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.

The XM SkyDock is one of the first radios to be released with the new PowerConnect technology. This new system provides two major benefits.First it’s easy to connect, just plug and play with no need for extra wires. Secondly it sounds better out of the box by using the cigarette lighter as a grounding device. This FCC approved solution is a welcomed advancement from weaker FM Transmitters because of it’s easy setup.

The SkyDock is a different way for iPod Touch or iPhone users to get SIRIUS XM channels. Keep in mind the official SIRIUS XM app works a bit different. On that app your channels are limited to only the online ones. SkyDock opens up the full spectrum of channels. The advantage of the official SIRIUS XM app is the ability to take the service on the go. You can combine the two if you choose.

Besides the XM SkyDock transforming your iPod touch/iPhone into a Plug and Play Satellite Radio it has some useful and fun features. It has customizable presets, Artist or Song Alerts, which notify you when your favorite song or artist are on. But it also has the tagging feature. You can tag a song while listening and easily purchase later from iTunes. It also has the ability to track your favorite sports teams and alert you of the score while they are playing. The SkyDock mounts on a flexible stalk that holds securely in your cigarette lighter adapter. There is no need for additional hardware. For those that have an Aux In jack on the front of your car radio you can use that to connect in lieu of using the PowerConnect. The XM SkyDock is available for Pre-Order now at many retailer such as TSS-Radio. The SkyDock app is available for download on Sunday Oct 11th and the XM SkyDock will be available in limited quantities on Sunday Oct 18th.

Feature Breakdown

-Easy way to get XM in your vehicle with iPod Touch or iPhone

-PowerConnect Technology easy to setup and sounds great

-Presets, Artist and Song Alert

-Sports Teams Alert

-All necessary hardware and mounting included