Just over a month ago we learned that Wistron NeWeb (WNC) will most likely be the manufacturer behind the upcoming Sirius true-portable Satellite Radio/MP3 Player. The date? The 2nd half of 2006.
Well, lo-and-behold now it turns out that Humax has something up their sleeve as well. Humax, who are the peeps behind the Sirius S50, is expecting to have a "new model" starting in the 3rd quarter of 2006, according to this report (PDF). Here's the snippet:
Humax started the satellite radio business in 4Q05 when it supplied its S50 model to Sirius, the North American satellite radio operator. Thanks to growing demand and increasing Sirius subscribers, the business posted moderate earnings results. However, the S50 was a high-end product focused on design and specialties and thus failed to meet customer needs. Accordingly, 1Q06 sales growth was negative and we expect stagnant sales and dwindling inventory levels in 2Q06. The company is to supply Sirius with a new model starting in 3Q06.
Now, just to add to the speculation, there's been rumblings that the Zing-Sirius player will be completely separate from the Sirius Stiletto (aka, the "S100"). So Humax, or possibly Wistron, will be offering the live-wearable, while the other will be handling the Zing.
Either way, both appear to be coming soon.
[Read the full report] (PDF)
In context of Humax's comment that the "high-end product" did not meet consumer needs, doesn't it sound like they're working on a more economical (likely less-frills) version of their S50, rather than the deluxe Bellegio/S100 unit we've been hearing about?
Sirius is on pace to blow 1 billion dollars this year. XM had a device they could build off of and make better. This is Sirius' first attempt, I smell disaster. If their WI-FI backup is as unreliable as their webstream with a T1 connection consumers will send it back faster than the S50.
Sirius is on pace to blow 1 billion dollars this year. XM had a device they could build off of and make better. This is Sirius' first attempt, I smell disaster. If their WI-FI backup is as unreliable as their webstream with a T1 connection consumers will send it back faster than the S50.
You said "appear to be coming soon."
Sirius has promised the Shiteletto in June, July, Xmas, recently the CFO in public has promised the spec in June (granted he did not say which year). They leak photos of on Sirius.com WW2 vintage Zippo lighters with a photo taped to it like a screen and earbuds taped to it and then say "We never said that was the radio!!' they leak the latest photo to you of who knows what except it has no antenna.
What a joke--just like the claims the had no mod problems 2 months ago then they fixed problems they never had 3 weeks ago and now they are stopping shipments.
Keep up the arse kissing coverage of them
I'm an S50 owner and I would be EXTREMELY hesitant to buy anything made from Humax ever again.
*** Note - it does not say tha they will be producing a new portable. Just a new model. ***
How come every picture I see of Mel Karmazin, he looks like he's having a stroke?