New XM Portables
I'm a huge fan of satellite radio, but that's probably because I'm a giant dork who loves '80s music. And let's face it--no self-respecting commercial radio station could survive on playing Wham, the Go-Go's, and Corey Hart day in and day out.
Early last year, the first wave of handheld XM Radio devices came out from Delphi, Tao, and Pioneer. But the radios weren't exactly small. Or light. Or ultra-portable. Like, you wouldn't want to run a marathon with them.
This year, things are different. Both Pioneer and Samsung have introduced super-small (think cell-phone size) XM portable radios. The Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix both feature color screens, room for 50 hours of XM content (that you can time-shift), and the ability to store and play MP3s and WMAs from the internal Flash drive. You can also bookmark songs you hear, which lets you easily purchase them later from the XM + Napster Website (songs cost 99 cents).
Look for these devices to hit the street in March or April for a price of $399. In other words, you have three months to save your cash.
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If you love 80's music like I do you would be unhappy with XM's Channel 08. I need a little harder rock and roll from the 80's. Did you ever listen to KROQ from the Los Angeles area in that time period? Find me a station like that......
Doc
drglass@doctor4u.com
Are these devices really portable radios? I thought that these devices can only tune into the XM signal when they are in their docking station. I listen to my XM radio (particularly ESPN radio)on the go and really don't want to listen to it on time shift. I like having access to all the XM channels anywhere I go ...
Maybe maybe my understanding is wrong. Can anyone clear this up?
the author leaves out the most important thing that this device is not really portable. the device must be docked to receive the satellite signals.
people these days want instant news and analysis. what's the use if you have to wait 'till you go home.
why they didnt they add a mp3 player to the current myfi device? I was ready to shell out money for this but now I will have to wait another year to purchase this.
maybe they will get it right in 2007. I understand XM does not want to infrindge on copyright laws for music but this will not do.
No, both of these are truly portable as they have antennas built-in. This is already in there current line of XM2go radios.
Actually.. I did some looking into it... The Inno and Helix both can recieve live sattelite signals when away from the base.
The previously announced NeXus must be docked.
hey if either of them do better at picking up satellite while walking, working with them than my mifi has i'll be happy. I love the myfi but the one drag is the inability to consistently get signal while walking/working outside etc... i don't mind time shifting but that doesn't exactly work for yankees games :-)
Sirius's "portable" radio requires docking, as does XM's new Nexus units. Inno and Helix are truly portable.
Well Chris, turns out the author was right all along, and you were off-base. So suck it!
my mifi rocks but these new ones are going to blow it out of the water. i didn't even know about these until i heard e-lo on the Opie and Anthony show. I'll be saving my cash and use my mifi as a spare unit or give it to my bro or something.
Try the boneyard (XM 41) for all your hairband needs....i can't wait for these to hit the street...DOWN WITH THE DOGGY COMPANY!!!
O&A Party Rock! This device is going to be so cool. I'll wait for the price to come down a bit and then I'll bite. Of course, there will still be critics that say it's still too big with not enough memory. What do these people want, a credit card with 200 hrs of staorage? We'll get there soon enough people. Of course, XM will get there first!
XM just added a new channel, 49, the jist of it is 80's rock. There some other stuff thrown in for good measure. Ive only seen it on for a few days so I could be off a little on the content.
How about combining it with internet e-mail access.
Can you only listen with earphones?