UPDATE: I just want to point out that the AP story has been updated to be somewhat less misleading. Previously it read "More Choice in Satellite Radio Years Off" but now the article, written by Christopher S. Rugaber, reads: "'A La Carte' Satellite Radio a Year Away."

Also, there's a bit of confusion surrounding the timing. Understand that the "3 years" cited here is based off of Barrington Research's estimates for OEM radios (due to the lag time that automakers tend to require) that does not mean Retail radios will suffer the same slowness in getting to market. Sirius and XM have said, from the beginning, that the A La Carte receivers will be available to customers within one-year after the merger is complete. I just wanted to make sure this was clear.

Following the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., it could take up to three years before new cars would feature both services in "a la carte" packages.

That's the prediction of media analyst Jim Goss at Barrington Research, who told the Associated Press that automakers require lead times of several years to update dashboards with new products. As a result, cars with interoperable radios likely wouldn't be on dealer lots for up to three years.

That's not to say that both Sirius and XM won't be providing "best of" programming (see: will my radio still work?), which essentially is simulcasting of certain content from one service to another. We don't know exactly what big-name programming will be available yet - those content agreements all need to be worked out once the deal is finalized.

Still, analysts seem to think that few current subscribers will pony up for the new receivers.

Perhaps 5% to 10% of current subscribers "might go through the trouble" of buying new radios for the "a la carte" option, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Kit Spring wrote in a recent note to clients.

So here's a question:
Since most of you are current Sirius or XM subscribers - would you buy a new receiver when the "a la carte" enable radios come out?

Remember when I said internet in your car may come sooner than you think? Well guess what, Chrysler is saying it will be the first car company to provide in-car Internet access - availability will come later this year.

The third-largest U.S. automaker will have the capability added to existing vehicles by dealers beginning this year, and later will be factory-installed on the assembly line.

The Washington Post is reporting that Chrysler will use a cellular signal and a mobile phone account to give passengers access to the web.

"We want to make the radio itself a WiFi port," said Frank Klegon, Chrysler's product development chief.

And this is just the beginning of Chrysler's connectivity plans. Hey DOJ, are you watching this?

[Washington Post via Autoblog, Engadget]

The XM NavTraffic real-time traffic service will be available in the brand spankin' new 2009 Infiniti FX. Indeed, all Infiniti vehicles for the 2009 model year will feature XM standard and XM NavTraffic when equipped with a navigation system.

XM NavTraffic is also offered as a standard feature on the Infiniti M, EX, G, G Coupe, M and QX models when equipped with a Navigation System. Click the jump to see interior photos...

Chrysler introduced its full lineup of the Sirius-equipped 2009 Dodge Challenger model lineup - the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Challenger R/T and Challenger SE - with pricing starting in the low $20's.

Aside from the obvious muscle-car requirements: a monstrous 6.1L 425hp HEMI in the SRT8, and a 5.7L 370hp HEMI in the R/T - the cars are packed with technological advances on the inside, which Sirius is a part of.

Inside the 2009 Dodge Challenger you'll find an available MyGIG multimedia audio and entertainment system, with built-in navigation; "UConnect" Hands-free Bluetooth for voice-activated communication with cell phones; and of course, Sirius Satellite Radio.

Similar to what I said about the Genesis Coupe, owners of the Dodge Challenger are very conscious about having all the features activated and operating in "their baby" - so they'll, more than likely, be an instant subscriber conversion.

View interior photos after the jump...

While it's not necessarily "news" that the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe will feature XM (since all new Hyundais will feature XM), the car itself is newsworthy and XM gets to capitalize on the buzz.

Hyundai's new rear-wheel drive sport coupe, called "the most-affordable 300-horsepower sport coupe on the planet," will arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2009. And Hyundai pulled no punches in unveiling it yesterday with explosions, a live rock band and stunt drivers whipping the car around (video coming soon).

"The Genesis Coupe buyer, in addition to being a driving enthusiast, has wide-ranging music and entertainment tastes," said Tim Benner, Hyundai Motor America's National Manager of product development. "XM Radio is a natural addition to a long list of standard features that support a dynamic Genesis Coupe lifestyle."

A bit more refined than a boy-racer car, the Genesis Coupe will definitely appeal to a demographic who would be more likely to convert to a subscriber (the enthusiast who must have all the toys).

Check out photos of the interior after the jump...

Orbitcast is live at the New York International Autoshow today!

These are two enormous signs on the front of the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan. In fact, both Sirius and XM have more of a presence in front of the building than any of the auto manufacturers.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its debut today at the NY Autoshow, will offer XM NavTraffic as a standard, factory-installed feature when equipped with Nissan's Hard Drive Navigation system.

All XM NavTraffic equipped models come with a 3-month complimentary subscription.

XM NavTraffic is available on Nissan Murano, Armada, Altima, Altima Coupe, Altima Hybrid, and Pathfinder, as part of packages equipped with a navigation system. NavTraffic will soon be available on the 2009 GT-R.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima interior, dubbed the "Super Cockpit" by Nissan's design team, also features a number of technologies (in addition to the Hard Drive nav system with XM NavTraffic) including a RearView Monitor, Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

Click the jump to see interior/dash photos...

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The second-generation 2009 Acura TSX, which will be unveiled today at the 2008 New York Autoshow, will integrate the new XM NavWeather real-time weather tracking service with "Threat Matrix" technology as part of a multitude of technological features found in Acura's Technology Package.

Acura's Technology Package adds XM NavWeather alongside the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, and AcuraLink - which provides real-time traffic powered by XM NavTaffic. The new TSX will also, and obviously, offer XM Satellite Radio.

XM NavWeather (which we first saw on the Acura RL at the Chicago Auto Show) integrates with the TSX's Navigation System to display information via color weather icons or warning signals on-screen, and gives the driver the option to easily re-route around a storm's path. The service also provides multi-day forecasts based on weather monitoring stations across the United States.

And while XM NavWeather's "Threat Matrix" technology sounds rather perilous, it's main focus is to disseminate a large amount of data and provide it to the driver for "eyes on road" use. Threat Matrix tracks nationwide weather information for more than 20 different weather conditions, then scales and customizes this detail to the driver's specific location and route.

The new Acura TSX comes with a USB port, AUX jack, and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, while the Technology Package adds on a 10-speaker Acura/ELS premium sound system with DVD-audio designed by Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner.

Click the jump to view photos of XM NavWeather in the new TSX...

The all-new 2009 Ford Flex, on display this week at the 2008 New York Autoshow, will feature a myriad of class-leading technologies including Sirius Satellite Radio, the latest version of Ford SYNC, voice-activated navigation, an 8-inch touchscreen display and data services through Sirius Travel Link.

The Flex utilizes a contemporary design that the company labels as "polarizing." So polarizing, in fact, that Ford is not predicting sales metrics or defining a profile for the Flex target buyer.

"Flex is a radical departure," said Peter Horbury, Ford's executive director, Design, The Americas. "At first we were uncomfortable with the way Flex could polarize, but its ability to compel an opinion, good or bad, was fascinating. It inspired us forward with courage to create a breakthrough design."

Technological Features:
The 2009 Ford Flex includes the latest version of Ford SYNC (which now has 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Reports), voice activated navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio and Sirius Travel Link.

Sirius Travel Link will provide users with a suite of data services including real-time traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations - all on an 8-inch touchscreen display.

Meanwhile, Sirius Satellite Radio is heard through a 700-watt, 10-speaker Sony audio system with 5.1 surround sound. Ford's voice-activated navigation allows for voice control of the entire system including GPS destination entry, climate controls, Sirius Travel Link, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

The Flex goes on sale this summer and will be on display at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

Follow the jump for additional interior images of the Flex. Orbitcast will be live from NYIAS today, so expect more photos soon...