Delphi's SkyFi3: the first portable XM radio and MP3 player with removable storage

With production back in full swing, Delphi looks set to drop the SkyFi3 into the XM Satellite Radio mix. While not officially announced, you can find the portable unit with car kit up on JJI Electronics website (and others) ready for pre-order. For a low, low $200, you'll get a 2.8-inch screen, 30-minute pause and replay, 5-hour rechargeable battery, car kit with remote control, and just like the Pioneer Inno, the ability to tag songs you hear on XM for later purchase on Napster. Not bad right? But what makes this pup hot is that it looks to be the first satellite radio with removable storage for storing up to 10 hours of XM programming or as many MP3, WMA, or WAV files as you can stuff onto a $90 or so 2GB microSD card. First shipments are expected in late October -- assuming the RIAA doesn't step in, that is. Another picture with home kit and car kit docks after the break.

[Via orbitcast, Thanks Michael P]

[Howard Stern @ Sep 15th 2006 7:50AM]

Who cares "Sirius is selling more than cellphones" - Myself

[Scott @ Sep 15th 2006 7:55AM]

Cool unit. Let me do some math for a second. That will be XM's 8th "portable type radio". If its released before the Stilleto, Sirius only has 1 "portable type radio". Dont you just love technology?

[Kurt @ Sep 15th 2006 8:24AM]

That is the unit I have been waiting for. I hate the fact that the Inno won't let you pause live radio. I much prefer the pausing to recording.

[Anthony @ Sep 15th 2006 8:32AM]

Will this one play live feeds without the dock or the "wearable live kit"?

[evilc @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:38PM]

No. This unit does not have a built in antenna so you'll need the portable kit

[obb @ Sep 15th 2006 8:44AM]

"Will this one play live feeds without the dock or the "wearable live kit"?"

no. this is not a true "wearable" device like the Pioneer Inno or Samsung Helix

[Scott @ Sep 15th 2006 8:44AM]

Number 4. No. The unit will only receive live programming with the wearable kit (sold separately). Im sure it will be similar to the one for the Roady XT. But this one wont need a battery. And before anyone asks i dont think you will be able to record more than the 30 minute buffer. With removable storage the RIAA would be all over this unit. Great job XM. Im sure its tinnnnnny. Just like the Nexus's.

[Mike P @ Sep 15th 2006 8:52AM]

I for one am very disapointed. I wanted more pause time and for multiple channels... I know it would require multiple tuners but they could have tied the tuners to the first few presets.

With the shrinking technology advances, they could have continued to use the old SkyFi form factor and added the aditional tuners,internal memory, and the new expansion slots.

Now my investment in docking cradles in the house and our family vehicles is wasted if I wish to upgrade.

[frank the frowner @ Sep 15th 2006 9:24AM]

party rock.

[hesh @ Sep 15th 2006 9:44AM]

You know how I know you're gay?

[OnA Pest @ Sep 15th 2006 9:50AM]

hoohoohoo, tell em fred.. Hey uhh, rob-en, im gonna take the howie copter and fly to the hamptons, hoohoohoo

[ahigee @ Sep 15th 2006 9:50AM]

This device is true portable just like the inno and Helix. It has an integrated tuner unlike the neXus.

[RAMONNNNEEE @ Sep 15th 2006 12:37PM]

RAMMMOONNNNEEE...get me my Sky Fi 3

[Ectoplasm @ Sep 15th 2006 2:55PM]

Delphi, FINALLY releases something new. I keep seeing all these cool looking Sirius models, and have seen nothing from Delphi. They never did release a color MyFi XM2Go to my knowledge.

Since this is a SkyFi, is it meant to be flipped sideways in your car?

[Howie Stern Hoo @ Sep 15th 2006 3:02PM]

Hooo Hooo "I invented Satellite Radio"
Hooo Hooo "I have the power to cancel David Lettermans O&A Interview"
Hooo Hooo "Robin, let me just go on vaction for 4 weeks and run reapeats"

RAMMMOONNNNEEE...get me my Sky Fi 3

[Jason @ Sep 15th 2006 3:31PM]

MicroSD? Why does this format even exist? MiniSD not mini enough for ya? Regular SD should even be small enough for something like this. Thanks for making us buy yet another card.

[XM Fan @ Sep 16th 2006 8:00PM]

This product looks absolutly awesome. MP3/WMA/wav support AND storing live XM content. finally a product with these features with a large size screen for my car but yet portable as well.

Awesome!

Where can I preorder?

[Average Radio Listener @ Sep 17th 2006 9:48PM]

I don't need this to listen to Opie and Anthony and music with commercials! I can get all that for FREE on my FM radio.

[Robin @ Oct 3rd 2006 12:56AM]

Oh Howie! XM is stealing from you again!

[a$$eater @ Mar 28th 2007 10:19AM]

I like the idea so I purchased one down loaded the firm ware up grades. it is very glitchy.. the internal 3 hr batt. is not removable the unit crashes and locks up, the only thing u can do is wait for the batt to die when it freezes up. I hope they fix it because im already all in do yourself a favor and get an older style unit.
(missing 3 hrs of O+A cause the unit crashes really blows.)

[docsharp01 @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:14PM]

Excellent article about XM satellite radio because it
is the future of satellite radio communications.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-Radio.html

[varimon @ Sep 15th 2008 7:42PM]

the unit froze up on me as well. all you have to do is hold Volume + and the Mode button and it will reset