Sony is expanding its mobile audio lineup with eight new in-dash CD receivers. The new models range from entry-level units to advanced receivers and digital media players that offer SiriusXM satellite radio and Pandora internet radio connectivity in the car.

“Consumers want their audio choices personalized to match their individual needs and preferences, especially while they are in their cars,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Audio Product Division at Sony Electronics. “Sony is redefining content selection in the car. Whether someone wants convenient access to commercial-free music and sports, news, talk and entertainment from SiriusXM, music discovery services like Pandora or iPod and iPhone compatibility, we now have a solution at lower prices than ever before: We now offer SiriusXM compatibility from as low as $90 SRP and Pandora compatibility from as low as $130 SRP.”

Universal SiriusXM™ Satellite Connectivity

Four of the new models (CDX-GT565UP, CDX-GT660UP, CDX-360MP, CDX-GT56UI) feature SiriusXM compatibility, using the new SXV100 SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner Kit (sold separately, XM subscription required). The compact SiriusXM vehicle tuner has a simple connection, providing integration of SiriusXM in an inexpensive and easy-to-install package. The SiriusXM vehicle tuner also provides numerous new features including the ability for listeners to pause and rewind live SiriusXM satellite radio.

The entry-level CDX-GT360MP model is SiriusXM compatible plus offers great sound quality from its built-in equalizer and powerful 52×4 watt high power amplifier – all at an affordable price point of $90 SRP. The step-up CDX-GT56UI model offers all the features of the CDX-GT360MP receiver and adds iPod and iPhone control, allowing users to control digital music using the USB 1-wire, and 7 Band Digital Equalizer, Time Alignment and Automatic Level Optimizer.

The CDX-GT565UP model, also SiriusXM compatible, allows users to stream Pandora from an iPhone, customize the receiver’s illumination to complement existing lighting components with the Dynamic Color Illuminator and create an impressive listening experience with the Advanced Sound Engine. Users can also control digital music players using the USB 1-Wire feature. The receiver features Automatic Level Optimizer, which analyzes each track’s playback levels and adjusts output level to optimize transitions between tracks and sources.  The CDX-GT660UP unit adds a drop down panel design, two line LCD display and SensMe™ channels to organize music into playlists that perfectly match any mood, scene or location.

“The SXV100 connects drivers and their passengers to entirely commercial-free music and exclusive entertainment they can only find on SiriusXM,” said Sean Gibbons, Vice President, Consumer Electronics Product Marketing, SiriusXM. “We are thrilled that Sony is introducing a car stereo lineup that is SiriusXM-Ready, giving customers the ability to control and enjoy satellite radio on the road.”

Sony offers SiriusXM capability, starting at only $90 SRP, on the CDX-360MP, CDX-GT56UI, CDX-GT565UP and CDX-GT660UP models.

Stream Pandora Wirelessly – From Any Device

Sony’s two newest Digital Media Players, the DSX-S210X and DSX-S310BTX models, feature an integrated Tune Tray to connect and control an MP3 player without unsightly and distracting wires, dual USB 1-wire inputs and an easy to read 4-line OEL display. Both also feature the SensMe application, to better organize playlists.

The Pandora integration on the DSX-S210X and the Bluetooth® enabled.

DSX-S310BTX digital media players allows listeners to stream Pandora via the application on their smartphone, and transfers the Pandora-related controls to the head unit. Both models allow listeners to access their personalized Pandora stations and the ability to fine-tune the listening experience by offering thumb ratings directly on the receiver. The DSX-S210X digital media player is iPhone compatible; the DSX-S310BTX is iPhone compatible and is also the first aftermarket product to offer Pandora integration with the Android™ and Blackberry® smartphone platforms.

“The car is the most popular place to listen to the radio,” said Jessica Steel, executive vice president of Business Development at Pandora. “We are excited that Sony is making Pandora available in its in-dash receivers, enabling seamless access for iPhone, Android and Blackberry users alike.”

Sony offers Pandora compatible receivers starting at only $130 SRP and up to $280 SRP on the CDX-GT565UP, CDX-GT660UP, DSX-S210X and DSX S310BTX models.

Entry-Level Value, Top-of-the-Line Sound

Also joining the car audio lineup are the CDX-GT260MP and the CDX-GT40U receivers. The CDX-GT260MP model is a front auxiliary model with a slot panel design that features crisp and clear sound at an affordable price. The receiver delivers 52 watts of peak power to all four speakers for powerful output (208 watts total power) while the red key illumination helps users locate buttons quickly during evening playback. The CDX-GT40U unit additionally offers a front USB connector and intuitive search features Quick-BrowZer®, which finds music by artist, album, genre, song or playlist, and ZAPPIN™, which plays a 6/9/30 second introduction clip to help find a specific song. Also included in the CDX-GT40U model is Automatic Level Optimizer. All six CDX models also feature a Digital Clarity Tuner™. A conventional tuner loses stereo sound of FM radio when further away from the station, but the new digital processing tuner expands stereo area, improving sound performance.

Pricing and Availability

Each of the new in-dash models will be available in September, at the following suggested retail prices:

Within the new CDX lineup, the CDX-GT260MP, CDX-GT360MP, CDX-GT40U, CDX-GT56UI, CDX-GT565UP and CDX-GT660UP models have an SRP of $70, $90, $95, $100, $130 and $150, respectively.

The DSX-S210X model has an SRP of about $200 and the DSX-S310BTX model has an SRP of about $280.

Sirius XM updated their iPhone app yesterday to version 1.3.3 (Link). Included in this update is the ability to multitask (thanks to iOS4), reduced buffer while on a cellular network and the ability to organize favorite channels. Also included are several new settings and various bug fixes to improve stability. So far the reviews look positive with the only issue being the absence of Howard Stern.

Sirius XM also released a new version of the XM SkyDock app yesterday but unfortunately excluded the ability to multitask. The only update was improved accessory connections while using iOS4.

If you are using the updated iPhone app leave a comment and let us know what you think.

SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI – News) today announced that the XM SkyDock(TM), the first satellite radio controlled by an iPod touch or iPhone, is available for purchase in stores across the country including the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Best Buy, Radio Shack, independent retailers and online retailers (www.tss-radio.com), including www.xmradio.com/skydock.

“We are excited to launch XM SkyDock at our subscribers’ favorite retailers,” said Bob Law, Group Vice President and General Manager, After Market Division, SIRIUS XM Radio. “The XM SkyDock can bring live satellite radio entertainment to millions of iPod touch and iPhone users in their vehicles.”

Subscribers can enjoy all of XM and the complete “Best of SIRIUS” programming package controlled by their iPod touch or iPhone anywhere they drive. XM SkyDock will also charge iPod touch and iPhone devices while listening to satellite radio.

The required XM SkyDock App utilizes the innovative Multi-Touch user interface of iPhone and iPod touch to let customers experience the breadth of content SIRIUS XM subscribers have come to enjoy. The XM SkyDock App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

Subscribers can easily tag songs and purchase them from the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) –including songs on SIRIUS XM’s 24/7 artist-branded commercial-free channels such as Jimmy Buffett’s Radio Margaritaville, Elvis Radio, Eminem’s Shade 45, The Grateful Dead Channel, B.B. King’s Bluesville, Willie Nelson’s Willie’s Place, and Siriusly Sinatra.

XM SkyDock comes with SIRIUS XM’s PowerConnect(TM) technology, which simplifies vehicle installation, working through the existing vehicle radio and making it easy to move from vehicle to vehicle. An Aux In Cable is a standard in-box accessory to facilitate Aux In connections in vehicles with Aux In capability.

XM SkyDock is compatible with iPod touch (1st and 2nd generation), iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. All models require iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

To view the interactive demo and to learn more about XM SkyDock, please visit www.xmradio.com/skydock.

To learn more about XM, please visit www.xmradio.com.

Do yourself a favor, and check out the video on XM. If you are a satellite radio fan, you will be thrilled with the XM SkyDock.

Skydock may seem simple, but there is a lot of technology bundled into the device.  The SkyDock works in concert with an iPhone or iPod touch through a free application that can be downloaded directly from iTunes.   If you are familiar with Apple apps, you already know the myriad of things that they can do for you.  Now apply that process to a satellite radio service that offers well over 100 channels of music, sports, and talk programming, and you can begin to appreciate exactly what these software applications are capable of.

One key element of SkyDock that is not getting as much attention as it should is the PowerConnect technology.  This allows the Skydock to be powered and mounted directly to a cars cigarette lighter adapter.  PowerConnect not only powers the device, but allows you to tie in to your cars existing stereo system with ease that simply did not exist before.  With PowerConnect, you can have your Sirius XM programming broadcast through an FM channel on your existing stereo.  If your car has an auxillary input, you can utilize that as well.

An XM SkyDock combined with an iPhone puts many things right at your fingertips.  You have satellite radio, your phone, your contact list, emails,  and all of the apps that you are already used to in one convenient place.  The satellite radio chips are embedded into the SkyDock, but that does not mean you need to keep the iPhone docked to listen to your tunes.  Undocked, an iPhone with the Sirius XM Internet Radio app allows you to stream most channels directly through your iPhone.

The XM SkyDock is feature driven and with the SkyDock or Sirius XM Radio apps, you finally have a source for music discovery (or rediscovery) that simply did not exist before.  It is the perfect marriage between satellite radio and iTunes.  Tagging is great, but the features do not stop there.  Users can mark their favorite channels, set alerts for specific artists,  access a sports ticker, and even track the stock market through the stock tracking feature.

SkyDock is available now through standard retailers nationwide, as well as retailers like TSS-Radio that specialize in satellite radio.  Whether you are a long time subscriber or jest now considering satellite radio, your experience with SkyDock will be positive.  Simply stated, SkyDock is the best satellite radio ever made, and you wont regret giving it a try.

It has only been a few days since Sirius XM Radio released the SkyDock and after looking around the Web it appears that Sirius XM has a really great product that consumers have been looking for.

I found three reviews on Amazon.com stating:

Absolutely Impressed!!!

XM SkyDock is a winner

Great product and Xmas gift !!!

then I took a look over at Bestbuy.com and saw “WOW! Best Sounding iPhone Dock PERIOD!”

This is pretty exciting news considering the product was released early by Sirius XM. I also expect the SkyDock to be a popular item for Satellite Listeners this Christmas.

If you picked up a SkyDock we would love to hear what you think about it. Stop over by our forums ( Digital Radio Central ) and give us a review.

I’m was recently thinking about getting Sirius XM for the office at work and it looks like the SkyDock may be just what I need.

Imagine a single device that can serve as your phone, address book, calendar, as well as your satellite radio.   There are many music services available through iTunes, but none can give you the live experience that satellite radio can deliver.  Consumers now have access to talk radio and sports like never before.  Whether you are a baseball fanatic, and NFL nut, a right wing conservative, a left wing liberal, there is content for you.  It does not stop there either.  Sirius XM delivers talk on virtually any subject.  Shock jocks, cooking, alternative lifestyles, and legal advice all have a home at Sirius XM.  If news is your thing, you are covered there as well.

Sure, you could download app after app to try to imitate what Sirius XM offers, but there is something to be said about the convenience that Sirius XM offers.  Everything in one place with easy to navigate menus.  You can even be alerted when your favorite artist or song is on.

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you should consider giving the SkyDock and SkyDock app a try.  All the content that fit to air, and it charges your phone to boot! To download the app go into your iTunes account and search SIRIUS XM. There should be two apps from SIRIUS XM Radio Inc, the official SIRIUS XM app, and the SIRIUS XM SkyDock app.