Earlier this month, the veiled FCC registration by "i-Sirius" caused many an eyebrow to be raised. Speculation had since ensued, with theories of potential products and partnerships (from an iPhone competitor, to a pending deal with Apple) began swimming around.

Luckily though, even though the FCC application asked for confidentiality, one of the test reports (PDF) apparently included a photo of the upcoming device (pictured).

And here's what we know:

• The company is named "i-Sirius Co.,Ltd" and they're located in Seoul, Korea
• The device will be a GSM 850/1900 phone
• It will be branded as the Motorola FX-850P

Nothing in the test reports seem to indicate a satellite radio device. And looking at the photo, it doesn't appear that any audio controls are visible, so I would rule out any relations to Sirius here, other than the name.

[via Satellite Radio TechWorld]

If you're wondering why the stocks went nuts mid-day, that's because several sources have reported that CBS could make a bid for either XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) or Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI).

Call me a Negative Nancy, but I don't buy it. Especially since we've heard this one before.

Hear 2.0 got ahold of an insider who spilled the beans on the initiatives behind a merged XM-Sirius.

I have a few issues with this "mole" and the information being "leaked" - primarily that each bit of info is surrounded by snarky commentary which raises an eyebrow as to any ulterior motives - so go ahead and read the post first and then come back here for my take.

...you back? Sure you are. So let's pick this apart shall we?

First, the whistle-blower says that the "pricing itself will resemble the tiered approach that cable exploits so well ... It's simple - lower subscriber fees will come with less programming choices attached." -- is this a revelation? How else are tiered subscription packages offered?

The entry level tier will consist of a "basic and limited representation of satellite radio programming: news, talk, music, and some public service" with "probably no high profile programming" like MLB, NFL, etc. This premium content will be attached to a... wait for it... a premium tier. Yet another brilliant revelation by this mole.

(Recap: So far we've learned that a basic tier will be offered, with a limited selection of programming. And a premium tier might be offered with premium programming. I hope you're still in your seat at this point.)

In all fairness, it does get somewhat interesting from this point forward:

"What's also been lost is the fact that once an aspect of the service goes to a premium teir, eventually payments to that service provider also rise."

This seems obvious as well, but not something that has been talked about much. Content providers that have a rev-share deal in their contract will see an increase in money owed to them because they're in a "premium" tier. The writer goes on to challenge the notion that subs will pay premium rates for premium content -- which seems contracting to his previous statement. Either way, premium content providers will be asking for more money, regardless of what the NY Post seems to think.

Then the mole goes on to talk about the music channels. "XM has 69 commercial-free channels. Sirius has 69. Does that mean a merged company will have 138 music channels? Of course not. A combined company would need only 70-75 music channels to cover most of the audience's appetites. And even if you plead that a merger should create more choices and end up adding another 25 channels you'd have to tack on a big number to cover the rights fees."

This obviously was my biggest fear regarding the merger. In an attempt to keep those royalty fees in check, those music channels would have to be limited. We all know that DJs don't make that much coin, but those royalty fees will be the focus of the number crunchers.

...and now the clincher. You ready for this?

"Assuming each music channel averages 40kb bandwidth, the approximate net gain from the channel consolidation is 1520kb of bandwidth. Most of that would go toward premium services.

So what's the true killer app for premium services? Video, of course. Once satellite radio starts pumping video into the backseat of OEM vehicles, the real gravy will start to flow. Their automotive partners already know this is the new frontier. Satellite radio will need to come along if they plan to be part of the brave new dashboard because OEM is the future of satellite radio."

This, I have a problem with. First, the thought that bandwidth would suddenly be opened up as a result of this merger is not realistic - at least not for the short term. The 1+1=2 concept doesn't work. And I have a problem in thinking that a mole who is so "informed" would see the bandwidth benefit as such a simplistic equation. Both networks will continue to operate independent to each other for the next decade or so, and while some of the newer satellites have cross-network capabilities, these would initially be done at the chipset level. The legacy receivers would continue to be supported, meaning that XM content would essentially be simulcast to Sirius receivers, and Sirius would simulcast content to XM receivers. Can you say bandwidth hog?

So fine, the Backseat TV receivers would have the cross-network chipsets built-in, allowing for better bandwidth. Great. But I have a problem thinking that Backseat TV is the savior of satellite radio. Is Backseat Video really the roadmap for success that a combined XM-Sirius have in store? Please. I don't think XM-Sirius even have a concrete plan themselves (they still need to get the deal approved, oh and there's that little anti-trust/collusion thing), so how this informant knows the next "killer app" is beyond me. Sounds like another over-zealous fan-boy who's looking to be Internet-famous.

No, I'm calling Bravo Sierra on this "mole" and demand that he be tarred and feathered for "leaking" information that we pretty much already know. Sorry buddy, you've been called.

[Hear 2.0] 

Pioneer has been slowly snuggling up to both XM and Sirius recently. So it doesn't come as not much of a surprise that rumor has it that they're developing their own wearable receiver just for Sirius.

With their latest uber-headunits (like the AVIC-D3), not to mention their dual-service-loving A/V receivers, Pioneer definitely has been playing both sides of the fence. Even the AVIC-Z2 sports both Sirius/XM support.

But unfortunately, there's little additional that this tipster can reveal. All that is known is that Pioneer is working on a device "similar to the Inno" (whatever that means) for Sirius. 

So there you go. Wallow in that speculation for a while. 

Here's a thought:
What if this XM/Sirius deal is actually a part of a much larger buyout scenario? Maybe for either both of the companies, or for the combined entity?

I don't know, just a thought. Let's just call it random speculation for now.

I don't know if I buy this one, but Forbes is reporting that Sirius and XM may both report earnings as early as Monday, according to a UBS report. This would be unprecedented, and most likely will send the merger speculation soaring if it is in fact the case.

Either way, only time will tell. Check out the video here. 

Thanks Steven! 

From the seen-but-not-heard department, apparently there's an internal meme being used by Sirius management in reference to their listeners: SPERM (Self Proclaimed Experts of Radio & Music).

Of course, the source that leaked SPERM (sorry, couldn't resist) is the recently fired Sirius OutQ guru John McMullen, who goes into great detail about what transpired behind the walls of the McGraw Hill Building. McMullen was eventually let go due to "violating the company's code of conduct," which he claims is not true.

A grain of salt is required when taking in this information, because irate former employees generally don't paint the picture to be in favor of the company. But still, there's some real goodies in there like the snubbing of the SBS crew, a poster that offended Joe Clayton, Ben Sparks' shenanigans at Sirius, and much more.

That said, the term SPERM is highly entertaining, and to some it might be slightly offending.

Something tells me that Sirius wouldn't be adopting a Digg for Radio concept anytime soon.

[Sirius Backstage]

TheStreet.com columnist Doug Kass is reporting that he's hearing that a combination of Sirius and XM is "imminent." Of course, further details are lacking. Bummer.

Amazingly, even though this "report" was published at 9am this morning on Street Insight, it didn't seem to do much in terms of moving either stock. Perhaps investors are looking for a bit more than just a hunch nowadays?

Or maybe - among frenzied iPhone service rumors (yes, from the same source) - the proof is in the pudding? Either way, I'm just psyched we can talk about a rumored merger again!

[TheStreet]
Thanks Jonathan!

The boys at Sirius Uplink have learned from a "reliable source" that there's going to be some lineup channels in the works, though admittedly a time-table is apparently lacking.

First up is Reggae Rhythms, which supposedly will be taking the place of the beloved The Who Channel at channel number 98. Then Sirius Disorder will reportedly move into Reggae Rhythms' spot at channel 32.

And then the good news (because I know you're still crying over The Who Channel), a new channel - supposedly a 90s Alt-Rock channel - is rumored to be arriving on channel 24. So turn that frown upside-down Frank, everything's going to be alright.

[Sirius Uplink] 

It's a slow news day which means that another "rumor" needs to hit the streets to justify everyone's salaries. This time around its... a Sirius and Apple partnership. Wow. How original.

Too bad it's just a rumor, and as usual, will continue to be just a rumor.

Yet the good folks over at Briefing.com have managed to create enough buzz on this that it's driven SIRI up a good $0.10 at today's current high. Oh joy.

Let's stop for a second and question... why? Why would Apple, who is enjoying a significant market leadership position, partner with "the competition" and muck with the iPod and iTunes? It ain't happening ...yet.

[Ant & Sons]