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Delphi's SkyFi3 receives FCC blessing
Even though CNET was able to get its grubby hands on a test unit to review, the SkyFi3 was apparently not yet really, really approved by the FCC for sale en masse. Nevertheless, Delphi had a right to feel confident, as the oh-so-powerful agency has officially given its blessing to the on-the-go XM device, and assured us all that it doesn't boast excessive transmission power which could prove harmful to our health radio firms' wealth. Dodging the ever-popular bullet of broadcasting signals too intense for humanity's well being, the SkyFi3 is free and clear to hit shelves "this holiday season" for $229, while "some retailers" will reportedly bundle in the $49 Live Wearable Kit (SA10252) for free during those mad end-of-year promotions. [Thanks, Dustin]
Delphi's SkyFi3 portable XM radio recorder / DAP reviewed
Now that the SkyFi3 is finally on the market and presumably safe from the RIAA / FCC, Delphi's jack-of-all-trades has been deemed a success -- at least mostly, anyway. The folks over at CNET were able to give the portable XM recorder / DAP hybrid a thorough once over, and they were fairly impressed with its functionality, but less than thrilled with its build quality and lack of an integrated receiver. Reviewers admired the "expansive and bright 2.8-inch display," 30 minutes of XM recording capacity, and the ability to playback your own MP3 / WMA files via the built-in microSD slot. It was noted, however, that the "budget build quality" left a lot to be desired, and the inability to listen to XM on the go without purchasing the "optional goofy headphones" was certainly not a strong point. The player, while not perfect, did perform as advertised, and was deemed a "flexible solution for home, car, and on the go for those who don't want to spend big bucks." But if you're looking to spend more time tuning in to XM Live on your daily run than in your daily commute, you may want to consider the lackluster "90 minute" battery life (when utilizing that oh-so-draining headphone receiver) before throwing down.
