LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pioneer Electronics (USA),
Inc. and XM Satellite Radio today unveiled the Pioneer Inno(TM), the next-
generation portable XM2go satellite radio that plays live satellite radio "on
the go" and both MP3s and WMAs, heralding a major milestone in portable audio.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060104/DCW003 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/XMSATLOGO )
The Pioneer Inno offers the long-awaited combination of MP3 and live XM
Satellite Radio reception in a sleek, handheld device. The wearable radio
delivers XM's 160 digital radio channels of commercial-free music and premier
sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming live and nationwide. It
plays MP3 and WMAs, and it has a time-shifting memory mode for storage and
playback of XM content.
A particularly innovative feature of the Inno allows the user to
"bookmark" songs heard on XM, connect the Inno to a personal computer, and
instantly purchase the songs from the XM + Napster online service.
"For music fans, XM Satellite Radio and MP3s are the biggest things to
happen in decades, and now you can get the best of both worlds in a single
device that fits in the palm of your hand," said Hugh Panero, President and
CEO of XM Satellite Radio.
"XM's on-air hosts play the richest, deepest variety of music ever heard
on the radio. When you combine live XM Radio with a portable MP3 player that
lets you buy songs you hear on XM from Napster, you have a 360-degree music
experience. Consumers and critics alike have been clamoring for a portable
player that plays live satellite radio and MP3s. And now, the wait is over,"
Panero said.
"The Pioneer Inno delivers where other personal music players have fallen
short," said Larry Rougas, vice president of marketing and product planning
for mobile entertainment at Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc. "In the past, the
consumer has been able to do one of two things: listen to satellite radio or
listen to music downloaded from their own collection. Now, the consumer can
have their personal favorites and also be exposed to great new artists through
XM programming. Adding the XM functionality to an MP3 player means you're no
longer a prisoner to your own playlist."
The Pioneer Inno has flash memory storage for MP3/WMA files and XM
content. The Inno can store up to 50 hours of XM programming. At only 4.5
ounces and 3.7 H" x 2.2 W" x 0.6 D," the Inno is extremely light and easy to
take along anywhere.
The Pioneer Inno uses a new, state-of-the-art satellite/terrestrial
internal antenna for live reception of XM Satellite Radio. It has a full-
color, 180 X 180 pixels TFT display and a user-friendly interface for saving
and deleting content. Users can build personal playlists using a mix of XM
content and tracks from their own digital music collection. The unit has a
memory buffer to make it easy to store an entire track heard in XM, even if
the user starts storing it in the middle of a song.
Inno also has a built-in, wireless FM transmitter that beams XM to any FM
radio. It offers a personal stock quotes ticker and sport score ticker, a
category list for saving and playing favorite channels, and the popular
TuneSelect feature, which tells the listener a favorite artist or song
whenever it is played on any XM channel.
Inno comes with headphones and all of the accessories needed for portable
and home use. Optional accessories sold separately include a vehicle kit, boom
boxes, and mini audio systems.
The Pioneer Inno (MSRP: $399.99) will arrive at retailers in the first
quarter of 2006.
About XM Satellite Radio
XM (Nasdaq: XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio service.
Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City and
Nashville at the Country Music Hall of Fame, XM offers 160 digital channels of
choice from coast to coast: the most commercial-free music channels, premier
sports, talk, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most
advanced traffic and weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for
the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota,
Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, and Volkswagen/Audi, is available in more than 130
different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are
available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information
about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit
http://www.xmradio.com.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM
Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third
party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other
risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on 11-07-05. Copies of the filing are
available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.
SOURCE XM Satellite Radio; Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc.
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Related links: http://www.xmradio.com
Photo Notes: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060104/DCW003 AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5 NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/XMSATLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT: David Butler of XM Satellite Radio, +1-202-380-4317, david.butler@xmradio.com; or Jaed Arzadon of Pioneer Electronics, +1-310-952-2451, jaed.arzadon@pioneer-usa.com
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