It's been almost two years since XM unveiled the Pioneer Inno. Since then we've seen little in handheld offerings from XM, although the Delphi SkyFi3 might be considered one (I'd call it more of a "hybrid" handheld/plug-and-play).

Sirius meanwhile had released its own live-handheld last year - the Sirius Stiletto - and soon its second-generation Sirius Stiletto 2 will be joining the fray.

But the question we're all wondering: where's the next generation handheld offering from XM? Where's the next "Inno"?

XM demonstrated to analysts a video-capable handheld prototype in early 2006 (fake photo, real info), and the ONIX400, unveiled at CES this year, is set to hit the streets any-day-now. So we know they've been busy down in Florida. Yet still nothing has been announced.

Handhelds generally don't fly off the shelves when it comes to retail sales. By their own admission, both Sirius and XM have said that the handheld satellite radio market is pretty weak. But they serve a function beyond just appealing to early adopters. They act as "halo" products (e.g., the popularity of the iPod has helped spur sales of Apple computers), and serve as fodder for media coverage. There's value beyond just sales.

So come this CES, will we see a new handheld from XM? I sure hope so...