Pioneer has put up detailed images, specifications and the user guide for XM's upcoming portable satellite radio player, the XMp3.But rather than make you read the 78-page user guide, I've broken down all the highlights in one handy post.
Aside from what we already know, the XMp3 seems little different from the Pioneer Inno... right? Not really.
XM has added a myriad of new features that many Inno-users will be jealous over - though the lack of WiFi is a supreme disappointment. The Stiletto's WiFi functionality is a godsend for those who want to listen indoors, and I really wish the XMp3 had it included. But I digress.
Programming Guide:
The first killer upgrade is that the XMp3 will be the first XM radio to feature the electronic programming guide. You can see a list of programs that will be playing on a particular channel, then highlight a program and select it to see information about that program, schedule to record it, or set an alert that will notify you when the program starts.
XM Highlights:
For those times when you're looking for something to listen to, XM has (finally!) created a list of XM Highlights. You can pull up a list of the best programs across select XM channels for the next few days.
TuneSelect and Favorites:
Additional features include 30 TuneSelect options for notifications when your favorite artist or song is playing across the XM dial. The XMp3 also allows you to save up to 99 favorite channels (hopefully you won't need that many, since that sort of defeats the purpose).
Pause/Replay:
The XMp3 allows for pause and replay of live XM for up to 30 minutes. You can turn the wheel to see a list of songs that you missed, from newest to oldest, and skip to the previous or next song in the list. You can also rewind or fast-forward through individual songs.
Recording Features:
Thanks to the RIAA, there's been a bit of crippling of the XMp3 versus the Inno. The XMp3 allows for 75 hours of recording of "programs" and 10 hours of "songs" on the 2Gb of internal XM storage. But XM has done its best to make whatever capabilities are available into some pretty useful functionality. The XMp3 is also microSDHC compliant.
Auto-Recording:
Not only can you recording up to 5 channels at once, but the XMp3 radio also learns your listening habits and records those channels automatically. The XMp3 will save up to 30 hours of XM programming from the five channels you listen to most frequently, so it's effortless content for on-the-go.
Battery Life:
The removable Lithium-ion battery allows for 16.5 hours of playback time and 4 hours of live XM. That's a bit of a disappointment for those who listen to live XM a lot, but the 5-channel autorecording theoretically helps offset that.
[Pioneer]
[Pioneer XMp3 Owners Manual.pdf]
Looking at the connector on the bottom, will this be compatible with the old MyFi boomboxes/docks?
It doesn't seem like you car pay it through your car stereo. Is that true? That would seem like a dissapoinment to me.
Oooooooooo... So 5 channel recording... I'm curious if that works across both of XM's ensembles (or transponders, as most people refer to them)... i.e. recording a talk program from one ensemble, while also recording a music channel on the other (IIRC, one ensemble is entirely music channels, the other is all talk and a small number of music)...
If this is possible, that would make this the first XM Radio-only receiver to decode both ensembles simultaneously, which might be part of the reason why the battery life for live XM is less than spectacular.
The Onix 400 XM Radio/NavWeather/GPS can decode both XM ensembles simultaneously (and has to, so that it is always receiving the NavWeather data, while also permitting listening to any XM Radio channel) as well.
That's all well and good, but can it do ala-carte? Will it do the best-of Sirius package?
Nobody's buying it unless it has some sort of Sirius capability.
when will it be available?
Ryan (or anyone who may know)
Do you have the link for the manual for the new, upcoming GEX-XMP3 satellite radio?
I would be most grateful if someone could email it to the above email address or post it here, in the comments section.
Looks very nice. But I'm wondering about compatibility with existing Inno equipment, i.e., car dock, Belkin headphones, Belkin boombox. I won't bite if all my current Inno accessories become obsolete with the new system.
@DW Sorry, something got screwed up in that post and it never included the link. You can access the user manual here:
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/Pioneer%20XMp3%20Owners%20Manual.pdf
Does it receive Fungus?
ALL XM radios can do the "BEST OF" Packages. Past and present.
I don't suppose i could hope for any of those new features in a firmware upgrade? or does XM only use those for turning off features?
I wonder if the "programs" side of the XMP3 can be used like the Stiletto 100? Recording in blocks, not locked to "offical" programs. It's better than nothing.
Ryan-Thanks very much for answering my email so quickly about info about new XMp3 product manual!
Much appreciation and great article!
Thanks
DW
Same here Ryan S. Fast response on my e-mail about official release date of XMp3.
THANK-YOU
It does do both ensembles.
That connector is exactly like the Stilleto's, other sirius radio, and XM's so theoritically unless the power rating is different it could work.
Headphones probably also.
If this does not support ala carte and wifi, I see no reason as a current Inno user to upgrade. Sure those bells and whistles are nice, but without a compelling reason, like ability to listen indoors live when uncradled, I see no compelling reason to purchase this. I wish I did.
Yes it does record both ensembles. HCMOS 90 allows this to happen.
The other great part about wifi is the upgrades (channel listings, features, etc.)
It is much easier then connecting to the radio.
If it was a phone as well, I would buy this.
With the merger and future programming changes could this XMP3 be obsolete in the near future, with regard to available programming and the capabilities of the XMP3? In other words, will it receive only XM channels?
ok. all current and new radios can get the best me packages. no current radios can get ala carte.
Ryan,
Do you or anyone know if the new, so to be out, GEX-XMP3, has a connector similar to the Inno that will allow the antennae headset to be attached for better reception?
This was very helpful with the Inno/Helix for better and improved reception.
just wondering when this will be released and what it will priced at. i'm so close to purchasing an inno.
no wifi, no deal
It plays though your car stereo --if you buy the car kit, it will "FM Frequency Scan", and play (good or bad, based on your antenna/station density) through your existing head unit, when dialed to the "set" frequency.
can i store mp3 files through napster 2 go on this device and if so how many songs will it hold
I have a new car to which I can connect my MP3 player via a USB and it allows me to listen thru the radio. I am interested in this unit if I can do the same thing without needing a car kit. Can this be done?
does it "fm frequency scan" on a home stereo system? i was able to do it in the car but am not able to find a channel at home
As a new owner it would seem that when I schedual some recording a week ahead that if I shut the unit off I lose what I had scheduled?
WIll this unit record when hook to power but turned off?