SKYFI was Delphi's first and very successful XM Radio receiver. Its newest iteration introduced at
CES, SKYFi3, is immensely sleeker than its predecessors, and sports genuinely
useful new features.
Most notably, it can store
10 hours of XM programming for later playback. Clearly borrowing from MP3
player styling cues, the ’3 features a 2.8-inch screen that displays
horizontally or vertically, 30-minute pause and replay, wireless remote
control, internal FM transmitter, micro antenna, and a microSD card slot for
storing extra MP3 or WMA songs. The ‘3 is probably best suited for vehicle
playback (where most radio listening occurs) and a vehicle kit is included.
An optional wearable kit is Delphi's
available for handheld playback of stored programs (5 hours of battery time),
and home satellite playback is facilitated with
Premium Sound System. (MSRP is $120, plus XM Radio subscription).
Bonus Delphi XM news: In a
world of iPod docks, this dock doesn't do pods. In particular, Delphi's Premium
Sound System welcomes Delphi’s family of XM
Radio satellite receivers: SKYFi3, RoadyXT, MyFi, and the Audiovox’s Xpress
family of XM receivers (as well as Pioneer's Inno and Samsung's Helix with
optional adapter). The PSS has a built-in antenna, and runs on AC or batteries.
MSRP is $180.
—Ken C. Pohlmann
