XM SkyDock Receives Design and Engineering Award From Consumer Electronics Associatio

[admin]

SIRIUS XM Radio* today announced that its XM SkyDock, the first satellite radio controlled by an iPod touch or iPhone, has been named as an Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award honoree by the Consumer Electronics Association. XM SkyDock was awarded one of the highest scores in the In-Vehicle Audio product category and honored as the 2010 Best of Innovations Honoree in that category. XM SkyDock has also been selected as an honoree in the In-Vehicle Accessories product category.

“SIRIUS XM Radio is honored that XM SkyDock is the 2010 Best of Innovations Honoree in the In-Vehicle Audio category,” said Sean Gibbons, Vice President, Product Marketing, After Market Division, SIRIUS XM Radio. “SIRIUS XM continues to be recognized as a leader in developing innovative products that allow subscribers to conveniently access our great programming, providing the richest and most compelling entertainment listening experience available today.”

Designed for easy use through the existing vehicle audio system, XM SkyDock delivers live satellite radio controlled by an iPod touch or iPhone. XM SkyDock has a built-in XM tuner allowing subscribers to enjoy all XM programming, including the “Best of SIRIUS” anywhere they drive. XM SkyDock will also charge iPod touch and iPhone devices while listening to live satellite radio.

The required XM SkyDock App utilizes the iPod touch and iPhone Multi-Touch user interface to let subscribers easily control their satellite radio listening experience. Users can download the XM SkyDock App for free from the App Store on their iPod touch or iPhone or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

Additionally, XM SkyDock comes with SIRIUS XM’s PowerConnect(TM) technology, which simplifies vehicle installation, allowing SkyDock to play through the existing vehicle audio system and makes it easy to move from vehicle to vehicle. An Aux In Cable is a standard in-box accessory to facilitate Aux In connections in vehicles with Aux In capability.

XM SkyDock is compatible with iPod touch (1st and 2nd generation), iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. All models require iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

XM SkyDock is now available at retail locations and online stores nationwide, including the Apple Store, www.apple.com, Best Buy, www.bestbuy.com, www.crutchfield.com, RadioShack and www.xmradio.com/skydock, as well as independent retailers from coast to coast, at an MSRP of $119.99.

XM SkyDock will be displayed at the 2010 International CES, which runs January 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature honorees by product category in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center and will also be featured at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Tuesday, January 5.

The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. It is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)(R), and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

To view the interactive demo and to learn more about XM SkyDock, please visit www.xmradio.com/skydock.

This is great news for Sirius XM Radio, they have one really great product on their hands. With this news and all of the positive feedback SkyDock has received things seem to be going well for Sirius XM. This news should no doubt increase holiday sales.




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View the original Article at Digital Radio Magazine or discuss it here.

 

[Jon]

Nice but $120 is still a little steep for what is essentially a dock.

 

[zevious]

Nice but $120 is still a little steep for what is essentially a dock.

A nice dock with a satellite radio built in. They are also under $100 now.

 

[TSS Taylor]

Nice but $120 is still a little steep for what is essentially a dock.

I think this is a piece of hardware that SIRIUS XM might actually make a profit on. But that being said a lot of aftermarket FM Transmitters for iPods, MP3s etc sell for $60-$90 and don't do nearly the job that the Power Connect does, nor does it mount the device like the SkyDock. As an iPod touch or iPhone FM Transmitter and Mount this is still a very good purchase.

 

[HecticArt]

I think this is a piece of hardware that SIRIUS XM might actually make a profit on. But that being said a lot of aftermarket FM Transmitters for iPods, MP3s etc sell for $60-$90 and don't do nearly the job that the Power Connect does, nor does it mount the device like the SkyDock. As an iPod touch or iPhone FM Transmitter and Mount this is still a very good purchase.

It'll be something like $49.99 by this time next year. Hopefully it really catches on, and they start making it for other phones.

 

[Argji]

I'm pretty frugal about hardware purchases, but I'm real close to pulling the trigger
and purchasing two of these and a couple of cheap refurb iPod Touches for our cars.

The wife who thinks that the Old School Starmate is doing a fine job is excited
about what a Skydock has to offer with her being able to easily listen to satellite
and her MP3 collection in the car with minimal fuss.

I'd rather spend money on that setup than shell out $120 a month for service for
a couple of iPhones or Crackberries for the wife and I.

 

[DAB]

Nice but $120 is still a little steep for what is essentially a dock.

I think you are a little off the farm on this comment!

What dock provides you access to full satellite radio and also offers PowerConnect for FM. There are docks out there that don't have a sat radio chipset and with a crappy FM trans which sell for right at $80. I think the price on this thing will end up settling in at about $99 and over time will likely drop below that, though I wouldn't expect it anytime soon.

I've also noticed that most docks that work with the iPhone are also more expensive because they have to be shielded to prevent GSM RF.

 

[JoeTan]

So what's the deal with these people? They only want to release new XM products so we have to pay extra for Stern???? There is nothing coming out for Sirius.

 

[DAB]

So what's the deal with these people? They only want to release new XM products so we have to pay extra for Stern???? There is nothing coming out for Sirius.

It is my opinion that Sirius XM will continue to push subscribers to the XM side as I believe they plan to eventually (years away) combine all the spectrum under one system and it is likely to be on the XM side. Pure speculation on my part!

However, much of the recent push is clearly to get that extra $4.00 per month for the BOS. Doesn't bother me, I prefer the XM side myself, but different strokes for different folks!

 

[JoeTan]

Really????? XM better than Sirius????


FOR REALLY REAL???

I couldn't stand the SQ on their side. I dunno what was going on or maybe it's different now but many moons ago when I was playing with it I just couldn't deal.

 

[DAB]

Really????? XM better than Sirius????


FOR REALLY REAL???

I couldn't stand the SQ on their side. I dunno what was going on or maybe it's different now but many moons ago when I was playing with it I just couldn't deal.

That is what I believe is happening, I could be wrong though!

SQ is such a subjective thing a red flag always goes up when someone says to me oh I hated the sound quality on that side. The SQ between the sides is actually pretty close. None the less so many factors play into it, such as the tuner we are using, which setup we have for listening rather it is OEM or PNP. The list goes on and on!

If you took a radio that was hooked exactly the same way through the exact same setup only then could you really tell which one sounds best and even that would be subjective to the individuals hearing and what they like.

There are those that believe Sirius sounds better and those that believe XM sounds better. But who is REALLY right?

Anyway back to what I was saying... I think the lean right now is clearly to push as many people to XM mainly for that extra money for the BOS, but ultimately because they will want consolidate us all under one system at some point way down the road. So, why not start the push now, so that when you get to that point the bulk of your subscribers are already on that side.