Hardware

An interoperable radio has been on the wish list of hard core satellite radio fans for quite some time. Now that it has finally arrived in the form of the MiRGE, those fans find themselves asking one simple question. WHY? With the merged channel line-ups, and the BEST OF programming now available, there is little reason for subscribers to pay and additional $3 ($19.99 per month) for Sirius Everything or XM Everything, when BEST OF delivers almost identical content for $16.99.

The main reason behind the MiRGE is that it became an FCC requirement of the merger. Thus, because something made sense month or even years ago, the company needs to spend money today developing and dedicating shelf space to a device that was simply no longer needed.

To be fair, the Mirge will deliver some additional content, most of which will be on the sports and talk segments of the programming line-up. However, with rumored consolidation in that area of programming as well, the distinct differences that Mirge can deliver are scant at best.

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Sirius XM Radio’s XMP3 radio is the latest in wearable devices for satellite radio. Featuring a small compact size, and an easy to use interface, the XMP3 brings music to your ears. At only 2 inches x 3.6 inches by .6 inches, and weighing in at only 3.1 ounces, the XMP3 will fit where you want it while delivering all of the content satellite radio has to offer.

The XMP3 arrived from TSS-Radio, and the only disappointment I have experienced so far is the knowledge that I will only have this hot little unit in my hands for a short period of time.

Upon arrival, I wanted to try the device out quickly. Fully charged and ready to go, I turned on the XMP3 and jumped right in. A good electronics device is intuitive enough that the end user does not have to go crazy trying to figure out how to use it. The XMP3’s simplicity of operation makes it a winner right off the bat. The unit features an easy to use navigation wheel that will be familiar to iPod and Stiletto users. A row of four buttons under the screen get you to any function you need, and the scroll wheel lets you navigate all pop-up and drop-down menus with ease.

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Sirius XM Radio has officially launched their first A-La-Carte receiver, the Starmate 5. The popular model will allow consumers to choose pricing plans that suit their needs, and satisfies part of the conditions of the merger with XM.

The Starmate 5 will support A La Carte channel selection, as well as “The Best of XM” programming package. With an MSRP of $129.99, the Starmate 5 is available at retailers such as TSS-Radio, a site sponsor of SiriusBuzz.

“We are pleased to launch the first-ever satellite radio enabled for A La Carte channel selection,” said Bob Law, Group Vice President and General Manager, Aftermarket Division, SIRIUS XM Radio. “The Starmate 5 Dock & Play radio reinforces SIRIUS XM Radio’s promise to give consumers more programming and pricing options.”

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The all new Sirius Stratus 5 has just arrived at retail and is now available to the public. While not all retailers have the product yet, our site sponsor TSS-Radio has just received a shipment, and was kind enough to give us a heads up.

Now, before anyone asks, this is NOT an A-La-Carte radio. The stratus, will be capable of receiving Sirius programming as well as any “BEST OF” that a subscriber adds on to their service.

The Stratus 5 is a capable entry level unit that allows consumers all of the access to satellite radio for only $69.99. The new Stratus 5 has shifted away from the gray case and orange display and opted for a sleek black casing and blue display. The universal connections allow you easily shift your Stratus 5 between docking kits and audio systems for the home, office or other vehicles.

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I have had the Logitech Squeezebox Duet for a few weeks now, and felt compelled to do a follow-up review of the device. In my initial review of the Squeezebox Duet, I was impressed with everything from the packaging to the navigation, to the price point. I felt at the time, and still feel today that the Squeezebox Duet represents perhaps the best value one can have in adding to their music and entertainment system.

Even after a nearly a month, I can honestly say that my impression of the Squeezebox Duet is still as high as it was when I initially tied the product. In fact, I am more impressed now than I was in the beginning! I find myself enjoying my music more now in the home than I have in the past, and look forward to adding additional zones so that I can further customize my listening.

The beauty in the Squeezebox Duet is in the wide variety of choice a listener has all encased in an easy to use controller that fits into the palm of your hand. Whether it is Sirius, Slacker, Pandora, Rhapsody, or your own i-Tunes playlist, you can control them all with ease, making your choices virtually limitless.

For Sirius Satellite Radio fans, one subscription to Sirius is all you need to get great listening anywhere in your house. Already have Sirius in your car? Did you know that a Sirius subscription already comes with on line listening? Why not bring Sirius into the house with a Squeezebox Duet using your existing subscription? The sound is great, and if you want even better sound, simply upgrade your Sirius account to 128K streaming for an additional $2.99 per month (well worth the price).

The Squeezebox Duet literally can bring a great value to your existing Sirius satellite radio subscription, and allow you to have your Sirius anywhere you want in the house. At $399 for a controller and 1 room setup, you will add value to your existing stereo that you never though possible. Want more than one room? You can add additional receivers for under $150 each.

Father’s Day and Graduation are coming. Hook up Dad or the Grad with a Duet system. They will thank you all year long.

Position - Long Sirius.

Squeezebox at Slim Devices

The Squeezebox Duet is a Home Run, and it’s because Logitech has covered all of the bases. Simply Stated, this is a MUST HAVE ADDITION to the sound system of any person who appreciates audio entertainment!

We got our hands on the new Squeezebox Duet for a review, and I can tell you this…No one will get this nifty device out of my hands. The Squeezebox Duet is a home run! The sleek and stylish controller and receiver fit any decor, the 2.4 inch color LCD screen allows further customization to suite whatever your mood, and that is just the beginning.

Logitech’s Squeezebox Duet allows users to access millions of songs from Internet radio or even your own play lists. All of this is in CD quality, and controlled through the easy to operate Squeezebox handheld device. Better still, one Squeezebox can let your kids listen to their tunes in the playroom, while you listen to yours in the den, and your wife her own in the living room. Want every room in the house to have the same music? With the Squeezebox system it is possible.

Logitech covered all of the bases by developing a simple user friendly Squeezebox system that will add gusto to any audio entertainment system. The Squeezebox Duet also has the ability to allow consumers to build a whole house system at a pace that fits any budget. Out of the box the Squeezebox Duet comes with one controller and one receiver and that is all it takes to get yourself started. This allows you to instantly hook up the Duet to your existing home stereo and begin enjoying all of the music that the Internet has to offer. At $399 the Squeezebox Duet will give your existing stereo functionality that you did not think possible. No more CD’s on shuffle. Instead, you music choice is only limited by your imagination.

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Sirius satellite radio is moving a bit deeper into the realm of Internet radio. Sirius Internet Radio streaming has been available for quite some time as a computer standalone or with units such as the Stiletto 2 and SONOS that use a WiFi connection to allow users to stream content. This latest move with the popular Squeezebox from Logitech allows users to gain access to programming in yet another way, while also allowing full access to all Internet audio music.

Sirius Internet Radio is compatible with all three of Logitech’s streaming media products for the home. The Logitech network music players will connect directly to Sirius Internet Radio, providing a seamless and easy set-up. Utilizing a home broadband connection via Wi-Fi or a wired network connection, listeners can stream Sirius.

With the new Squeezebox Duet network music system, music lovers can listen to SIRIUS on the home-entertainment system in their living room, the stereo system in their bedroom, even on the mini-system in their kitchen and control it all from the palm of their hand. The Logitech Squeezebox network music player is the easiest way to listen to music stored on Macs and PCs as well as virtually any Internet radio station through a stereo system. For true audiophiles, the Logitech Transporter network music player streams audiophile-quality digital music with sound that surpasses even the most exotic compact disc players.

“By offering content from SIRIUS over our Squeezebox and Transporter network music players, our customers can now experience SIRIUS’ streaming content on their home entertainment systems,” added Robin Selden, Vice President and General Manager of Logitech’s Streaming Media business unit. “From its commercial-free music channels to its exclusive talk content, SIRIUS’ programming will supplement the entertainment experience offered by Logitech’s network music players. And now with our newest Squeezebox controller, music lovers can turn on SIRIUS from the comfort of their couch.”

Logitech plans to make the Sirius Internet Radio service available to existing Squeezebox and Transporter users via a software update.

Position - Long Sirius, No Position LOGI

Speculation surrounding the capabilities of Sirius’ Starmate 5 has made its way around the Internet. The new device is in the midst of testing at the FCC, and a letter regarding the testing from the FCC mentioned XM Satellite Radio. This tidbit of information could be a clue as to an A-La-Carte capable receiver, or simply just an innocent use of the XM name in correspondence relating to the receiver.

Viewing the instruction manual for the Starmate 5 gives no real indication of XM capabilities. Some look at this as evidence that this is not a “special” receiver. I would caution such assumptions. An A-La-Carte radio would have a subscriber subscribing to either Sirius or XM initially, and the A-La-Carte offerings would be a handful of channels from the other service. Thus, it stands to reason that the directions would give no real indication of the channel line-up, and there would be no need, especially at this point, to divulge these capabilities.

With the understanding that the new Starmate 5 carries many similarities to the Starmate 4 in form and function, we decided to dig a bit deeper in an effort to see if there was something that differentiates the two devices. We pulled the internal photo of the Starmate 4 as filed with the FCC on August 17, 2007 as well as the internal photo of the Starmate 5 as filed with the FCC on May 3, 2008, and BEHOLD……extra stuff and substantial changes!!!

Now, I am no circuit board expert, but perhaps a reader can comment on what some of these changes might mean. It could be as simple as an upgrade to the chipsets, but only 8 months has passed between these two FCC filings. Is there something in here that relates to additional functionality? I guess we need experts to let us know. If the changes do relate to an A-La-Carte radio, it could mean that such a device would be available for the2008 Holiday season. There is plenty of time for production if this is the case.

FCC Filing for Starmate 4

FCC Filing for Starmate 5

Orbitcast Article

Position - Long Sirius, Long XM