More of this Feature • Part 1: Survival of the "fittest"

Related Resources • Freewheeling On Satellite • XM Gets Serious, Sirius Gets Panasonic

Elsewhere on the Web • XM Radio • Delphi

But, even so, Web Radio's trump can never be realized fully without satellites. It may very well become ingrained in households through separate hardware - aside from the computer - but the essence of web-based Radio is forever locked in cables and wires in the same way AM and FM stations are chained to transmitters of specified height and power.

But, something happened this week which I think will eventually overshadow them all.

Delphi Product & Service Solutions, a division of Delphi and XM Satellite Radio have unveiled a plug-and-play satellite radio. It's called SKYFi and it lets a user listen to XM's 101 channels anywhere.

It's billed as an “...attractive, compact unit that has the most advanced user features of any satellite radio on the market today. The receiver, along with vehicle and home accessory kits, will be available at major retail outlets beginning in October. SKYFi will retail for $129.99 (MSRP) for the receiver and remote control A required home or vehicle kit for $69.99 (MSRP) will complete the SKYFi system for under $200."

Delphi and XM have also introduced the "Delphi XM SKYFi Audio System". This is a PORTABLE audio unit. It ”integrates with the SKYFi receiver. The SKYFi Audio System (excluding the SKYFi receiver) will be sold at retail stores later this year for $99.99 ((MSRP). The SKYFi Audio System is a “boombox” that contains a pair of high quality speakers with an integrated high gain antenna and a dock for the SKYFi receiver. It can be powered by an A/C adaptor to create a high quality countertop/bookshelf XM system for the home or office, or used with batteries to experience XM in virtually any location.”

Robert Acker, Vice President of Product, Marketing and Strategy at XM says it's "an affordable next-generation XM radio that offers... portability, a large display, direct channel entry, the ability to preview and search XM channels by artists and song titles, and 20 channel presets."

Folks, the umbilical cord has been cut!

Put together the world's largest “antenna” (a satellite) coupled with an affordable receiver (SKYFi) and guess what? XM gets to put a ”Hello My Name is the future of Radio” badge on their shirt that says right below it:

MINE IS BIGGER THAN YOURS.

- Corey Deitz

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