Early details slip of iPod-like XM portable radio

XM Satellite Radio is gearing up to launch a handheld radio and media player combo that would finally take over from the phased out Pioneer Inno (pictured) and Delphi's Sky-Fi radio, according to a leak floated by Orbitcast. Codenamed Phoenix, he portable would be smaller than the Inno but put in a jogwheel for navigating stations and tracks much like the iPod as well as Delphi's Sky-Fi 2.

The device will have more of its own memory for recording shows and will also add a microSD slot, though copyrights will limit the removable cards to the user's own music rather than transferring XM shows.

A stub antenna is allegedly part of the design, as with the Inno, while a larger screen is also integral to the jukebox; Wi-Fi may be present to pull Internet data, though this hasn't been confirmed. XM is rumored to be preparing the radio for a fall launch but hasn't leaked a final name, pricing, or other details.

Filed under: gadgets
Other story tags: XM, Pioneer, Delphi