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Since Navteq makes the MINI Nav system and the MINI is able to have Sirius added into it's built in audio system, I thought this press release might be interesting:
Real time traffic data available for 30 markets
Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. reported Tuesday that it signed an agreement with digital-map maker Navteq Corp. to provide subscribers with real-time traffic data.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.Sirius said the new service, which will be available in 30 markets at first and is expected to expand to 50 markets, will provide customers with regularly updated traffic information to be integrated with in-car navigation systems. Sirius spokesman Jim Collins said the company cannot say at this time when it will launch the new service.
The company said automotive and retail partners intend to offer the service as a product upgrade for upcoming auto navigation systems.
The traffic service is expected to provide an additional revenue stream, Sirius said.
Currently, subscribers pay $12.95 per month but Sirius plans to roll out a host of video and data-type services, like the traffic service, that could be offered in a tiered pricing structure, Collins said.
Shares of Sirius fell 11 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $7.93 in morning trading on the Nasdaq, while Navteq shares dropped 34 cents, or less than 1 percent to $43.96 on the New York Stock Exchange.
<p>Bye bye traffic jams.</p>
<p>I've never been a big fan of the navigation package… UNTIL NOW!!! This might make the whole thing worth while for those of us who drive the same roads 99% of the time.</p>
<p>Now if they could figure out the Sirius portion of the equation so that we 2005 owners can get satellite radio – that would be great. Or at the very least, tell us what the hold up is so we don't sit around and speculate that it is simply incompetence.</p>
<p>Now if they could figure out the Sirius portion of the equation so that we 2005 owners can get satellite radio – that would be great. Or at the very least, tell us what the hold up is so we don't sit around and speculate that it is simply incompetence.</p>
<p>I've never been a fan of any of these technologies; they cannot prevent accidents. They cannot predict who will go where in the event a jam takes place and real time does little good if you're close to an incident. It's like Rob Dyson from Dyson racing said once to a small group of us in his prep garage,”real time information is great, but when a guy back at the pits alarms me with, “Rob your oil pressure is high,” my response is, just what do you expect me to do about it from here.” </p>
<p>Sometimes, no most times, the technology does not serve up the convenience stated in its marketing. Chaos is not a phenomenon that can be predicted consistently.</p>
<p>There is a benefit. Realtime can also mean when you want it. If I leave work at 4:30, I've just missed the normal radios 4:28 traffic report. I'd much prefer to be able to get traffic on my schedule, and not the radio's schedule. Its not the truest sense of realtime, its just a side benefit.</p>
<p>And Information is useful when you're far away, you can adjust your driving to avoid the traffic, either through an alternate route, or being prepared to slow down, thus preventing another accident. Something doesn't need to be a huge improvement to be useful, especially if there isn't a big tradeoff (in this case, cost would be a factor).</p>
<p>Yes, but “ROB” might alter his racing, with the info, to get the car to the end of the race?</p>
<p>I wish we had that kind of info on our off-road car! Nav & Sirius would have been great out in the middle of the F'n desert.</p>
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<p>The new traffic feature sounds cool. I've been trying to get information about Sirius to put in my March 2005 delivery. I guess everyone is in the same boat. I've searched MotoringFile and I can't seem to find a basic description of how it works or what pieces are required for installation (i.e. new head unit, etc.). Be great if someone had a 3-4 sentence summary.</p>
<p>There is some information about Sirius parts on MINI2. The antenna seems to be the missing element!?!?!
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79273" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79273</a></p>
<p>Thanks, dw. Does any one know if the antenna on a navigation equipped car already supports Sirius? I take it that a new head unit needs to be swapped in place of the factory unit, regardless of the H/K stereo upgrade.</p>
<p>The factory radio is supposed to be Sirius ready, meaning you only add a receiver which is installed in one of the rear panels in the back. My 03 was equipped that way and the 05 is supposed to be the same.</p>
<p>Problem is that in 2002-2004 MINIS with Navigation package a Sirius system cannot be installed (at least not a factory MINI Sirius system). Perhaps with aftermarket or new adapter????</p>
<p>I've got the NAV and live in traffic clogged L.A. so live traffic updates would be GREAT. I probably would have added Sirius radio at delivery of my 2004 JCW MCS, but could not have both.</p>
<p>I'm in the process of ordering a 2005 MCS JCW, with Nav… and I just found out that the same applies for 2005 – factory Sirius not compatible with factory Navigation. I chose Navigation – the screen can be adapted for use with video sources too, so that's a bonus. Satellite radio is nice, but a loaded iPod (with the Dension ice>Link: Plus!) is much nicer, IMO. Still, if they were compatible, I would have opted for the Sirius too. Maybe this will bring hope for OEM integration between Nav & Sirius in the near future – including song & station info displayed on the Nav screen!</p>
<p>Semi OT, but I can't restrain myself… Wow, another Me Too! product from Sirius.</p>
<p>If you're wondering how real time traffic data will interface with a navigation system – check out the website for the Acura RL – my buddy that works at XM gave me a ride in a preproduction prototype a few months ago and </p>
<p>I was blown away by the navigation system. XM is also using Navteq for the real-time traffic monitoring – if your city has road sensors that report back the volume of traffic volume – real time traffic data will work amazingly.</p>
<p>Now if they can just figure out a way to have Nav and Sirius, I'd be very excited!</p>
<p>When MINI would not sell me Sirius with my Sat Nav 04 I added the XM direct radio that also uses the Head unit for display… it has about 30 cities with traffic and weather info which works fine for me… the Euro system of displaying traffic info on the sat nav screen would be nice though</p>