Panasonic, will offer thirteen models of XM-Ready car stereo head units in 2005.

These car stereo units are the first Panasonic models to offer XM Satellite Radio capability and the first to interface with the XM Direct universal tuner box without the need of smart cables.

For 2005, all Panasonic mobile in-dash CD models with a $149 MSRP and higher and the new in-dash monitor with DVD player, model CQ-VD7001U, and the new DVD receiver, model CQ-D5501U will be XM-Ready. The Panasonic models compatible with XM will be branded with the XM logo. Panasonic plans to deliver XM satellite-capable radios beginning in January 2005.

(These CES announcements are rough!)

The XM Connect-and-Play antenna is similar in size and form factor to the current XM home antenna currently shipping with all of XM's "plug and play" and XM2go products. The antenna plugs directly into an XM-Ready product (explained below), such as a home stereo receiver, for listening to XM Satellite Radio, with no other accessories needed.

Utilizing XM's industry-leading chipset technology as well as a new proprietary chip and signaling protocol, the XM Connect-and-Play antenna is capable of receiving XM's satellite and terrestrial signals as well as channel tuning, decoding and audio transmission. It will be the only accessory needed to get XM through an XM-Ready audio system.

XM plans to launch the XM Connect-and-Play antenna in March 2005.

The centerpieces of the XM Connect-and-Play technology are XM's "Connect-and-Play" chip and data-port, a low-cost, mini-serial bus connector (Mitsumi part CAM-C16). For a low cost, manufacturers of popular consumer electronics products, such as stereo and home theater receivers, DVD players, table top radios and portable media players, can now add the XM "Connect-and-Play" chip and data-port, making their device instantly "XM-Ready."

Through this new technology consumers simply plug an XM Connect-and-Play home antenna (MSRP: $49.99) into an XM-Ready audio product and activate the service to receive XM's 130-plus digital radio channels. No additional accessories or installation are required.

The first compatible XM-Ready products are planned to be available at retail March 2005 as well. Additional XM-Ready products will be introduced throughout the year.

Delphi announced today that it is expanding its satellite radio product line-up with the introduction of the Delphi XM Signal Repeater the first system that wirelessly rebroadcasts the XM satellite signal throughout most homes and smaller offices.

The repeater system includes both a transmitter and receive module. The transmitter down-converts the XM signal through the XM home or audio system antenna and rebroadcasts it through interior walls and floors at an expected distance between 75 and 100 feet.

While in range, one or more receive modules can acquire and up-convert the signal back to the natural XM frequency (passing it through just like a regular XM antenna). The end result is continued XM programming wirelessly throughout an indoor environment.

Great idea, it's about time.

UPDATE: XM411 got some great pictures of this device.