Digital Trends

Pioneer AirWare XM2Go

June 28th, 2005 | by Rebecca Day

Design and Features

For anyone spoiled by the sleek and slim design of the iPod and other MP3 players, the AirWare will seem thick by comparison. At 7.2 ounces it's on the hefty side for a portable. The memory portion allows you to get programming when you're out of reach of a satellite signal, and given its 7.2-ounce heft, that's more likely to be a desk in an office rather than on an armband at the gym. It won't be your jogging partner. But it will work outdoors with headphones, in the car with the supplied accessories, or indoors connected to an audio system. That's a generous assortment of options.

Features include 30 presets, divided into 3 bands of 10 each. You'll use them all if you're a true XM fan. You can also punch in a channel directly which is useful if you're listening to a St. Louis Cardinal game on channel 182.

TuneSelect automatically notifies you when a particular song or artist is playing on any of XM's 100-plus channels. You then have the option of switching to that channel. In theory that's a cool idea, but if I want to hear a song that much, I'll download it from Napster and record it to my Rio. There's a stock ticker that shows you the trading price of 20 stocks you want to track. That might be an attractive feature in a more bullish economy.

The most useful feature is the time-shifting memory mode. You can set a timer to record up to 5 hours of XM programming which you can listen to later when out of sight of the signal.

Customization features allow you to boost bass or treble and change the audio level. A built-in FM transmitter broadcasts the signal through powered speakers or a car radio. Add to that a sleep timer and alarm, and it does more than most people will use.

Image courtesy Pioneer Electronics