Sirius introduces recording
function at CES 2005
Sirius Sportster IR
The product: Sirius's Sportster receiver has proven popular because of its portability--the palm-size unit can be easily shuttled between the home or office and the car. The new Sportster IR has been redesigned to be even sleeker and now features an FM transmitter that lets you choose among 100 different frequencies to broadcast Sirius programming to your car or home stereo. But best of all, the IR finally offers internal memory that lets you record up to 44 minutes of programming to play back later.

The price: Pricing for the Sportster IR has not yet been determined, but Sirius expects the receiver to be available by mid-2005.

The prospects: XM was first to offer receivers with the ability to time-shift programming from its satellite radio service--such as the Delphi XM MyFi--and Sirius will finally catch up with the IR's ability to store that segment of Howard Stern you missed when you went to get coffee and a donut (he joins the programming lineup in 2006). If 44 minutes of buffer isn't enough for your needs, Xact will be releasing its Rego receiver, which will offer four hours of recording time for Sirius subscribers. Those living in urban areas where the airwaves are jam-packed with stations will also appreciate the IR's improved FM transmitter.

By Sean Portnoy, senior associate editor, CNET Reviews