Sirius Satellite Radio announces the Stiletto 2, a portable satellite radio featuring WiFi and the ability to store up to 100 hours of live Sirius programming.
Measuring 25 percent smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the Stiletto 2, Sirius' newest and most advanced portable radio features live portable reception of Sirius satellite radio, with the ability to store sports, talk and music on the device. When indoors or without a satellite signal, users can access available WiFi networks to listen to Sirius' internet broadcast. The device also supports Sirius' premium audio offering, has a removable microSD media slot for expanded storage of MP3/WMA files, and bookmarks songs so that users can later seek physical or digital copies from retailers.
Internal flash memory is used to store Sirius content as well as MP3/WMA files for non-live playback. Songs recorded from Sirius channels cannot be transferred from the device, but with available add-ons can be played through home stereos and other audio devices.
Stiletto 2 allows subscribers to set up scheduled recordings to capture 100 hours of favorite SIRIUS shows and programs. Music broadcasts can be recorded by creating Radio Replays, and can be played anytime, with or without a Satellite or WiFi signal.
MP3/WMA files are stored and managed on the Stiletto 2 with the My SIRIUS Studio software for Windows PCs. A Sirius rep told us the microSD memory slot takes microSD High Capacity cards (available now in 8GB sizes and eventually topping out at 32GB), which we liked, but Sirius' press release only mentions compatibility with regular microSD cards, which top out at 2GB. Hopefully Sirius addresses this in the future. Unfortunately, due to pressure from the RIAA, the MP3/WMA playback features are completely separate from the satellite radio features, so users looking to record MP3s from satellite radio broadcasts to play on their computer or other digital music devices will be disappointed.
Possibly the most interesting (and simultaneously disappointing) feature of the Stiletto 2 is the customized Altec Lansing AHP202SIR antenna headphone it is bundled with. The headphones sport 30mm drivers and an adjustable headband, but have a proprietary plug to connect with the Stiletto 2, so they can't be used with another device. In addition, since the Stiletto's antenna is inside the headphones, they are (at the moment) the only headphones that can be used with the device to listen to satellite broadcasts, at least while it is portable. With an optional home kit ($50), users can plug any set of headphones into the headphone jack, but must thread the included antenna out the window to receive a signal. That being said, the headphones are a marked improvement over the ones bundled with the Stiletto 100, which looked awkward and paired earbuds with a headband (always a bad idea).
A vehicle kit (MSRP $50), home kit (MSRP $50) and executive system
(MSRP $149.99) will be offered by Sirius, as well as additional batteries, headphones and multiple third-party accessories. The Stiletto 2 incorporates Sirius' universal connector, a proprietary plug in the same vein as Apple's 30-pin dock connector.
The Stiletto 2 weighs 4.3 oz., measures 1.9" x 4.3" x 0.6" and has a 2.2" color display. It is bundled with a single user-replaceable battery (4 hours for live satellite, 10 hours for WiFi and 20 hours of stored content), AC power adaptor, Altec Lansing headphones, ear buds, PC cable and My SIRIUS Studio software.
Sirius plans to release the Stiletto 2 in fall 2007, with an MSRP of $350.
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