Hardware

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

Sirius satellite radio appears to be serious about the latest S50 update. Last weekend I got an automated phone call from Sirius telling me that I needed to do the update, and this week I got a large card in the mail once again stating the importance of the update.

The communications stress that is important to do this update in order to avoid disruption of service. Knowing that the S50 is in my wife’s car, I guess it really would be prudent to get the update completed.

A Sirius web page explains the steps of the update in detail.

You must download and install this new S50 update to maintain uninterrupted service.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio is making improvements to our broadcast systems. In order to maintain uninterrupted service, you must download and install the latest update to your S50. Installing the updates will not affect your loved songs or recorded talk programs. Follow the instructions below to download and install the updates. You must have a PC operating under either Windows 2000 or Windows XP to update your S50 using My SIRIUS Studio™.

If you have a Windows operating system that is not compatible with My SIRIUS Studio™, such as Vista, please refer to our alternative updating instructions located here. SIRIUS S50 is not compatible with Mac operating systems.

Important!

Before You Begin make sure the battery is installed in the S50 and it is fully charged. If the battery is not installed, or is only partially charged, the software updates may not install properly.

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Sirius Buzz sponsor TSS Radio has informed us that the Polk MiDock Portfolio is now available to consumers. The $129.00 device has been anticipated since late last year, and gives any Stiletto user the ability to get great sound from dock that folds up for easy portability. The unit includes interchangeable adapter sleeves for Stiletto SL100, 10 and SL2, indoor/outdoor home antenna with 21’ cable, and AC power adapter.

MiDock Features:

-Compatible with all Stiletto Products
-Dock folds flat for travel
-Runs on AA batteries or AC power
-High-resolution micro-speakers
-Bass enhancement circuit for improved sound
-Auxiliary input and headphone jack
-SMB antenna jack
-Powered speaker system
-Charges Stiletto when docked into an AC outlet

Also newly available is the Sirius Connect Vehicle Dock and Home Dock with similar functions and form factor.

Position – Long Sirius