ICO, who recently partnered with Delphi, has reached an agreement with Discovery Communications to provide live mobile video content for the alpha trials of its ICO mim service.
 
The channels available for the ICO mim trials include Discovery Channel, TLC and Discovery Kids.

Powered by the ICO G1 satellite, ICO mim's trials will be starting in late summer in Raleigh-Durham, NC and Las Vegas. The ICO G1 is the largest commercial satellite launched to date, weighing nearly 15,000-lbs at liftoff, and measuring more than 27-ft high and over 100-ft wide with the solar array deployed.

ICO previously announced an agreement with NBC Universal to also provide content for its alpha trials. The question is, who's next?

ICO Global Communications has entered into a partnership with Delphi to develop DVB-SH devices for its "ICO mim" service.

Under the agreement, ICO gets exclusive rights to all DVB-SH devices developed by Delphi for use in the mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum band in North America over the next 3-years.

Delphi will design ICO's first aftermarket devices and units in are expected in December 2008. The alpha trials for the ICO mim service will start later this year in Raleigh-Durham, NC and Las Vegas, NV. 

The partnership with Delphi will also serve as a shoe-in for OEMs as the company will co-market ICO's interactive mobile video, navigation and emergency communications services to automakers.

"ICO is poised to deliver a unique interactive suite of mobile services for American consumers, and Delphi's extensive experience in mobile electronics makes them an ideal partner as we implement ICO's go-to-market strategy," said Craig Jorgens, president of ICO.

(Pictured is an alpha device used to demo ICO mim at CES 2008, it is not a Delphi device.)

Sirius and XM introduced their real-time traffic services in 2004, but even though they were fairly early to the game, they're definitely not the only ones focusing on the space.

Last week a group of broadcast corporations - comprised of Cox Radio, Entercom, Bonneville, Emmis, Beasley, Greater Media, Radio One, and NPR - formed a joint venture called the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium. The goal? To help monetize the HD Radio spectrum (which is in dire need of monetization). And they're working with NAVTEQ to make it happen.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Microsoft Research laboratories spent the last five years developing a complex software model to avoid traffic jams, called Clearflow.

Clearflow will be freely available as part of Live Maps, with support for 72 cities. It doesn't just reroute you around traffic jams, because in some cases rerouting off the highway can send you into even more congested areas. Instead, Clearflow will figure out whether its worthwhile to stick it out on the freeway, rather than taking a detour.

Of course Clearflow was created to help Live.com compete with Google, but how long before Microsoft applies the Clearflow technology to MSN Direct?

MSN Direct has snuggled up with Garmin over the years, and the folks at Redmond have even partnered with Clear Channel to deliver MSN Direct HD over - you guessed it - the HD Radio spectrum (note that Clear Channel isn't part of the consortium).

And then there's the ICO mim service - which yesterday enjoyed a successful launch of their ICO G1 satellite - that will be going online in the near future with a trial service. Their setup will be similar to Sirius and XM, using a hybrid satellite and terrestrial network (as opposed to HD Radio's pure terrestrial setup). ICO is still in its infancy when compared to these other technologies, but shouldn't be discounted either.

The bottom line is that the current solution for avoiding traffic congestion (i.e., listening to your local radio station) is a subpar one to say the least. By the time an accident is mentioned on the radio, it's usually too late. And the daily commuter will be more than happy to plunk down a few bucks a month when they're stuck in a mile-long jam.

Don't get me wrong, Sirius/XM were pretty darn smart in seeing this need and getting a shoe-in with automakers nearly 4 years ago. But this is still extremely new technology as far as the consumer goes. And as a need arises, there will be plenty of companies willing to profit from fulfilling it.

XM NavTraffic is continuing to grow in vehicle penetration. Today at the 2008 Dallas Auto Show, General Motors revealed that it is adding the satellite-driven data service to many of its vehicles.

GM will add XM NavTraffic across its lineup to provide real-time traffic data to 22 navigation-equipped vehicles in the 2009 model year.

Among the vehicles to offer XM NavTraffic will be some of GM's most popular models, including the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, Buick Enclave, Saturn Vue and Hummer H2.

All GM models equipped with XM Radio and XM NavTraffic come standard with a 3-month free trial subscription. Click the jump to see close-up photos of the interface...

Last week's decision by the Department of Justice may have a domino effect for other major satellite players in the coming year, says GigaOM.

They point to satellite operators including Iridium, Globalstar, ICO Global Communications, TerreStar Corp. and Mobile Satellite Venture which are all trying to operate or build out networks. But with a shortage of spectrum for some, these may choose to follow Sirius-XM's lead, and join forces.

Given the spectrum owned and the types of satellites launched, Tim Farrar of TMF Associates feels that the likeliest deals would be between ICO and TerreStar; Inmarsat and MSV; and Globalstar and Iridium.

Does the Sirius-XM deal set off an opportunity for other satellite mergers in 2008? I'm less inclined to think so.

Simply by observing the length of time it took the DOJ analyze the situation, combined with the upcoming possible political shift in power, and you'll realize that Sirius-XM came in just under the wire with this decision. If a less M&A-friendly Democratic administration is elected to office, these types conditionless satellite mergers would likely be put on hold for the near future.

[GigaOM]

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...

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...