never incorporated? I can't seem to find any information about why that was dropped.
I thought I remember the first generation device was supposed to have a car dock. The dock would be used to refresh music in your car via satellite, or whatever. I had forgotten about that once I saw how big the first generation device was.
 

DAB

Mod Emeritus
Oct 9, 2008
9,434
149
63
Louisiana
Again my question is what would be the necessity? I mean why bother, no use spending good money on something like this that doesn't even appear necessary to me. Are there any real legit scenarios where this thing would be needed?
 
Oct 29, 2008
422
7
18
Again my question is what would be the necessity? I mean why bother, no use spending good money on something like this that doesn't even appear necessary to me. Are there any real legit scenarios where this thing would be needed?

I don't see a necessity for it. I would not spend money on it if I can use usb connection. I suppose if you did not have wifi access, or a computer at your side. A dock to refresh the player via satellite would be a legit reason to purchase a dock with this ability. I would not be in that group though. I would think the product would not sell very well since everyone has computers, or wifi access. Which is probably a good guess at the answer to the OP question. I had forgotten all about it until I read the thread. Although what does not work for one person may work for someone else, but if Slacker can't sell enough of them. Then they sure as heck won't bother producing them. Obviously consumer demand was not warranted in the first generation player otherwise they would have released something.