Pioneer's portable XM Satellite
Radio player
Pioneer AirWave XM2Go
The product: Entering the portable satellite radio market, Pioneer announced the AirWare personal XM2Go player for XM's satellite radio service, which costs $9.95 a month. From a features standpoint, the Airware is nearly identical to Delphi's XM2Go player, XM's first portable offering. However, Pioneer's 7.2-ounce unit arguably has a slicker design and will cost the same ($350). Like the Delphi, it comes with adaptors for home and car use and wireless broadcasting via FM modulation to any tuner-equipped audio gear.

• 2.5-inch LCD
• Weighs 7.2 ounces
• 128MB of built-in memory stores 5 hours of prerecorded programming for times when satellite reception isn't available

The price: The Airware will retail for $350 when it comes out in spring 2005.

The prospects: This is an exciting category, and while we'd like to see Pioneer come in with a lower price than the Delphi, its brand name gives it an edge.

By David Carnoy, executive editor, CNET Reviews