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Motorola finally launched the ROKR E2 yesterday...but only in Singapore.  No news on the US release.  A 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio, 3.5mm port for headphones, and other goodies...all for $458 (with operator contract).  CNET gives it mixed reviews here.  As expected, it's NOT using iTunes, but instead, a proprietary player...possibly iRadio? 

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Hey all you music-loving, server development software engineers -- this job's got your name alllll over it.  Candidates that are turned on by cacti and the color orange will be especially excited by the Phoenix location.  From the description:

iRadio Principal Staff Software Engineer -- Server Development

"... Develops software framework, create new features and enhancements to the server in the domains of: secure music distribution, heterogeneous multimedia codecs, play-list synchronization, digital content metadata management, service discovery, transaction billing, data mining, authorization/authentication and wireless LAN interfaces. ..."

The job description has a very high "meaningless-acronym to words-I-understand" ratio.  Beware non-techies.

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Motorola iRadio will be getting local, national, and international news spanning business, sports, entertainment, top news, technology, health, U.S. and International events, politics, science, and more, from Taldia's spectrum of content partners, including the Associated Press and US newspapers.

I love how the press release completely ignores the fact that iRadio has yet to go public:

Motorola iRadio® listeners can now customize their news radio experience by choosing from a wide selection of local, national and international news reports.

Right, great.  But what "iRadio listeners"?  I guess they're referring to the small number of people trying iRadio out in one of the four test markets (Chicago, LA, Phoenix. and Washington DC).

Most companies write in the present only when referring to publicly available products -- but not Motorola, these guys are CUTTING EDGE!!  ;)

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I thought I'd post the contents of the Get Heard Network newsletter in case you want to check it out, but don't feel like signing up for it.  Hopefully, the HTML won't complete screw up the site.  The email is from shopmotorola[at]messagemoto.com. (Are the email lists shared with Moto's online store mailing list?)  Anyway, here it is:

We know, we know, we never write, we never call. But we’ve been busy working on the service that can provide you with access to a nationwide audience of music and talk fans — Get Heard Network. In fact, our launch is just around the corner and it’s time for you to get ready to participate.

WHO CAN JOIN?   Any musician, independent label or podcaster with something to play, sing or say. That is…as long as you own the rights to the programming. No taking credit for other people’s work allowed.         HOW DO I GET STARTED?   When you join you will be creating your own radio station. Stations should be at least 3 hours in length and updated frequently, at least weekly, to keep your audience interested. You may want to get a jump on things by familiarizing yourself with audio encoding, RSS and XSPF. However, we know you want to focus on the music so details on how to publish your station will be provided soon, along with a list of companies that can help you get up and running without coughing up too much coin.         HOW DO I GET PAID?   Oh, sure, now we’ve got your attention. It’s true, as a member of Get Heard Network you get paid for your broadcast. We make payments directly to SoundExchange and publishing rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, which in turn pay you. The current statutory rate is $.007 cents per play. That’s unlike traditional AM/FM radio which pays zilch to SoundExchange artists and labels. So make sure you’ve registered with SoundExchange and your preferred publishing rights organizations.         HOW CAN I MAKE MY STATION UNIQUE?   Spice up the listening experience for your fans by including interviews with the band, behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive tracks. But don’t just take our suggestions, you’re creative types, use your imagination and make great radio.         WHAT'S NEXT?   Keep your eyes on your inbox for our next newsletter, loaded with info on technical allies, breaking iRadio news, and answers to common questions.

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Jimminy-kricket!  Another taste of iRadio launch-like action on the part of Motorola.  Motorola finally sent out its first-ever Get Heard Network newsletter to people (bands, label owners, talk show DJs, etc) who signed up to create iRadio "radio stations"...er, as far back as November of last year.  But hey, at least it's out.

Some interesting points from the email:

• DJs are recommended to be familiar with, "audio encoding, RSS and XSPF" and have at least three hours of programming prepared.  Yikes.
• DJs will be paid $.007 cents per listen for their programs.  Cool.
• Start-up is free.

Pretty cool.  More info at iRadio Get Heard Network.

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Hot diggity!  iRadio has in fact NOT fallen off of Motorola's product launch schedule.  Peggy Salz over at MocoNews interviewed Dave Ulmer about iRadio mobile content in general, and Motorola's plans for the space.

Some interesting takeaways:

Launch Date:  None given!  (Sigh.)  Dave only said that iRadio will be launched city-by-city.  It's currently being tested in DC, LA, Chicago and Phoenix.  (Note: That's only one more city than was being tested roughly a year ago.)

Carriers:  A major carrier is testing iRadio, and another is in the queue.  (Perhaps Cingular?)

Recommendation Engine:  Motorola's plan is to use an Amazon-like recommendation engine (suggestions based on what other listeners like) as opposed to a machine-engine (i.e. Pandora).  Dave spoke a TON about the long tail of talk radio, making comparisons with the user-generated contetn communities such as YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook.

Announcements:  Motorola will be announcing relationships with several "3-letter" networks over the next 90 days.

So, iRadio Waves has awoken from a deep slumber...  Check out an expanded summary of the interview, or listen to the entire 25-minute clip at MocoNews here.

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