The new XM SkyDock App for the iPhone/iPod Touch is now available (the icon is in the upper-left of the screenshot above).
Apparently Sirius XM Radio Inc. has decided to release it ahead of what we originally heard was scheduled.
You can download the free App here or check out more screenshots after the jump...
This looks pretty slick, but let me ask - is it possible to stream Sirius/XM over 3G and just plug your iPhone into an AUX jack in the car?
Are there sound or buffering issues in that scenario?
So if I have an Ipod Touch, I can toss my XM radio and just use the Touch in the car?
I'm not making a joke here.
Can someone explain clearly what this gizmo does?
Can you check email etc. without quitting the app?
Let me answer.
Not with this app. Need other XM/Sirius app.
No. Unless you get SkyDock too.
App + SkyDock + iPhone/Touch = XM receiver in your car. No 3G. No wifi.
No. Just like everything else on that OS.
mines on a fedex truck as we speak this thing is gonna rock real sweat interface
Actually TVGenius, I expect the music to be played from the SkyDock itself, just like the Griffin Navigate FM radio. With the Navigate, you listen to FM, but you can control what station you listen to from the iPhone. When you get your station, you can hit the Home button and play around on the iPhone.
So my expectation for this is the music is played from the SkyDock, not the iPhone, the channels are changed within the SkyDock, but you have to activate the channel changing from the iPhone, much like the XMPCR where everything XM was in the radio, but activating the channel changing was done from the computer.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_220SKYDOCK/XM-SkyDock-trade.html?search=xm+skydock&ssi=0&tp=1493
This is my understanding as well. If you have the SkyDock, the iPhone simply functions as a control head for the radio, with satellite radio delivered via an antenna and radio circuitry that's part of the SkyDock hardware. When you run the app, on the other hand, you're getting Sirius XM content via the 3G network.
My question would be, do you need a separate subscription for the SkyDock, or will it function on the same subscription you'd have for getting Sirius XM via the app?
Im pretty sure that you will need another subscription for this, just like the internet application...they gotta get something out of it other than just the hardware profits
I have the same question as xcountry about the subscription. Can someone help us out? Do I need another sub to use this?
So the dock comes with a magnetic antenna. So it's going to run via a external antenna, 3G (not very reliable in the boondocks) and wi-fi. I'd rather have it run with a external antenna. Don't you? I will buy it tomorrow. Will give a brief review about it definaltely.
HEllo off course that you guys needs to pay a new subscription,but not like the SIR sub this needs a regular subscription.Just like gogreyxm said this is like a sat radio that can be controlled through your iphone or ipod touch.Just go to this page and U'll get all the info:http://www.xmradio.com/skydock/index.xmc
if you are a new subscriber yes you need a sub if you are an existing sub you can switch but your other radio would be dead unless you pay 2 subs pretty easy to understand
I just purchaed the sky dock and what a piece of crap it is. To start off there are only 12 yes 12 presets to the unit. Now navagating from channel to channel while driving is a major risk. It's very complicated and not easy to scroll though the channels. Your basically bending your head down to change the channels. I have a inno now mounted on a suction cup in my window at least with that via a remote controll your barely taking your eyes off the road while changing channels.
I think it a great idea but not thought out too well. My changes would be to get a xmp3 type of base and just use the same type of power wire that is on the xmp3 (sorry don't know the proper terminalogy). This product I will give a very rare F. I have never hated a XM unit more than this one. If anybody has specific questions about it I will be glad to answer them.
This thing sucks, blows and bites!
Sorry to hear of your issues. I actually love the SkyDock. It is the first XM radio I have bought in some time and have been excited for. I find the application easy to use, well designed and intuitive. The one thing I agree with you 100% is that I do not understand why there are such few favorites. I am sure that can be taken care of in a future update. I also wish there was a way to set favorites and change more settings when not in the car, but that is more an annoyance than a problem. I know you stated you found it difficult to navigate while driving; did you try the "preview cards?" I set mine to preview favorites and found that to be the easiest and best way to change channels while driving. As with most things though it all comes down to personal preference.
What is the antenna set-up like? Some of the ads are pushing the portability of this among different vehicles, but if the antenna set-up is a hassle, it's really not very portable.
@bk2 It is pretty easy to move this dock from car to car. Moving the antenna is not difficult, BUT I would just recommend you picking up an antenna for each car you will use it in, that way its less of a hassle.