*UPDATE* Click Here For Pics
From gizmodo.com…

In a press event today—that Gizmodo was not invited to, mind you, supposedly because some PR suits at SIRIUS don’t like blogs—SIRIUS announced the addition of four new receivers to their already existing line. The have added the SIRIUS Starmate4, Starmate3, Sportster3 and Stratus. All of the players will use their new universal dock adapter.

In addition to the receiver SIRIUS also announced a new home system called the SIRIUS Conductor.

Some of the features (also from Gizmodo)…
The Starmate4 is a slim-design receiver with a large display. It is capable of replaying (or time-shifting) up to 44 minutes of content. It will be available this October for $120.

The Starmate3 is similar to the Starmate4, but it does not include the 44-minute replay/time-shifting ability. This player will retail for $100.

The Sportster3 is another slim-design receiver that includes a rotary turn knob and large buttons. It should be available in September for $120.

The Stratus is a lower-end receiver with an October release and a $60 price tag. It has 10 presets, three line display, FM transmitter, etc. Nothing to spectacular, pretty basic but includes the universal dock adapter.

Also announced today was the SIRIUS Conductor. This is a home system for SIRIUS listening. It includes a receiver, controller and the other basic accessories. The Conductor connects to an existing home stereo and is controlled by a wireless controller with range of 150 feet. This thing is still kind of confusing. So it is essentially a SIRIUS receiver that connects to your home stereo and is controlled with some kind of advanced controller? The confusement doesn’t end there, either.

Here’s the full article.

The first 3 radios will have all of the basic features along with One Touch Jump, allowing you to jump from one station to another (of your choice) with the press of a button.

If Backstage finds any pictures we’ll let you know, but what is interesting is that the Stilleto was supposedly missing from this event, possibly for RIAA reasons?

Comment here.

The latest Crutchfield Catalog contains details about the strongly-rumored Sirius Stiletto. There is over a half-page dedicated to discussing the details; here are the most important features:

-built-in antenna for live on the go listening
-wifi available for places you cannot get live reception but have a wifi hotspot
-100 hours of playback, likely based on a 2GB flash drive
-can support MP3 or WMA technology
-car dock with direct entry and other features
-two batteries, a regular, and a slightly larger with extended playback
-MSRP: $399
-Record programming in up to six hour blocks
-Works with Microsoft’s Play for Sure, which allows you to use subscription services such as Napster or Yahoo! Music
-New Boombox being released for it
-Antenna headphones are INCLUDED with the base kit

More information, another pic, and a place to comment here

SIRIUS said today that manufacturer Kiryung Electronics Co. has received FCC approval to resume production and distribution on three radio models.

The authorization comes for the Xact Visor, Sirius One and Sportster Replay radios.
Sirius said the grants were issued after the FCC’s laboratory confirmed that the devices were compliant with applicable rules.

Earlier this week, SIRIUS manufacturer Wistron NeWeb said they are expecting to fix related problems in two weeks and begin shipments to SIRIUS soon.

Comment here.

SIRIUS has also filed earlier this month for the service marks “Stratus” and “Speedster”, both likely future SIRIUS receivers.

Equipment for receiving broadcast radio transmissions; equipment for playing, recording, organizing, manipulating, and reviewing text, data and audio files

via Satellite Radio TechWorld

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Wistron NeWeb (a key Sirius radio manufacturer) saw its revenues decline to a two-year low of US$25.4 million in July due to delayed shipment of its satellite radio products to Sirius Satellite Radio, according to analysts at local securities houses.

Wistron was unable to ship a batch of their next-gen of satellite radio products to Sirius on time in July as the products failed to meet FCC requirements. Wistron, together with Sirius, says they are expecting to fix related problems in two weeks and begin shipments to Sirius soon.

Via Orbitcast and DigiTimes

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The upcoming Zing player is said to feature SIRIUS Satellite Radio over WiFi.

Orbitcast is now reporting the Microsoft’s Zune player may support XM streaming content over WiFi:

XM Radio: The WiFi antenna also will help Microsoft to support XM radio on the Zune, something they’ve been looking into. If Zune is to kill the iPod, they need something big that the iPod doesn’t have; this may or may not be it, but they’ll need all the firepower they can get. With the iPod lacking even an FM radio, this could be a big advantage.

It remains to be seen if XM shows up as a dedicated application, or if it’s just wishful thinking on the part of Associated Content. There are several layers of authentication and interface issues to overcome.

At this point, the SIRIUS Zing partnership is much more of a sure thing and we can expect a more polished solution as a result.

Read the full Orbitcast article here.

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Orbitcast.com has the story…

Introducing the new Soloist Universal Media Dock for the latest generation of SIRIUS Satellite Radio plug-and-play receivers. This beautiful “media dock” uses the patented SurfaceSound flat-panel speaker technology from NXT, powered by a 10-watt-per-channel Tripath amp.

The Soloist, by Directed Electronics, employs SIRIUS’ new universal connector which shares the same configuration with the SIRIUS Sportster 4 (pictured) and future SIRIUS receivers. Plus, it’s compatable with the Apple iPod. Awesome.

Soloist comes with a SIRIUS home antenna, remote control, AC power adapter, as well as a front panel AUX IN and headphone jack, rear panel AUX IN and OUT, rear panel USB port, and a built-in alarm clock, which will wake you up to the SIRIUS channel or iPod song of your choice.

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Just as SIRIUS prepares to launch the Stiletto portable satellite radio this August, Verizon Wireless is countering with a hybrid Cell Phone and digital music player called “Chocolate”.

Verizon partnered with Korean consumer electronics giant LG to import the Chocolate to the American market.

LG has sold more than 1 million devices worldwide since May. Verizon has felt the competitive muscle of Apple’s iPod, as the Chocolate has has comparable storage to Apple’s 1GB Shuffle or 2GB Nano iPod designs.

Instead of trying to convert iPod devotees, Verizon will compete for customers by focusing on people who don’t yet have a portable digital music player, said John Harrobin, vice president of digital media for Verizon Wireless, during a conference call with reporters.

“Radio is heavily programmed and can be formulaic. But this mobile platform is an excellent device for music discovery,” he said.

SIRIUS is looking to break out of the confines of their structured channel lineup with the Zing, which is said to feature community music discovery features and dynamic playlist capabilities.

“Our personal live satellite radio product, Stiletto, is great,” Mel Karamazin, chief executive officer of Sirius, said on a conference call. “We have been beta testing it for a few weeks and we will have it available to consumers by the end of the summer.”

Verizon will sell the Chocolate phone for $149.99, with a two-year subscription and after a $50 rebate. V CAST songs cost 99 cents if purchased from a PC or $1.99 if purchased and downloaded over the air.

In comparison, SIRIUS Stiletto will likely retail for $350-$450, in line with comparable devices from XM such as the Inno and Helix.

Nonetheless, SIRIUS has the continued challenge of balancing retail hardware costs with a monthly subscription service. Compelling content is the enabler, however new devices such as Verizon’s Chocolate, Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s upcoming Zune player will make the back-to-school and holiday seasons competitive for the Stiletto.

Comment here.

NAB To FCC: Recall Satellite Receivers
Continuing its attack on satellite radio, the NAB, through Pres./CEO DAVID REHR, sent a letter to FCC Chairman KEVIN MARTIN on FRIDAY urging that all sales and distribution of satellite radio receivers and other FM transmission devices that do not comply with Part 15 emissions standards be halted and receivers already in consumers’ hands be recalled.

“Action is necessary to prevent even more disruption to listeners’ use and enjoyment of free over-the-air radio services,” REHR writes, “including new digital services, and the Commission has clear authority to vigorously enforce its rules regarding noncompliant devices.” The letter does not address disruption of subscribers’ use of satellite radio if a recall is ordered.

From: AllAccess.com

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Satellite Radio Superstore today added a new item to their website, the “SL10 Sirius Stiletto”.

From their site:
SL10 Sirius Stiletto receiver for satellite radio is expected to be released relatively soon. Right now, as we understand, this product will be a stripped down version of the Sirius Stiletto SL100-TK1, which comes with Wi-Fi technology.

Of course, there is no further details or pictures at the moment so we’ll keep you updated.

Orbitcast.com also has a write-up on this.

Comment Here.