With the big CES show coming up, several radio consumer electronics products have been honored.
Sirius said that three of its products have been recognized for advancements in consumer technology design and engineering by the Consumer Electronics Association. They are the Backseat TV audio/video tuner, Stiletto 2 portable satellite radio and Sportster 5 dock and play radio.
Sirius Backseat TV received a Best of Innovations award in the 2008 International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards, in the in-vehicle video product category. Stiletto 2 was honored in the portable media player category, Sportster 5 for in-vehicle audio. The Innovations Awards honor excellence in consumer technology design and engineering.
XM said that four of its products were recognized.
All three of the new additions to the Xpress family of plug and play radios are among honorees in personal electronics as well as the Bushnell ONIX 400, a handheld GPS device that can access XM channels of audio entertainment, as well as a graphical real-time XM Weather map display.
Apple iTunes tagging with HD Radio technology is featured in two recognized products: Alpine Electronics’ TUA-T550HD in the in-vehicle audio category and Polk Audio’s I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 in the enabling technologies category.
With iTunes tagging, consumers using HD Radio receivers equipped with a special button can “tag” songs they hear on FM HD Radio stations and sync those with their iPods for listening or later purchase.
CBS, Clear Channel, Cumulus, Cox, Entercom, Greater Media and other broadcast groups have said they are installing iTunes tagging technology in HD Radio broadcasts. In addition to Alpine and Polk, JBL and other manufacturers will have HD-R receivers with iTunes tagging available in 2008.
