Delphi has officially announced the Delphi SkyFi3 XM satellite radio receiver/MP3 player - but Orbitcast readers have known about it for a few weeks already. Here's a rundown of the official details, some we know about and some are new:
- 65% smaller than previous SkyFi units
- 30-minutes of Pause-Replay functionality
- 10-hours of XM content recording on non-removable flash memory
- Micro SD card support for MP3/WMA/WAV storage
- Car dock included with the ability for horizontal or vertical orientation
- Car dock also includes a AUX outlet for external audio
- Included earphones
- Internal 8 hour rechargable battery
- Two Live Wearable Kits will be available:
- Standard Live Wearable Kit (SA10252) - 90 Minutes of live XM
- Premium Live Wearable Kit (SA10228) - 7 hours of live XM, 40 hours of stored playback
- The Delphi SkyFi3 will be available December 1st
- SkyFi3 will MSRP is $229
- Some retailers will be offering the Live Wearable Kit ($49 value) for free
Of note: The Delphi SkyFi3 has been submitted to the FCC, but has not yet been authorized. This is probably why you've seen it advertised, and then subsequently pulled from the ads.
Read the full press release after the jump...
Delphi Launches SKYFi3, the First Micro SD Compatible MP3 Satellite Radio with Pause-Replay
SKYFi3 is the Most Advanced Plug-and-Play Design in Satellite Radio Today
TROY, Mich., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Delphi the leader in satellite radio hardware with over 10 million radios sold and XM Satellite Radio, the leader in satellite radio service with over 7 million subscribers, announced the upcoming retail introduction of the newest Delphi satellite radio receiver, the SKYFi3. As the latest successor in the best-selling SKYFi family, the SKYFi3 is 65% smaller, yet maintains nearly every benefit of the previous generation product. In addition, SKYFi3 can also store and manage up to 10 hours of XM programming through non-removable internal memory, as well as an unlimited number of MP3 files through optional and removable Micro SD cards. Along with the largest 9 line display in its class and low-profile car dock that mounts vertically or horizontally, the SKYFi3 sets a new standard for plug-and-play systems.
"SKYFi3 is an important addition to our award-winning line of XM radios ensuring Delphi will continue to be the preferred choice of consumers," stated Frank Ordonez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions. "As more subscribers realize the exceptional entertainment value XM has to offer, SKYFi3 maximizes their enjoyment and subscription value -- because it offers the optimum balance of compact size, screen readability, cutting-edge content management features and portability outside the vehicle."
In today's fast-paced, multi-tasking world we live in, interruptions while listening to our favorite songs or TV programs are unavoidable. Like its predecessor, the SKYFi3 features a 30 minute Pause-Replay function that continuously and automatically saves the last 30 minutes of music, sports, comedy or talk -- regardless of whether the user changes channels. At any point during live listening, users can pause a song or program with a single button press. As long as playback resumes within 30 minutes, users can enjoy what they would have otherwise missed.
The Delphi SKYFi3 can time-shift up to 10 hours of fresh and continuously updated XM programming on its non-removable internal flash memory. Recordings can be started anytime during the live listening mode or by using SKYFi3's scheduled recording feature. A subscription to XM must be maintained to listen to stored XM programming.
SKYFi3 also offers the ability to store an unlimited number of MP3, WMA and WAV formatted files on optional and removable Micro SD cards. Users can easily manage their content by combining both stored XM and MP3s in personal playlists so they can enjoy all their music any time -- any way they prefer.
"The four year partnership with Delphi has allowed XM to offer its subscribers some of the most innovative radio products ever developed for our leading service -- and the Delphi SKYFi3 is no exception," stated Rocco Tricarico, vice president of product marketing, XM Satellite Radio. "SKYFi3 offers the unique combination of stored XM, MP3 capability, micro SD card compatibility and Pause-Replay all in one elegant device."
The Delphi SKYFi3 comes with everything to start enjoying XM in any vehicle equipped with an FM radio. First, a low-profile car dock with direct channel and preset-favorites access allows for both horizontal and vertical mounting options. The car dock also provides for a single auxiliary line input so users can listen to an external audio. SKYFi3's orientation flexibility, bright 2.8-inch display screen and ease-to-access car dock buttons offer improved readability and control for safer operation while driving.
"Like all radio audiences, satellite subscribers listen most while driving on their daily commute to and from work," stated Massimo Baldini, satellite radio business manager, Delphi Product & Service Solutions. "Delphi has stayed true to its rich 100-year automotive heritage by optimizing the SKYFi3 for this purpose, but users will quickly come to appreciate the product's performance outside the vehicle."
SKYFi3 can easily be removed from the car and used as a portable music player. With the included earphones and an internal 8 hour rechargeable battery, SKYFi3 can playback any previously stored XM or MP3s. In this way, users will never be far from the vast content XM has to offer even when they are not able to listen "live".
Portability is enhanced through a quick connection capability to optional kits for use in the home, another car or even when users want to listen to "live XM" on-the-go. Optional Home (SA10227) and Car (SA10226) Kit accessories will easily connect SKYFi3 to any home stereo or promote sharing between with multiple vehicles.
Two optional Live Wearable Kits will be available as well. Each uses comfortably-thin stereo audio headsets with a low-profile XM antenna built-in to the headband that connect to SKYFi3's universal multi-pin connector. A sleek form-fitting case offering additional protection and convenience is also included. The Standard Live Wearable Kit (SA10252) allows users to enjoy live XM for up to 90 minutes with power from SKYFi3's internal battery. The Premium Live Wearable Kit (SA10228) provides up to 7 hours in "live XM" mode and 40 hours in stored music mode with an external rechargeable battery.
SKYFi3 also includes other features that have become important to XM subscribers. Artist and Tuneselect(TM) automatically find favorite artists and songs on any XM channel. Plus, a Stock Ticker offers a personalized way to track the latest stock quotes. SKYFi3 also includes an infrared remote that can control every radio function.
The Delphi SKYFi3 will be available December 1st for this year's holiday shopping at select retailers with an expected retail price of $229. Additionally, some retailers will be offering SKYFi3 purchasers a free SKYFi3 Live Wearable Kit (SA10252), featuring integrated headphones with built-in Antenna (a $49 value), so they can listen to live XM on-the-go. For more information or to pre-order the Delphi SKYFi3, visit http://skyfi3.delphi.com/.
The SKYFi3 will be submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval in the coming weeks. This device has yet to be authorized as required by the rules of the FCC. This device will not be offered for sale or lease until authorization is obtained.
About Delphi
Delphi was the first company to integrate a radio into the dashboard in 1936, the first to bring satellite radio to the vehicle in 2001 and the first to bring a portable satellite radio to the market in 2002. To date, Delphi has sold more than 14 million satellite radio receivers and accessories. In fact, three out of four satellite radio subscribers listen on Delphi hardware. Delphi continues to expand its in-vehicle and consumer electronics technologies and offers a broad portfolio of products to answer a wide variety of information and entertainment needs. For more information, visit http://www.delphi.com/media.
About XM
XM is America's number one satellite radio service with more than 7 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2006 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: the most commercial-free music channels, sports, talk, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, and Porsche, is available in more than 140 different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

Crutchfield has it in the newest catalog, and they're doing the free wearable kit.
While the color screen of my Helix is nice, it's really all about the music -- I rarely look at the screen. This could be a nice unit, especially with the card slot.
Ya, this looks like another great little XM device but I will probably stick with my Inno. The card slot would be a nice feature to have, but then again the question that I always ask myself how much content am I going to listen until I am able to update the content or will be out range of XM's signals? Where is the breaking point when consumers say that 50 or 100 hours is enough? Just wondering...
What I like about XM also is that they have such a diverisity of decks both for you car and wireless. Marketed to just about any type of person that might be interested with the company.