MyFi: Portable XM satellite radio player now available
If you're an XM Satellite radio fan, you'll be happy to
hear that Delphi and XM's MyFi, the world's first
Walkman-style satellite radio, is now on sale. MyFi
streams XM's 130-channels and records up to 5 hours of programming on its 128MB drive, enough for you to walk the dog
around the block 600 times. Of course, you have to be a really BIG fan to pony up the $350 bucks for the radio, plus
the $10 monthly subscription fee—we'll wait to see if version 2.0 is cheaper and has more features (like being able to
transfer songs to your PC and vice versa), and is bit less, um, fugly.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MikeV @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
It might now be OFFICIALLY available, but people have been picking it up for the past week or two from their local Circuit City stores or their web site...
Mitch G @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
I have wanted a "MyFi" ever since I first heard about it...so when I was fortunate to find one available before the official release date, I drove extra miles to buy it from an out-of-town store.
After reading the manual, charging the battery and then activating XM so I could receive all the channels, I fired it up. The reason I wanted a portable unit like the MyFi was not just for all the high-tech features, but because it also had a "built-in" XM antenna. However, I found indoor XM reception best if connected to one of the included "external" antennas at certain locations.
For using MyFi with your home stereo, a larger antenna is provided and recommended it be placed in front of a south window. Then from the menu on the device, select antenna-tuning to seek your highest signal strength by slowly turning the antenna until you see three bars in the display.
For use in a vehicle, another provided antenna is intended for outside placement, preferably placed near your FM antenna. Be prepared to run a long cable from the interior to the outside of the vehicle to where the receiver will be placed. You may of course choose to use the device's built-in antenna instead, but for best results, use the external antenna. In either case to hear XM from the MyFi through your vehicle's sound system, you have the option to transmit to your FM radio, use the cassette player with the supplied kit, or a direct hard-wire (requires a professional installer).
For outside use, a third external antenna is supplied for clipping to your clothing or a backpack if you experience weak XM reception. This antenna is the smallest of the three and is cylindrical shaped, lightweight and includes a clip or a suction cup for convenience. It is intended for areas around tall buildings, trees, mountains or where signal strength is weak. Otherwise, this is where the devices "built-in" antenna should suffice.
On the positive side, the MyFi is loaded with many useful features including; Built-in FM transmitter to make any FM radio an XM radio, time-shifting memory mode capable of storing up to five hours of XM programming, a personalized stock and sports ticker and much more. When you can receive a strong signal, the sound quality is excellent and there is a fantastic selection of XM stations. It is a good-looking, compact, lightweight device, with easy to use controls and menu selection, packaged with many accessories.
If you plan to use MyFi primarily for outside use, it is a great personal and portable XM satellite radio. But for use in a vehicle or indoors, the internal antenna has signal limitations since it requires a clear satellite view for optimum results. Even though I was probably among to first to own one, I ended up returning the device for a refund. It just didn't meet my expectations.
PJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Cut the price in half and you will have a customer. Tell me it is also compatible with the evil TimeTrax and you will have a customer forever.
Chameleon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Too bad the name isn't originally theirs... See the URL in my name for an explanation.
The original use of the name was and is far better.
Satelite radio is stupid. Get a Neuros and be your own radio station and more.
Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Sorry to hear Mitch G. sent his back. Granted the price tag is a bit heavy (though I stumbled across a Best Buy that tagged the devices improperly and got a real bargain -- not the first time either, what's up with that store?) but I too hunted mine down as soon as I found out they were available early.
I'm a radio nut -- listen to everything: SW, MW, FM, the higher frequencies, a little scanning on the side, internet radio and now XM. I have to say I love this device. I've got mine set up on a desk nowhere near a window and the reception is fantastic. The built in FM transmitter beams my signal all over the frickin' neighborhood (my neighbors were listening to my signal last night :-) and the sound quality is far better than I expected.
Having the ability to transfer recorded files directly to my computer would be great, but I'm so used to recording directly to my Mac that it really isn't a big deal for me. I've been waiting for this device to get XM radio and I'm not at all disappointed.
Oh, and fugly? Bah! You should see how it lights up!
Marlon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Being able to listen to Opie & Anthony non stop, it's much gooder.
Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
The CEO of XM made the announcement yesterday (right after the MyFi 'officially' is publically available) that he expects satellite radio to be available on cellphones within the next 5 years. I guess the MyFi is their attempt to step in that direction.
More on http://www.orbitcast.com
Allen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Just got the MyFi today---very well thought out device. Not to repeat other posters or specs generally available, I'll just add that operation is very intuitive, and I like the thumbwheel on the side that scrolls through channels, and lets you depress it to tune to the selected channel. One very cool feature allows you to enter favorite song or artist names, and whenever any XM channel is playing a relevant selection, it beeps and lets you tune to that channel instantly. The TIVO-like scheduling is great, and I plan to load up lots of content so I can listen on airplane flights. You wouldn't think you could grow tired of 30 gig of iPod music, but I am looking forward to having something fresh to listen to.
Oh, and read the manual. There are lots of clever and useful features I doubt I would have stumbled upon by fooling around.
Allen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Just got the MyFi today---very well thought out device. Not to repeat other posters or specs generally available, I'll just add that operation is very intuitive, and I like the thumbwheel on the side that scrolls through channels, and lets you depress it to tune to the selected channel. One very cool feature allows you to enter favorite song or artist names, and whenever any XM channel is playing a relevant selection, it beeps and lets you tune to that channel instantly. The TIVO-like scheduling is great, and I plan to load up lots of content so I can listen on airplane flights. You wouldn't think you could grow tired of 30 gig of iPod music, but I am looking forward to having something fresh to listen to.
Oh, and read the manual. There are lots of clever and useful features I doubt I would have stumbled upon by fooling around.
Vince Cannuscio @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
The unit came in today with defective earbuds, when I called for the warranty they told me I had to pay to ship back the defective earbuds first before they would send me another pair. A three dollar earbuds and I have to pay for the shipping. I can't imagine what's going to happen when I have a real problem. What's with this Adelphi company. The service representative practically laughed at me. I'm already sorry I've done business with them.
Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Dec. 12,04
I just saw the ad on TV for the portable player. I thought right away, 'bout time. Now I can walk about the shore and listen to blues and jazz all day. BUT, the price swept that idea out to sea. Come on now, don't you think that $350 is a bit over the top? In my opion, this is a very bad marketing mistake, very short sighted.
Sheri @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
My husband loves the satelite radio in his SUV so I thought a portable satellite radio would be a perfect a gift for him...until I saw the price. You can't be serious - the manufacturer must not want many customers. Count me in when you knock about $100 off the price.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Got one for Christmas. Very nice unit but one major problem with the recorded content. There is no way to fast forward or rewind within a block of audio. Not a big deal for most music but if you record talk shows you have to listen to 21 minutes in a row and don't try to rewind a bit or you just start your twenty one minutes over.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Yeah, the missing FF and REW is a real mistake. Even 8 track had FF.
Shawn @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
JUST BOUGHT A MYFI IM LOVING IT BETTER BUY OF MY MONEY COMPARED TO THE EXTREMLY OVER RATED IPODS. I MEAN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IT TAKES TO FILL UP A IPOD WITH MUSIC A 100% I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE GET THE REAL WITH LIFE!!!! UNLESS YOU OWN APPLE CORP YOUR INSANE TO INVEST UPWARDS OF $10,000 FOR A OVERWEIGHT MP3 PLAYER!!!!! DEATH TO APPLE !!!!! XM RULES!!!!
Amanda C @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Someone tell me why I have to buy the car kit and the home kit regardless. I just want the portable player. I live in the city, and I don't even use a car! I am still waiting for them to sell the portable player by itself for under $200. Maybe someday I could enjoy satellite radio too, but not until they give me more options and a lower price!
Jack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
I have wanted a MYFi since before they came up with the idea. We have 1 talk radio station in my area and They are often not live with the talk shows.
The price is too high for what you are getting , after all, it's just a radio, you can buy a portable radio for $10, am , fm and cassett tapes.
I know the price will come down before / after Christmas so I will wait, if it doesn't come down, they not only loss a $350 sale, but my $10 a month for the rest of my life!
Taken Aback @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Yes Virginia....there is a cheaper MyFi.
If your ear has been to the ground recently, then you may have heard that more XM2Go models are coming. Well folks, they're here, and they aren't an improvement.
They are the Giant "Tao", and the Pioneer "Airware". Both models include the full car and home kits that the standard MyFi kit offers, and sadly, the same price as well.
This a bit surprising when it comes to the Tao, as it's literally the OEM version of the MyFi, except with a different black finished shell. Giant, who makes the MyFi for Delphi, has trotted this out in an effort to cash in as well, but instead of the savings you'd expect without the Delphi branding, the unit is still close to $300. The Airware, on the other hand, looks quite different. It is narrower, looking a bit less like an iPod than the other two, bit more like a iPod mini, or a cell phone. It's also less ergonomic in design, with its controls laid out in a grid pattern. It also will retail for around the same price.
At the moment, the MyFi is the way to go, except for that pesky price due to the included car and home accessory kits, which has come down closer to $200, but still ain't cheap.
Delphi, in anticipation of the new XM2Go models, has come to a conclusion...sell the MyFi alone. It's called the MyFi "Lite" and is basically the same unit, but with earbuds and a charger alone. It currently sells for around $100 (You can all breathe a sigh of relief now) ;)
If that is still a stretch for you, then there are alternatives like http://www.freemyfi.info
However you get it, you'll be glad you did.
Good luck!
mark a. canevaro @ Dec 19th 2005 2:50AM
Just got the MyFi through an XM promtional web-site. I have to pre-pay for 3 months (which I can then switch to my cheaper plan when the 3 months expire). The price of the MyFi..$99.00.