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Updated Delphi MyFi XM2go receiver rocks the FCC
Details are a little sketch and there's only a shot of the device's battery compartment, but it looks like a new MyFi-branded XM2go receiver is on the way, cause that's what XM's telling the FCC and the FCC don't take kindly to lies. The unit, labeled as Delphi model number SA10113A and XM part number XMTSK01665-01, seems like it shares at least the same basic shape as the previous MyFi radio, but hopefully we'll get a better look at this bad boy soon.
Audiovox booth tour
We stopped by the Audiovox booth to check out what it and its small fleet of partner brands have been up to. They may not have been sporting a gigundo LCD tower or anything, but they certainly did what they could with a big flying yellow hyperbolic donut thingy. Join us after the break for some highlights from the tour.
Audiovox's XM2go X2G-100 Inno clone revealed
As exciting as it was to stare at the back of this thing a couple of months ago, we're kind of glad the FCC decided to flip the unit over and give us some more shots of this new satellite radio device from Audiovox. The latest in a series of XM2go clones, the X2G-100 looks like it's just about ready to party down with the Helix and Inno players, which were released earlier this year. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot new here: the player features the same 50 hours of recording time as its siblings, and while Audiovox was kind enough to toss in those clunky, Sirius-esque antenna headphones, they left out the home and car kits, so it's a bit of a wash. We are liking the new all-black look, but assuming a similar price tag on this thing, we don't see much reason to go with this sucker when it debuts in February, since we're sure there'll be another generation of portable XM devices not long after. Keep reading for a couple more pics.[Via Orbitcast]
XM's new "X2G-100" XM2go player found in FCC
Details are still mondo sketchy at this point, but the FCC just delivered satellite radio fans a new present today: XM's "X2G-100" XM2go portable. Looks vaguely like a Pioneer Inno from the rear and we're hoping it's not some upgrade we're getting ourselves all worked up over, but if it was it'd likely not be filed by XM. Now watch as XM goes about its own business until one day it "suddenly" announces this mysterious device.Update: Steve T writes to let us know it might just be Audiovox's XM2go device. Could be, but we still don't know for sure if this is going to be that same device which will provide "the ultimate music experience."
Samsung's neXus XM DAP reviewed
We've always been a bit skeptical of portable DAPs like the Sirius S50 and Samsung neXus that promise to let you listen to sat radio content on-the-go, because since neither device includes a built-in satellite receiver, you're stuck with the programming you've recorded while the player was docked at home. PC Mag seems to agree that this class of gadgets offers rather limited functionality, and their review of the neXus isn't very promising for potential customers: unless you buy the $70 car kit for listening to live feeds in your ride, you're basically spending either $219 or $269, respectively, for either a 512MB or 1GB MP3 player that delivers neither great sound quality nor an acceptable battery life. What's more, you have to make sure that you keep the unit docked for at least eight hours a month so that XM can properly authenticate your subscription to keep your recorded tunes from disappearing. Ultimately, unless you're a on a tight budget and absolutely need some XM swag in your pocket at all times, PC Mag suggests -- and we tend to agree -- that you're better off shelling out a few more bucks for the Pioneer Inno or Samsung Helix, which both allow you to pick up and record live feeds right out of the box, no dock necessary.
Pioneer Inno XM2go DAP reviewed
We've had our eye on the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix combination DAP/XM2go receivers ever since they were announced at CES, and although the devices certainly looked to have a winning combination of features, we had several concerns that we were eager to see addressed in a hands-on. Well our wait is over, as a fairly gushing, and very thorough, review of the Inno by satellite radio enthusiast site Orbitcast has allayed all of our fears, and convinced us that the Inno, which both plays and records XM streams as well as handling your MP3's, is really as hot as the specs make it sound. Orbitcast is particularly impressed with the ease of managing content on the device, with powerful search functions, automatic track separation (when recording streams), and intuitive controls helping Inno achieve that delicate balance of features and simplicity. With reception actually better than older XM2go models, pretty decent battery life, excellent stock earbuds, and improved playback control, the only downside here seems to be the way in which the Inno partitions its memory: during the initial setup you must choose from only two configurations -- 100% storage devoted to XM content or a 50/50 split between XM and your own tracks -- and if you want to switch modes at a later date, your entire library of recorded swag gets wiped.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
