I can play online radio from my IPhone (Pandora, Last, IHeartRadio, AOLRadio, Tunemark etc.) over the car stereo system via Bluetooth?

XM is nice and all. I really dig the First Wave and Lithium channels. But I can find/build similar channels online for free.

Am I missing something here?

 

Yes, I think you’re missing the traffic info features of XM including the green, yellow or red lines along freeways on your nav screen that shows current traffic flow data; and detailed accident information that includes where, what direction, and where the traffic flow will get back to normal. It’s been quite valuable to me in both deciding on alternate routes, and lowering the stress factor by knowing where a problem will end. Living in Houston, I’m sure your area is well covered.

 

yeah the nav traffic is nice but I learned to live w/o it when my free trial ended. it's not worth the monthly charge to me

 

because only the 2010's can stream through bluetooth

 

You pay at least $30 a month for data services on an iphone, alot more than $77 a year. So it's not "free" Plus not everyone has an iphone, believe it or not.

XM also has exclusive content you cant get streaming on the net, like howard stern.

 

They should pay the user to listen to stations like howard stern

 

Is there a way to update the 08 Bluetooth so we can stream??

 

Nope, you're not missing anything. I wouldn't pay for XM either with all the other options.

 

yup buy a 2010 and get navigation package.

 

NavTraffic is another $48/year on top of XM Radio, which is required. Wish I can just get the traffic info without the radio. Between MusicBox and USB, I can do without the XM.

 

Hahahahahahaha!!! Funny Ken, but is there another way aside from getting another darn car?!

 

In a way I agree. I was not inclined to pay for radio when I got my car. But during the three-month free period for XM I became impressed by the nav traffic feature and found myself using it quite often in Southern California’s crowded freeways. So when the free period was up I decided to stay on.

Just this week while going south on the 405 I was alerted to traffic congestion ahead that would last past my exit, so I just got off at the next exit and took city streets to my destination with no appreciable delay.

After the second year, I made a three-year deal with XM for $406 which works out to around $11 per month for everything, so it certainly seems worth it to me.

 

I have an 08 and listen to Pandora directly through the iPod connection.

 

Doubt it, without installing a bunch of aftermarket hardware equipment. You'd be better off just streaming through the aux ports or ipod connector.

 

1. "Free" in the sense that $30/month is already a sunk cost. I'm paying that no matter what. This is just a new application for me.

2. Fair point. There's some college sports radio stations that I'll miss out on.

I guess I'll have a couple months to decide whether $7/month for XM radio or ~$14/mo for XM radio, traffic and weather makes sense.