A TiVo for Car Radio

I don’t know about anyone else out there, but after using TiVo and now a cable DVR for a few years, I’ve gotten so used to pausing and rewinding live TV that when I’m in the car and miss a song or news item I catch myself reaching for a rewind button that doesn’t exist. Well, the European Space Agency is working on the problem for me, it seems. The group has developed a prototype car radio that can do all the things your DVR can — pause, rewind and time shift on the radio dial.

The cache memory will most likely be flash-based to avoid problems from bumpy driving, and all of it is tied into a satellite beaming down radio signals, but instead of an antenna buyers will have to install a small satellite dish. Sounds like a roadblock to me, but considering the group is saying it will be more affordable than current satellite offerings like XM and Sirius, it probably has a shot at taking off. Plus, I won’t miss the score from last night’s game while driving to work anymore.

[ESA Satellite Radio Promises PVR-Like Features, DailyTech]

Comments

[Not such a great idea]

Great one more device to distract already distracted drivers. - It was bad enough when people ate, did their hair, read the paper, talking on cell phones, then came text messaging while driving - Now we'll have to worry if the guy in the car next to us was looking to rewind his radio to hear his favorite song from the 80's.

[Dave T.]

wait, are you talking about me? Honestly, in the grand scheme of things a "Back" or rewind button is nowhere near the distraction of texting while driving.

[Ryan]

What about the Sirius Sportster?
Does it not have a 44 minute pause and rewind feature??

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=ProductAsset&cid=1151350536210

[Mike D]

Where have you been? I've been pausing, rewinding, fastforwarding, and recording programming for over a year now with Sirius satellite radio. Another feature you may not be aware of is the artist or song alert. This is an excellent feature that alerts you that a favorite song or artist is about to play on another channel. You get a tone alert, press enter, and you're switched to the appropriate channel "before" the song starts. Do yourself a favor and get Sirius satellite radio. You like millions of others will never listen to FM again.

[Troy]

How about tuning into your favorite radio station and leaving all else alone? Better yet... A Cd or MP3 disc. I'm all about options and all but this is a little over the top. What's next? Microwave ovens in the car? Soon we will be living in our vehicles. Why buy a house?

[Dave T.]

we've tested a number of cars with sirius installed. None have a pause or rewind feature.

[JonesBoy]

Look harder..my aftermarket XM receiver has TiVo features - I've had it for over a year.