I sat down with Internet radio service Slacker folks this morning for a CES update on their mobile platforms. Shown for the first time here in Vegas is a brand new webOS client which will be launching later this month.
Also new is station caching. Meaning you can download songs for the those times when you’ve got no connectivity. While the Blackberry client already features caching, it’ll be updated shortly to remove the USB requirement – enabling “station” refreshed over the air. Both Android and iPhone clients will also see station caching in the near future — they’re hopeful of getting it done this month, but things like Apple’s approval process may push them into February. (Two shots of iPhone/Touch caching, below right.) You can cache up to 25 stations, for potentially over 2,000 tracks – depending on your storage situation and chosen genre. A typical station can be downloaded/refreshed in 5-10 minutes over WiFi, and you can expect it’d take a bit longer over 3G depending on coverage.
While chatting with Slacker, I mentioned I’d like to see their service on Sonos. Roku, too. Once the CES dust settles, I’ll be making a few introductions.
Click to enlarge:
Caching on the iPhone!!!! Please please please make it through the App Store process. I miss my XM SatRad ( the “new” price increases last year was more than I was willing to pay) and the places I go with my iPhone none of the carriers serve. (Lucky Iridium has coverage – paid by my employer.)
I love Slacker, hope it stays around on the mobiles!