In September 1991, the Internet, satellite radio, digital downloads, iPods and tablets weren't factors.

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The satellite will provide direct digital radio broadcasting to Africa for the Washington-based WorldSpace Corp.

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And despite some strength in digital cameras and iPods, weak satellite radio results took overall personal electronics sales down 9%.

FORBES: Magazine Article

And best of all for listeners, there's no subscription fee as there is with satellite radio--though digital-ready radios will likely sell at a sizable premium.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and satellite radio, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors.

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Slacker was founded in 2006 as a satellite radio company and pivoted to become a digital music service in 2010.

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Noah Samara, WorldSpace chairman, said the new system will use small satellite radio receivers about the size of current-day transistor radios and deliver digital quality sound.

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Sure, we've got satellite radio in the U.S. But the Brits have DAB digital audio broadcasts that are free over the air as long as you've got a DAB receiver (America's answer to DAB, HD radio, has a long way to go before it even comes close to DAB in terms of reach).

ENGADGET: Sonus 1XT DAB radio with voice navigation