Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Thursday said it will introduce a small portable device for its subscription radio service that can store 50 hours of music, news and programs from Sirius channels.
The new device, roughly the size of a deck of playing cards, underscores the trend of the converging consumer electronics devices, specifically satellite radio with digital music players.
With the success of Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod digital music player, many consumer electronics makers have been looking for ways to add digital music as a feature on other devices such as cellphones and other handheld devices.
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Sirius’ device comes a month after Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. said it would sell a digital music player that can receive satellite signals from Sirius’ larger rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. XM also has a deal with Napster Inc. to start a service that allows users to buy music they hear on XM stations.
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Sirius’ new device, dubbed the S50, is the company’s first device to be used outside the confines of cars and trucks. The automotive market accounts for the vast majority of satellite radio usage. The unit will have a suggested retail price of $359.99.
XM subscribers outnumber Sirius subscribers more than 2-to-1, but Sirius has been investing heavily in programming, including expensive contracts with shock jock Howard Stern and the National Football League.














