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Ford shows off Sirius Travel Link: real-time data for your navi
Sure, Microsoft's Sync isn't a half bad addition to the motorcars equipped with it, but this inclusion really gets the saliva glands working. Debuting at CES, the Sirius Travel Link system will enable owners to obtain "up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle's navigation system." More specifically, motorists will be able to fetch current gas prices from a database of stations, local, real-time traffic information in 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather information, sports scores and even movie listings. The system will officially launch in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and while specifics (like pricing) aren't mentioned, we do know that it'll be offered in "multiple" Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by the year's end.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Deal of the day: $50 Sirius gift card for $55
So we're starting to realize how Best Buy is pulling in record profits while the rest of the industry crashes and burns: it's the little things, you see. For instance, the ubiquitous big box retailer is offering a $50 pre-paid Sirius gift card on its online site for the bargain price of only $55; a $5 markup for a little voucher whose "holiday version" can be purchased three lines below for the normal price -- that is, if it wasn't somehow sold out online. (How hard is it to print up a new batch of those things, anyway?) The distraught customer could head to Best Buy's XM section, where $55 gift cards only cost $55, or he or she could simply click over to rival Circuit City, where not only does the same $50 card actually cost $50, it's available immediately and not backordered one to two weeks.Update: Looks like the price has changed to $50, which is certainly good for you, the consumer, but perhaps not so good for you, the Best Buy shareholder, who will now surely be a victim of plunging profits this quarter.[Via Orbitcast]
Analyst says XM / Sirius merger won't be affected by Congressional letter
It looks like a recent letter from two members of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee to Attorney General Michael Mukasey won't be enough to derail the seemingly inevitable XM / Sirius merger, at least according to one of those ever-present analysts. As OrbitCast reports, Representatives John Conyers and Steve Chabot had complained that Justice Department staff "may be trying to rush through the merger" before the Attorney General himself had time to fully participate, and that "Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Thomas O. Barnett may intend to grant the merger over the objections of department staff." According to the AP, however, Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. analyst Blair Levin says that while the final outcome is indeed a "close call," he believes that "the department will give its blessing," paving the way for the FCC to give its go-ahead.[Via OrbitCast]
Copyright Royalty Board sets new satellite radio license fees
It's not nearly as hotly-debated as the change to the webcasting rates, but our nation's esteemed Copyright Royalty Board has just issued a new set of license fees for satellite broadcasters -- also known as Sirius and XM. The new rates come after a year of legal wrangling -- the main point of contention was hashing out what revenue to measure to determine the license fees, and it looks like the broadcasters won on this one -- advertising and subscriptions count, but not hardware sales and data services. That said, the rates still look like they're pretty fair, all around: the six-year plan has the companies paying six percent of applicable revenues through 2008, 6.5 percent in 2009, seven percent in 2010, 7.5 percent in 2011, and eight percent in 2012. Of course, hopefully by then that pesky merger will finally be completed, so the rates will have to be adjusted further, but it's nice to know that the tunes are going to keep coming for a while longer.[Via OrbitCast]
XM / Sirius merger decision coming today?
Over nine months after the two satellite radio companies announced their intentions to merge, XM and Sirius may finally find out the fate of their plans today, if the Justice Department issues a ruling as is being rumored. Orbitcast reports that the general consensus among industry watchers is that the DOJ will hand down a decision before the closing bell on Wall Street -- a prediction further buoyed by Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck, whose contacts in DC claim that a ruling is "imminent." As you're probably well aware, this proposed marriage is no ordinary merger, with strong opposition coming from terrestrial broadcasters who cite anti-trust concerns, but who are really just fearful of the market power such an entity would yield. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops...
Sirius shareholders on board for XM deal
No surprise here, but Sirius shareholders voted overwhelmingly today to approve the $5 billion acquisition of XM. Those kids with the cash are behind the deal 96 percent strong, and Sirius says it hopes to finish the deal by the end of the year, with some obvious regulatory hurdles to clear first. C'mon FCC and DoJ, we know you want to do the right thing here, make it happen.
Jesse Jackson speaks out against the Sirius / XM merger
The proposed Sirius / XM merger has always ruffled a few feathers at the NAB (and the NAB has certainly ruffled back), but it's another thing entirely when a national political figure like Jesse Jackson comes out opposed to the deal. Jackson, who spoke at the FCC hearings on the merger yesterday, said that allowing Sirius and XM to combine would essentially create a monopoly in the satellite radio market, eliminating the potential for diverse ownership and possibly squelching minority voices on the dial. Control of the media has always been a hot-button issue for activists of all stripes, and we can certainly see why Jackson would oppose such a merger on those grounds, but another organizations with a similar agenda, the NAACP, has actually issued statements supporting the merger, saying that combined, XM / Sirius would ""strengthen its commitment to diversity." It's obviously a thorny issue with a lot of viewpoints, so please -- let's keep the comments civil, shall we?
Onkyo intros the HT-SP908 and HT-SP904 do-it-all home theater systems
Have you ever been sitting at home at night, looking at your 19-inch CRT television and listening to your Victrola phonograph and thought, "Shazam! This setup stinks!"? Well, perhaps you're in dire need of an introduction to Onkyo's HT-SP908, a home theater in a box which does everything... and we mean everything. The progressive-scannin', multi-format-playin', 7.1 system offers 90-watts per channel, an iPod dock, XM and SIRIUS radio compatibility, 720p / 1080i / 1080p upscaling, 1080i and 1080p HDMI in / out, component in / out, optical and coaxial audio in / out, plus playback of DVD Video, Video CS, CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+/-R/RW, MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG 4-AAC, DivX, and JPEG formats. If that's not enough, it also makes lunch, breaks up with annoying girlfriends, and organizes your t-shirts by color. The HT-SP908 is available now for $1099, a slimmed-down, 5.1 version called the HT-SP904 is also currently on shelves for $899.Read -- HT-SP908Read -- HT-SP904
NAB pleads for FCC delay, looks for ways to subvert XM / Sirius merger
As the constant battle between the National Association of Broadcasters and nearly everyone else continues on over the potential XM / Sirius merger, the entity is now asking the FCC to put a stop on the 180-day clock for considering the junction. Reportedly, all the NAB wants is "time to go through documents it said it is getting through a Freedom of Information Request filed in March," and it seemingly feels that some of the articles it's still waiting for contain proof of "serious apparent wrongdoing by XM and Sirius executive and senior-level employees regarding the operation of FM modulators / translators and / or terrestrial repeaters." Of note, both of the aforementioned sat radio providers shot back by stating that the NAB's "allegations are unfounded and its recent filing is just an attempt to stall the process." From the outside looking in, we'd say that sounds just about right. [Warning: PDF read link][Via BroadcastingCable]
FCC clears low end Sirius Stratus 4 radio
Nothing too exciting here, but it looks like the FCC didn't have any problems with Sirius's latest low end offering, with the company's new Stratus 4 radio now cleared for release. This one comes complete with a vehicle docking station, and is also compatible with the company's Universal Plug and Play Home Kit, its Universal Plug and Play Vehicle Kit, and its SUBX1 Universal Boombox. Otherwise, it looks like you can expect only the most basic functionality, and the most basic price, with the radio set to pack an MSRP of just $50 when it's released sometime this fall.
Pioneer intros Elite X-Z9 audio system
Pioneer hasn't forgotten the audiophiles out there, and their new X-Z9 is for those who still listen to stereo music. The X-Z9 combines a SACD/CD deck and integrated digital amplifier (50W to each channel) in one chassis. All you have to do is connect the included speakers and you've got an audio listening station. In case you prefer music of the ripped variety, there are additional inputs available: Sirius/XM; interoperation with a PC via Home Media Gallery; iPod integration and USB drives. Supported digital formats include WMA, MPEG4-AAC, MP3 and FLAC. Available in October for $1799.
Polk intros multi-stream SR-H1000 Sirius receiver
Those looking to add a little Sirius content to their home theater system now have yet another option from Polk Audio in the form of its new SR-H1000 receiver, which will also let you spread those satellite signals to other rooms in your house. That latter feature is made possible with the separate SC-H1 Home Connect Tuner, which you can also hook up to any old TV to view song and channel information. According to Electronic House, the main unit will also store up to 44 minutes of content with its Instant Replay feature, and it boasts so-called Game Alert and Game Zone feature to ensure you don't miss a minute of your favorite games. While there doesn't appear to be any word on how much extra the Home Connect Tuner will cost, the main SR-H1000 unit will reportedly set you back about $350 when it's released sometime this month.
Pioneer intros well-spec'd AVIC-N4 in-dash navigation system
Less than a month after Pioneer loosed details on its AVIC-X3, along comes word that we can also expect an AVIC-N4 in the not-too-distant future. This single-DIN unit boasts a motorized, flip-out seven-inch touchscreen, optional iPod / Bluetooth compatibility, CD or DVD playback, XM / XM NavTraffic-readiness, and a Tele Atlas database for routing you around. Regrettably, the lack of an internal HDD means that you'll be forced to insert the map DVDs in order to access guidance, but users can feel free to toss in discs with MP3, WMA, AAC, or DivX files when the drive is clear. Furthermore, the unit can even accept tunes streamed in wirelessly from a mobile handset when utilizing the CD-BTB200 adapter, as it understands both A2DP and AVRCP protocols. So, now that you've found a satisfactory replacement for that aging factory head-unit, you've only got to scrounge up $1,600 to make the swap.[Via NaviGadget]
New Pioneer Elite A/V receivers hit the streets
We've checked out the deets on two of Pioneer's new A/V receivers in their Elite range, the VSX-92TXH and VSX-94TXH and now they are finally shipping. As you'd expect from the Elite moniker, these units are pretty packed with goodies. They're both THX approved, 7.1 channel receivers rated at 130 and 140 Watts per channel, respectively. These are fully HD-ready by any sensible definition of "HD". For your eyes, they can pass 1080p, 24Hz video along their four HDMI 1.3a ports. Upscaling of analog video is handled by a Faroudja DCDi chip for all your digitally-deficient components. For your ears, these receivers handle Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio audio signals. If you can't get enough THX goodness in your theater, these units also have Neural-THX Surround, the latest in audio trickery to get your ears to suspend disbelief. There's the usual gaggle of inputs on these units, on top of which Pioneer has added iPod, XM and Sirius device support. [Thanks, Mark]
Polk Audio delivers miDock Portfolio for your Stiletto
Although Polk Audio has made its miDock Portfolio available for your iPod in the past, it's about time that Stiletto receiver of yours received the same treatment. The SLPTD1, which can be powered with two AA cells or an AC adapter, was crafted to play nice with the Sirius Stiletto 10, 100, and shiny new Stiletto 2, and as any portable speaker station should, this one folds flat for easy travel, comes bundled with a protective case, boasts a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack, and even arrives with a "windowsill antenna." Look for it to land this October for around $129.99.[Via MobileWhack]
Hands on with the Sportster 5, SCV1 tuner, and Sonos with Sirius
Hey all you Sportster fans out there, don't think we forgot about you in the midst of all the Stiletto 2 excitement. Sirius let us snap a few shots of this latest iteration in their popular line of dock-and-play radios, but frankly, you'll probably get a better feel for its color screen in the professionally done press photos here than from the handful of shaky pics we managed to fire off. A little more exciting are the live shots we got of the upcoming SCV1 backseat tuner and kid-friendly remote, along with a sample of the video feed -- none of which were in the press material sent out today. Also of interest to Sonos owners out there will be the screenshots of Sirius doing its streaming thing over the multi-zone system -- and while the GUI is certainly tight, we weren't paying enough attention to really attest to the quality of low bitrate audio they're offering. Click below for all the hands-on goodness... %Gallery-5937%
Hands on with the Sirius Stiletto 2
Alright, so it's really not all that much different than its predecessor in terms of functionality, but you gotta love the slightly sleeker design and bulked up WiFi of the new Sirius Stiletto 2 -- and the ability to add more tunes via microSD doesn't hurt, either. Not a lot to say about this one that we haven't covered with the original -- i.e. if you weren't happy with issues like reception or content restriction, you probably won't be into the sequel either -- so instead of rehashing the specs for the zillionth time, we'll let you get right to the gallery... %Gallery-5933%
Sirius teams up with Sonos for wireless multi-room audio
Satellite radio provider Sirius really is busy today, announcing a bunch of products, and also a collaboration with Sonos to deliver wireless multi-room streaming Sirius content via broadband. By updating to version 2.3 software, the Sonos hardware can directly connect to Sirius Internet Radio and stream throughout any of the 32 supported zones. Current Sonos owners can also get a 30-day trial to Sirius to try out the system, and decide whether compressed audio sounds better in the bathroom than it does from their computer speakers.
Sirius delights the kiddies with SCV1 backseat TV tuner
Sirius is seriously on a roll today. Clearly not content with debuting its Stiletto 2 and Sportster 4 portable receivers, the satellite powerhouse has officially announced its SCV1, aka Backseat TV, aka The Child-Silencer (our name). If you've ever been on a road-trip with a couple of bundles of joy, you'll understand how helpful this particular technology could be. The new receiver is able to grab both radio and TV signals, allowing it to pull down Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network on TV screens in the backseat (for the joy bundles) while it streams music or talk up front (for you). The system offers a "kid friendly" remote for controlling Backseat content, while the "adult" section is operated by a separate, wired remote. The radio can also be controlled via Sirius-compatible aftermarket headunits. The SCV1 will be available in the 4th quarter of 2007, and will run you $299.99 for the unit, plus an additional $6.99 for TV service each month -- but hey -- that's a small price to pay for a quiet drive.
Sirius intros Sportster 5 dock-and-play radio
Sirius is apparently busy today, since hot on the heels of its announcement concerning the Stiletto 2 comes word of the brand-spanking-new Sportster 5. Updating its year-old Sportster 4 model, the new desktop- or dashboard-seated satellite receiver boasts a 6-line, multicolor display, the ability to pause or rewind through 60 minutes of live radio, a real-time sports news ticker, storage for 30 preset stations, an FM transmitter or line out for connecting to audio sources, and comes with a full vehicle kit for mounting in your car, truck, or 50-foot yacht. Weighing in at 3.7-ounces, this is apparently the lightest Sportster ever, so you don't have to feel bad about making the kids carry it from the car to the house. Now all you have to do is decide how many you'll need to buy. Available this Fall for $169.99. Peep the gallery for higher-res action.%Gallery-5928%
