RSSSirius' Live Portable Finally Arrives
By Ed Oswald | Published September 26, 2006, 11:07 AM
After several delays and false starts, Sirius on Tuesday launched its first wearable live radio, nearly two years behind competitor XM. The device, to be available by the end of the month, includes Wi-Fi connectivity, recording functionality and Yahoo music purchasing software.
Called the Stiletto, up to 100 hours of content would be able to be stored on the device. The Wi-Fi connectivity would allow for a connection to Sirius Internet radio service where such connectivity is available, and the unit can play most MP3 and WMA, including PlaysForSure content.
It is unclear what may have delayed Sirius' first portable unit, although it may have something to do with the FM modulator functionality of the unit. Both XM and Sirius have had to halt device production to make changes to their devices in order to make them FCC compliant.
Like XM's XM+Napster agreement, Sirius has signed a similar deal with Yahoo. A user would be able to bookmark a song while listening to the Stiletto, which then would be automatically downloaded when the device is synced with a computer.
Other features include a 2.2-inch color LCD display, the capability to pause and replay up to 60 minutes of live content, as well as functionality to alert sports fans when favorite teams are being broadcast on the service.
The Stiletto package includes a standard and slim battery, AC power adapter, earphones, antenna, and a PC cable. Available kits would either allow the user to connect the device to listen at home, in the car, or in the office.
At a retail price of $349.95 USD, the device runs at the high end of competing units. XM's line of XM2go live portables includes devices that are priced similarly to the Stiletto, however the cheapest of them retail for as little as $99.95 USD after mail-in rebates.
The new premium online radio service Sirius offers is excellent. It streams at 128Kbps. Amazing sound for streaming audio. I think this is where Sirius advances in their takeover of the satellite market. So don't think you will have to listen to poor quality 32Kbps audio on your Stilleto, it will be near CD quality 128Kbps.
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|You can save the songs from the service (it's called the Love button, a Sirius-ism) without using Yahoo or a computer. You can also tag songs to buy via Yahoo. You will supposedly eventually be able to buy from Yahoo using your Stiletto without a computer. The Stiletto supports Wifi, so it can stream and interact (and firmware upgrade) via WiFi instead of using a computer. It also has a regular traditional Satellite receiver, so it can be used with the sats for On the Go use.
People really need to read the specs and maybe even the manual before making assumptions.
--D
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|Sounds like Sirus is trying to catch up to the Inno or Helix.
If I read the article correcty, you need to connect the device to a PC to download the songs you bookmark?? If that's so, XM beats Sirus hands down, because I can record music on the fly with my Helix and if I want extra content I can logon to Napster and download the songs that are available.
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|And not even any of Oprah's great wisdom to listen to!
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|To little far to late.
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