Delphi Readies XM's SkyFi3

By Amy Gilroy On Oct 9 2006 - 6:00am

Delphi said it will ship in December a new XM SkyFi3 receiver that will double as a headset radio and a plug-and-play receiver offering many of the same functions as the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix.

In addition the company announced a new low-cost portable GPS device, called the NAV200, to ship in October at a suggested retail of $349 (see p. 38).

The new third-generation SkyFi plug-and-play receiver may be used with a headset with a built-in antenna to become a wearable portable device that receives live XM programming, Delphi said.

The SkyFi3 has a 2.8-inch screen and can store up to 10 hours of XM programming in built-in memory. Users can access songs stored in memory by artist, title and genre, similar to the Pioneer Inno which is currently being contested by record companies in a lawsuit against XM.

The SkyFi3 also has a 30-minute buffer allowing users to pause, fast forward and rewind through XM programming. Again similar to the Inno and Helix, users can bookmark favorite songs heard on XM for purchase later via the XM+Napster download service.

The SkyFi3 has an internal battery for 5 hours of portable playback. It ships Dec. 1 with a car kit, at a suggested $199, or as a package with sports armband and a coupon for live wearable headset/antenna at $229.