[Danger Room via Dvice and M Ship Co]

And in case you were wondering, the fuel finder shot above is a new feature from the Sirius Traffic software found in in-vehicle navigation systems from Alpine (shown here), Eclipse and Panasonic. [Sirius]

We've already given you a rundown of the specs, but probably the coolest new attribute is its MicroSD card slot. There's no limit (yet) as to the capacity you can use to amp up the onboard storage. The slot is stashed under the battery, because Sirius doesn't think you'll be passing those tiny memory cards around. Also new are 802.11g for Sirius' internet audio stream up to 128Kbps, and redesigned car and speaker docks, shown with details in the annotated gallery below.

* SIRIUS and more on the go: enjoy SIRIUS radio PLUS your own personal MP3 music library anywhere
* Radio Replays: automatically stores hours of fresh programming
* Schedule recording: record up to 100 hours of your favorite shows or programs
* Wi-Fi connectivity: listen to SIRIUS Internet Radio over almost any accessible Wi-Fi network
* One-touch recording: quickly store up to 10 hours of individual songs from SIRIUS
* Expandable memory: add micro SD memory to accommodate your MP3 music collection
* Bookmark songs: tag favorite songs to buy using a compatible online music service
* SIRIUS Replay™: pause, rewind and replay up to 60 minutes of live radio
* Easy navigation: surf channels or media files on the fly
* Advanced audio processing: improved bass and customized listening environments
* Personalized Sports Ticker: real-time updates of your favorite sports
* Sports Alert™: track your favorite sports team and race driver
* My SIRIUS Studio™: upload and manage your MP3/WMA files
* Parental controls: easily lock and unlock channels
* Custom performance: add accessories to maximize the experience
* Complete kit includes radio, earbuds, headset antenna, battery, AC power adapter, PC cable and My
SIRIUS Studio™ software

We are preparing for the launch of some new after-market products, including a new wearable product, Stiletto 2, and a new Sportster SP5. Stay tuned for more details on these exciting new products next month.

We now believe that Sirius has reached market share parity in the wearable category and we expect to be the leader with the introduction of the new Stiletto 2 this fall.

Seeing as there haven't been any announcements, featurewise or otherwise, on the Sirius Stiletto 2, Jim's mention of the player is probably an unintentional slip. We just hope that the second edition fixes all the horrible headphone requirements the first version had. [Orbitcast]

Sirius Stiletto 10 Now Available [Orbitcast]

But if Travis the satellite radio lover is disappointed, there's nary a hope for the rest of us.  Jason Chen

Product Page [Sirius]

Thanks to Sizeasy!

Jump to find out why Ithe biggest satellite radio fanboy in the worldwas disappointed with the Sirius Stiletto.

Inside the Box
It was like Christmas day opening up the box to the Stiletto. I had been excited for this device over the past few months and the time was finally here. The box came loaded up with the usual packet of software/booklets, antenna headphones, earbuds, USB cable, two batteries, charger and the Stiletto unit.

After doing my best Wolverine impression with the batteries, I popped on the extended battery and began going to town.

Design
This is where the Stiletto takes its first negative hit. The dictionary defines a stiletto as a small danger with a slender, tapering blade. The Stiletto is less of a slender blade and more of a bulky brick.

Holding the Stiletto is like holding a small brick. It isn't very comfortable, it is just awkward to hold, and even more awkward when placed in the pocket for transportation (because it didn't include a belt clip).

The main controls were surprisingly pleasing. It has a rubber, circular wheel that was very easy to spin around, and pushing on each direction on the wheel acts as a button (think iPod). Around the wheel there are four corner buttons: back, home, options and display. The four buttons on the wheel are for pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding and recording.

The power button/hold switch and volume controls on the side aren't as pleasing. It seems like Sirius put too much effort into making those buttons look slim and sleek, rather than functional. It is a pain in the ass to turn the device on with the tiny switch and the volume controls are too small to begin with.

Reception
This is where the Stiletto takes a major hit. My first problem was trying to activate the device. To do so you need clear satellite reception and apparently standing out on the patio wasn't enough because of obstructions in the sky. I had to go outside into my parking lot with the antenna headphones to get clear enough of a signal to activate the Stiletto. Forget trying to use the Stiletto with satellite reception inside, unless you have the optional home kits that run upwards of $70.

For the review purpose, without having to take the pictures outside, I had to place the unit up against my patio door with the antenna headphones to get a single bar of reception, which cut in and out half the time.

So the Stiletto's satellite reception sucks indoors, that is where Wi-Fi comes in, right? Yes, somewhat. After painstakingly setting up my Wi-Fi network with the Stiletto, it was able to receive "Internet Radio," which is limited to the music channels and a couple talk channels, including Howard. It is limited to 802.11b Wi-Fi, so speed is a bit of an issue.

Listening
There are three options for listening to Sirius Satellite music: through satellite, Internet or recorded/saved music.

Listening to satellite radio through the Stiletto requires a couple things. First you have to be outdoors with a pretty clear shot at the sky. Feel like running in a forest? Nope. You also pretty much have to be wearing the antenna headphones. These ungodly ugly headphones wrap over the head and jam into your ears in a very uncomfortable fashion. See the picture above to get an idea what these headphones are like. You can listen to satellite radio from the Stiletto in the car, but that requires the optional $70 car kit. Also, listening to satellite radio eats the batteries (two hours with the slim battery, four with the extended).

Internet radio is the second listening option. First off, you have to be in a Wi-Fi network with good reception and access. The Stiletto will detect all of the networks in range and will allow you to connect and even enter the encryption codes. The sound quality for the Internet radio is absolutely horrible. It is maybe 32 kbps streams (which is probably a small step better than AM). Sirius does allow you to get high quality internet streams ... for an additional $3 per month. Lame.

Listening to downloaded music or recorded streams is the third option. While listening to the Stiletto in satellite mode, you can push the down button on the wheel and it will automatically record the song you are on. It is called the Stiletto 100 because it is capable of recording up to 100 hours, which is actually a measly 2GB flash drive. There is also the option to connect the Stiletto to your PC and put your own downloaded music onto the Stiletto.

I took this with me over the span of a day to test it out. I listened to it at home through the Internet radio, then listened directly to satellite on a walk to class, then listened in class through Internet radio again, then took it in the car listening to recorded music (I don't have the car kit and the weak antenna headphones didn't receive enough signal) and ended at home with Internet radio again. Overall, it was a pain in the ass to swap around between the different modes throughout the day. I would have much rather had my iPod that played the same no matter where I was.

Interface
The interface was pretty solid. It was extremely easy to navigate and operate. It also looks pretty on the 2-inch color screen. It can get a little laggy at times, but that is common with a lot of portable media player interfaces.

It also has a stock and sports ticker, which was definitely nice.

Conclusion
The bottom line: the Sirius Stiletto is an overpriced device that doesn't live up to the hype. Trying to listen to the device became more of a pain in the ass than the $350 price tag is worth. Add in the fact that it is not aesthetically pleasing and requires two $70 accessories to make this already overpriced device a little more functional, the Stiletto is definitely placed into the "overpriced p.o.s." category.  Travis Hudson

Product Page

Sirius Stiletto 100 in the Wild (photos + Video) [Orbitcast]

a really cool menu system that didn't take you out of your song playback screen. Come to think of it, it reminded me of OS X's dock. And the wheel wasn't touch based, but it seemed to work ok for a not-iPod.Brian Lam

The SIRIUS website even got an official product page, but the Buy Now link is kind of borked. The press release say that the Stiletto 100 is available this month, and given there is only a week left in the month, I presume that means it is available nowif only the Buy Now link would work.  Travis Hudson

It's Official: SIRIUS Announced the Stiletto [Orbitcast]

Update: Tipster, Erik, e-mailed in to mention that Howard Stern was talking about the Stiletto today on his show, and mentioned that the Stiletto would go on sale today. Too bad that damn Buy Now link still doesn't work on the SIRIUS page.
Update again: Alright, it lets you add to your cart and it says shipping begins on October 4. Mine is ordered, duh. Try this link, here.

Today I gave the guys a roundup about all of Apple's new iPod junk from their Showtime event a couple weeks ago. Check out our roundup post of all the goods here. Also on the discussion board was the SIRIUS Stiletto. This is the new portable music player from SIRIUS that can stream music live from either the satellites or through a Wi-Fi connection in addition to playing recorded music. Get all of the Stiletto info that you can handle here. Thanks for listening and tune in every week to hear me on the Covino & Rich Show on Maxim Radio, SIRIUS 108.

Retailers Told to Suspend SIRIUS Stiletto Pre-Orders [Orbitcast]

Hop on over to Slashgear for the full movie.  Jason Chen

SIRIUS Stiletto SL100PK1: First Ever Video! [Slashgear]

Aside from Wi-Fi and a satellite reciever, the slim Stiletto 100 packs Bluetooth, meaning that might let users link to other Stiletto users...

Finally a Sirius IPod Threat [Via Orbitcast]

P.S. You can now preorder the Stiletto (both models) over at Crutchfield.

Stiletto and Soloist - so happy together [Orbitcast]

Click for the full size image.  Travis Hudson

Stiletto: More Pics and Product Sheet [Orbitcast]

Other information has surfaced from this press event regarding the highly anticipated (for me, at least) Stiletto portable music players. We first heard details about the Stiletto 100 last week when some Crutchfield catalog scans hit the Interweb. The Stiletto 100 will be able to store up to 100 hours of audio, includes Wi-Fi and an antenna for live SIRIUS streaming. It will be available in September for $350.

The Stiletto 10 will store 10 hours of audio and is essentially the same as it's bustier brother except the lack of Wi-Fi and the cheaper ($250) price tag. The Stiletto 10 will be available in October.  Travis Hudson

Starmate4, Sportster3, Stiletto 100 & 10 Details [Orbitcast]

Here's the deal, the Stiletto 100 will feature an integrated antenna for true satellite radio playback. It will also include a headphone jack (duh) and an antenna jackfor a home/car kit. It can store up to 100 hours of tunes in MP3 or WMA format. It will feature Wi-Fi technology for Internet streaming. Include two batteriesa standard battery and an extended life battery that provides a measly four hours of satellite radio playback, 14 hours of Wi-Fi playback and 22 hours of stored tune playback. We aren't sure if this info is for the standard, extended or both batteries. Lastly, and unfortunately, the Stiletto will retail for a blistering $400.

Crutchfield has confirmed that the Stiletto will be hitting their website as of September 1 with units available later that month. Although, rumors are circulating that Circuit City and Best Buy will be receiving Stiletto units this month.  Travis Hudson

Sirius Stiletto 100 - FOUND [Orbitcast]

Sirius to launch new handheld later this summer [Reuters]

" The device will not be a full-time live wearable receiver. Instead, it will come with the option to plug in an antenna/power module to enable on-the-go listening. Hence the connector at the TOP of the unit seen in Mel's hand.
" The device is not designed by Ziba (the agency that designed the Sirius S50).
" The Sirius Stiletto SL100-TK1 has been pushed back to September/Fall as Sirius awaits more color on RIAA-related issues with XM on both the legislature/lawsuit front.
" The final device will be black (as opposed to the unit we saw Mel waiving around) and will look like a "wider S50."
" There will be two devices: the first will be the Zing player which is pretty much an S50 with added Wi-Fi abilities. The second will be the Stiletto with a Live option.

Sirius Stiletto: Rumored Bits & Pieces [Orbicast]