SlackerG2
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Slacker phases out hardware business, focuses on other devices
It's not exactly a huge surprise considering we haven't even heard so much as a whisper about a new Slacker device as of late, but it looks like company president Jim Cady has now finally confirmed that Slacker will indeed be phasing out its hardware business altogether. At the moment, that business consists entirely of the Slacker G2 personal radio, which will still be available "though at least the first half of next year," and offers a number advantages over the Slacker app for other devices. Those apps (and Slacker's online music service) will be the company's sole focus from here on out, however, so we'll no doubt see some expanded functionality sooner or later -- especially considering that Slacker has apparently raised a "few more million" dollars in funding on the basis of its new mobile strategy. [Via Zatz Not Funny]
Slacker G2 gets reviewed
Slacker must have figured our jetsetter friends at Gadling needed some more tunes for their travels, because it hooked them up with an early review unit of the new Slacker G2 WiFi radio. Nothing much has changed about the Slacker service, which basically auto-downloads your choice of pre-programmed channels to the 4 or 8GB or internal storage over WiFi (you can get on Wayport and AT&T hotspots using Devicescape), but the G2 hardware is significantly revised, with a new slimmer, curvaceous shape with relocated controls, glossy front, and premium headphones. We're up in the air over whether the optional $90/year or $10/mo premium service fees are worth it, especially now that Zune 3.0 also does pre-programmed Channels with the $15 Zune Pass, but if you're interested hit up the read link for the full-on review.
Slacker G2 WiFi radio gets more personal thanks to the FCC
A lovely picture like this can mean only one thing -- the fine feds over at the FCC are leaking another unannounced product. You're looking at the new Slacker G2 WiFi radio which appears to have slimmed down from the original Slacker Portable while moving the skip and play/pause buttons to the front of a the device. A peek at the guts reveals a Broadcom BCM4325GKFBG chip which means 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, and FM receiver. We also spotted 4GB of flash storage and a 730mAH battery for what it's worth. Check the User Quickstart Guide and a few more pics in the gallery below.%Gallery-29619%
