Satellite 2.0 tuners due next month

Sirius XM plans to unveil two next-generation satellite radio tuners next month. The portable devices will give subscribers access to 30 new stations, enhanced time-shifting capability, and a slew of on-demand programming, but unless you plan on taping the new radio to your dash, you can't get these new features in your car until next year.

According to an article in Twice, a universal tuner designed to be installed in vehicles won't be released until some time in 2012. The entertainment company has also indicated that an automotive manufacturer will launch a 2013 model year vehicle with the new platform, but didn't say which one.

However, there's another way you can get some of the new features without buying a new piece of hardware or vehicle: the Sirius XM app. The Sirius XM app is available for iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry devices, and will also get the 30 new stations and on-demand programming, which means you can still listen to the new content in your car using your smartphone if your vehicle supports audio inputs or Bluetooth Audio. And it's probably just a matter of time until Entune, IntelliLink, and Sync integrate the app with their infotainment system to do away the hardware all together.

Source: Twice