Slacker Updates Internet Radio Portable

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 9/29/2008

San Diego — Slacker plans Oct. 1 availability of a sleeker, smaller version of its portable Internet radio device, the G2.

It will be available at Best Buy, Amazon.com and Buy.com in two versions. The $199-suggested 4MB version stores up to 2,500 songs from up to 25 stored Internet radio stations, and the $249 8GB version stores up to 4,000 songs from up to 40 stored stations.

Like its predecessor, the G2 let users listen to thousands of hours of stored Internet Radio, and it refreshes the stored stations with new music via Wi-Fi at home or on the go or via tethered PC. The device's “favorite” and “ban” buttons, which users press after each song is played, enables the Slacker service to automatically tailor downloaded songs to the user's tastes.

The G2 is 40 percent smaller than its predecessor, which was sold mainly online and through select stores such as J&R Music World, said a spokesman. The device has improved battery life of up to 15 hours and improved Wi-Fi and sound quality, he added.

FM modulator car kits are also available for playback through a car's sound system. Users can also plug the G2 into an aux-in jack available on some car radios.