Sirius Stiletto 2 Receives Channels via WiFi, Satellite, or Flash Memory

Sirius is hosting an event in New York today to show off their latest toys, including the Sonos integration mentioned here earlier, a new Sportster 5 dockable receiver, and the first satellite radio tuner that can receive three kids' television channels from Sirius BackSeat TV (a.k.a. the "keep quiet back there or I'll turn this car around right now" special).

But the most impressive device to me, judging from the announcement anyway, is the Sirius Stiletto 2. I was plenty impressed by the first one (the Stiletto 100), but the Stiletto 2 adds the ability to schedule recordings, storing up to 100 hours-worth of programming. Aside from preventing you from missing your favorite shows, the new feature gives you the ability to listen to Sirius channels when Wi-Fi and the satellite signal are not available.

Other new features not present in the Stiletto 100 include a 25 percent smaller design, extended battery life (4 hours of live satellite, 10 hours of Wi-Fi listening, or 20 hours of stored music listening -- either recorded programming or your own MP3s and WMAs), and support for 802.11b/g networks with password storage for connection to commercial or friends' hotspots.

Although the announcement skipped some crucial details that I'm trying to find out about (including how much memory it ships with), it did list other key specs and features:

- Satellite reception happens through a headphone (earbud) antennadesigned by Altec Lansing. Normal headphones could also work... or not.
- MicroSD card slot for up to 2GB of expansion

- Accessories include a vehicle kit ($50), home kit ($50), executive system($150), and additional batteries.

- Sirius Universal Dock Connector (similar to Apple's iPod docking connector) will allow connection to third-party equipment.
- 4.3 oz.

- 1.9" by 4.3" by 0.6"

- 2.2" color display

The announcement:

SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced the availabilityof its most advanced live portable radio, Stiletto 2, featuring WiFi,
and the ability to store up to 100 hours of live SIRIUS sports, talkand commercial free music programming. Stiletto 2 will be available infall 2007.

Smaller, lighter weight and stylish, Stiletto 2 features include:
-- Live portable reception of SIRIUS, as well as easy access to stored
sports, talk, and commercial free music programming
-- Enhanced WiFi capability, providing faster access to a larger number of
networks and support for commercial WiFi hotspots
-- Support for SIRIUS Internet Radio's premium audio offering.
-- Removable microSD media slot for expanded storage of MP3/WMA files
-- Easy storage and management of MP3/WMA files
-- Bookmark and purchase songs through any compatible online music service

"WithStiletto 2, SIRIUS is making the personal music player better forlisteners, raising the bar in the field of audio entertainment," MelKarmazin, SIRIUS CEO said. "Stiletto 2 makes it easy to discover newmusic, and to carry SIRIUS' virtually unlimited variety of sports,
talk, and commercial-free music wherever you go."

The compactStiletto 2 is a 4.3 oz portable radio which is capable of receivinglive SIRIUS broadcasts via both satellite and WiFi signals. Internalflash memory is used to store SIRIUS content as well as MP3/WMA filesfor non-live playback. Listeners can easily bookmark songs usingStiletto 2, tagging favorite songs for purchase using any Windows basedonline music service. Additionally, the Stiletto 2 supports removablemicroSD flash memory enabling users to expand memory for the storage oftheir digital music.

Stiletto 2 allows subscribers to store SIRIUS content by:
-- Pressing a single button to store "LOVE" individual songs heard live on
any SIRIUS 100% commercial free music channel
-- Setting up scheduled recordings to capture 100 hours of favorite SIRIUS
shows or programs
-- Or storing music broadcasts from a subscriber's favorite music channels
to create Radio Replays -- virtual channels that are available even
when there is no Satellite or WiFi signal available

MP3/WMA
files can also be stored on the Stiletto 2 and managed with the MySIRIUS Studio(TM) software for Windows(TM) PCs. Stiletto 2 iscompatible with most Windows-based internet music providers' downloadand subscription services.

The enhanced WiFi capability of theStiletto 2 permits access to standard SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) or,
for an additional subscription charge, SIRIUS Internet Radio's premiumaudio quality offering. SIR gives subscribers access to over 80
channels of SIRIUS Satellite Radio content on the Internet, includingHoward Stern's two channels, Martha Stewart Living Radio, SIRIUS OutQ,
and commercial-free music programming.

SIRIUS also selectedAltec Lansing to develop the new AHP202SIR antenna headphone for theStiletto 2. Featuring large 30mm drivers for full-spectrum acousticsand an adjustable headband for increased wearing comfort, the new AltecLansing AHP202SIR antenna headphone delivers hours of listeningenjoyment.

Measuring 1.9" w x 4.3"l x 0.6" d, weighing 4.3 oz.,
and with a color 2.2" display, a six-way navigation control thatprovides easy one handed access to all features and content. Stiletto2, with a MSRP of $349.99, will include the radio, a singleuser-replaceable battery operating for 4 hours (live satellite), 10
hours (WiFi), and 20 hours (Non-live), AC power adaptor, Altec Lansingheadphone, ear buds, PC cable, My SIRIUS Studio(TM) software.

SIRIUS
introduced its first truly portable satellite radio, Stiletto 100, inSeptember 2006. Stiletto 2, black-on-black with dark chrome styling, isover 25% smaller and lighter with improved battery performance. The newWiFi modual supports both 802.11 b/g networks including username andpassword access to many commercial network accounts. The microSD memoryslot accommodates added memory available in sizes currently ranging upto 2GB.

Other features of the Stiletto 2 include color display,
media dial; SIRIUS Replay(TM), which allows users to pause, rewind andreplay 60 minutes of live radio programming; Game Alert(TM), whichallows listeners to track favorite sports team and drive broadcasts andalerts when scores change; Game Zone(TM), listing all of the usersfavorite teams in one virtual category; team and league logos on sportsticker. Parents also have control over channels and channel lockout.

A
vehicle kit (MSRP $49.99), home kit (MSRP $49.99), executive system(MSRP $149.99), additional batteries and headphones, and otheraccessories will also be available. The Stiletto 2 incorporates theSIRIUS Universal Connector, which will enable use in a wide variety ofaudio systems and accessories being developed by partner manufacturers.