A reader has pointed out to me something verrrry interesting - the XM SkyPod trademark application has been abandoned by XM Satellite Radio (see link to USPTO) as of 2 days ago.

It's way to early to speculate whether this means that any discussions with Apple, Creative, Sony or whoever have been squashed - but it's a definite indicator that something is up. Perhaps the lawyers felt it was just too close to the iPod brand? Maybe. I hope we'll find out more at the conference call in a few minutes.

Either way, it does mean that the NAME is killed. Buh-bye SkyPod.

Yep, another "i" product, from Polk Audio the new Polk I-Sonic entertainment system has just been unveiled. A pretty cool concept, the I-Sonic is a compact stereo audio system that combines AM/FM, Digital HD Radio, and XM Satellite Radio capability with a DVD/CD player.

Meant to be an all-in-one system, Polk's new 4-speaker "I-Sonic" and "Power Port" technologies produce sound quality supposedly so big and lifelike that the I-Sonic is capable of being the primary home entertainment system for many.

Measuring only 14.5" x 9.75" x 4.75", the XM-Ready Polk unit fits nicely on a kitchen countertop, nightstand, in a TV stand or on the coffee table in a living room. This I-Sonic is satellite radio enabled with XM's Connect-and-Play technology - get a $50 XM antenna and you're good to go.

But there's more goodies than just audio. Because the Polk Audio I-Sonic entertainment system is also the first product of its type to incorporate a DVD player. When connected to a TV or monitor, it is a complete, high performance audio/video entertainment system. The single disc DVD player plays DVD video discs, CDs, Picture CD, Video CD, MP3 CD and many other formats. S-Video and composite video outputs to are provided to hookup to video displays.

The I-Sonic will be available in September 2005 for $599.
Click for a hi-res shot.

So XM now has a page up on their website stating that the XM Connect-and-Play technology will be released on April 8th (very close to my April 11th guestimate).

Not much other information yet, so I guess they'll leave us scratching our heads, but there's a bunch of nice product shots and a coolio logo for all to see, plus general info on the XM Connect-and-Play technology.

Hot stuff, can't wait.

(BTW - yes, I'm doing a whole lot of catch-up right now. The past couple days have been fucking crazy. Can't talk about it right now, but it'll all be revealed sometime in the near future.)

A loyal reader points out that the XM2go MyFi unit has had a price cut to $299.99 MSRP (down $50). There's obviously other places that will get you the MyFi even cheaper, but this is an interesting development. Wonder if the Pioneer AirWare will follow suit?

Looks like XM wants to maintain the sales momentum driven by the MyFi to continue the explosive growth in customers they're seeing.

(And no, before you ask, this isn't an April Fools joke. I can't wait for this fucking day to end and refuse to participate in all the damn mayhem.)