In-vehicle telematics systems are expected to be in high demand by consumers within the next few years, according to a study by TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence.

Their survey found that 62% of drivers are likely to purchase a navigation system for their next new vehicle. In addition, 51% of drivers say they're likely to get a safety/security service like OnStar.

About 41% of drivers said they were likely to buy a DVD system for their next new vehicle. This is likely the market to go after for Sirius Backseat TV.

For respondents that were willing to purchase these systems within the next 12-months: 22% said they would get a GPS satellite navigation device, 13% said OnStar, and 12% for Bluetooth.

As for what consumers expected to be standard equipment in new vehicles: 81% said GPS navigation system, and 75% said security services would be included in the next five years.

Telematics is a key area for satellite radio to continue to concentrate on, because unlike Internet/WiMAX, satellite radio already has the connection. The bandwidth required to push XM NavTraffic data, for instance, is equal to that of one audio traffic channel. Who needs "traffic and weather together" from your local terrestrial station when you can just punch it up on your nav system?

I crawled around the XM "Infotainment" vehicle which showcased a lot of XM's latest capabilities, and to my regret I didn't snap off nearly as many shots as I should have. The reason being that I was so into it that my camera was left by my side while I was awed by this technology.

Either way, here's what few shots I have. Though they don't do it any justice.  

First up is XM ParkingLink, which was unveiled at last year's CES, though it appears that the interface has been improved.

Right now it's in beta in select cities, XM is partnered with Standard Parking to integrate the sensors into their parking spaces. With these embedded sensors, you can literally see how many parking spots are available at surround parking lots in your area.

Note the color coding so you can quickly see what lots are full while driving.

Then there's XM's Satellite Video capabilities. I say "capabilities" because the XM infrastructure can currently support video, but they just haven't seen a business model to make it a worthwhile effort yet.

More pics, and a tour of XM Weather Tracking (not the official name), available after the jump...

At CES I had the unique opportunity to not only get a demonstration and detailed tour of the Bushnell ONIX400, but also to hold molest the device in my own grubby hands.

To truly understand and appreciate the technical feat that this device is accomplishing really requires a full rundown of it's abilities from the people who know it best - the engineers. Every millimeter of the Bushnell ONIX400 Weather Tracker has been meticulously designed and thought out. And it uses technology so advanced that... well, that it doesn't exist yet (it'll be available this Summer).

Read more, and view more hands-on pics, after the jump... 

Just a few more details on the Bushnell ONIX 400 portable GPS/XM/XM WX swiss army knife device.

The ONIX 400 will provide current and forecasted weather data, including detailed, real-time weather warnings. It's not just NEXRAD radar overlayed over the map. The ONIX 400 will be the only outdoor device that provides personalized, localized weather content delivery integrated within the GPS map environment.

The handheld features a split screen allowing users to check out what XM content is playing while viewing weather data. The waterproof portable handheld unit is ergonomically designed to fit into the palm of the hand for easy use in any type of weather.

The ONIX 400 has the ability to layer weather information on the screen along with aerial and satellite photos and topography maps for the ultimate in real world navigation.

Other features include enhanced sports scoreboard with user interface, sports statistics and scores; an extra large 3.5" full-color LCD screen (320x240 pixel resolution); an embedded 64Mb MicroSD card for data and map services; and rechargeable Li-Ion battery.

Details on weather-related service pricing will be available at product launch. The ONIX 400 will be available in the summer of 2007.

The new AVIC-D3 is Pioneer's latest phase in the evolution of their popular AVIC in-dash navigation systems.

Key features include: XM NavTraffic integration, voice prompting, telephone number search, and a bunch of entertainment features like support for both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, CD/DVD playback, iPod Direct, iPod video support and expanded Bluetooth capabilities including wireless audio streaming.

The AVIC-D3 fits into a standards double-din dash opening, and rocks a beautiful 6.1 inch display with eight built-in illumination colors, and the option to choose from 32,000 other color variations (allowing the unit to match pretty much any vehicle on the road).

Pioneer's AVIC-D3 provides mapping and routes for the entire United States and Canada, with detailed mapping and detailed lane information in 50 cities. Included in the system are about 12 million points of interest like ATMs, gas stations, hotels and restaurants, which can be overlaid directly onto the map. The system utilizes 59 brand icons for quick identification of familiar POIs.

With the optional traffic tuner, the GEX-P10XMT, and a XM NavTraffic subscription, you can receive real-time alert of current traffic incidents and traffic flow conditions, by overlaying the information onto the map screen with flashing lines and icons, and providing an alternative route around the obstruction.

XM and Sirius Satellite Radio are both available options in the AVIC-D3, and the front-panel mounted mini-jack A/V input allows the addition to other attached components such as camcorders, gaming devices or music players.

The Pioneer AVIC-D3 will MSRP for $1000, and is expected to be available in March.

We spotted the Bushnell ONIX 400 Weather Tracker back in November, but that was just the feature list - we still didn't have the full details on this device that we've been wanting.

Well here it is, and it's pretty damn exciting.

The Bushnell ONIX 400 Weather Tracker is the first portable, handheld device that offers GPS navigation, live XM Radio reception, and the personalized, real-time XM weather system that XM is unveiling at CES. Consider it as a veritable swiss-army knife of satellite devices.

This is revolutionary because instead of getting weather data for your region, the system isolates your location (down to a "cell") and provides the specific weather data surrounding just you. The ONIX 400 Weather Tracker also tracks the specific weather events along your personal route and final destination. So set your destination and this in-depth weather data will be continuously updated and displayed on the GPS map along that path.

While Bushnell is traditionally an "outdoors" focused company, I can see uses for this device for even the most dedicated urbanite. And with an MSRP price of only $499, this 3-in-1 GPS device will be appealing to even the most price conscious consumer.

Check out a ton of photos showing the different screens on the ONIX 400, after the jump...

XM Satellite Radio will unveil next week a new personal weather tracking system for GPS navigation - the first of it's kind - at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next week.

The system tracks real-time weather conditions, plus provides a near-term weather forecast, between your current location and your final destination. Instead of simply giving you general weather conditions for a region, the satellite powered system focuses on the weather on your individual route.

The weather system is expected to be introduced in the summer of this year with XM's weather partner Baron Services.

"XM is offering the first system that alerts consumers to real-time weather threats on the road ahead," said Rod Mackenzie, VP of Advanced Applications at XM. "You're not just getting the temperature and the forecast for a city. You get the weather that will impact your specific journey, and this information is constantly being updated. It's a major breakthrough in providing consumers with comprehensive, personalized weather information."

XM's and Baron's WxWorx devision (pronounced "weather works") offers weather services for airplanes, boats, and emergency responders.