The Orbitcast Smack Show is about to kick off (it starts at 3pm ET) and it looks like the Stiletto will be the first item up for grabs. If you haven't registered yet then you're missing out. (And once again, no, I don't make any money off anything you buy at this Smack event.)

Even if you don't plan on buying anything, come on down and join the chat. I'm there right now answering everyone's questions. Happy smackin'!

UPDATE: Wow, what an incredible turnout. Thanks all for showing up, and congrats to those who saw some incredible savings. Just to give you an idea of how much was actually saved from this event: a Stiletto went for 36.8% off, an Inno for 43.9% off, a Delphi XM repeater went for 48.8% off, a Sirius Conductor for a whopping 64.3% and an XM Mini-Tuner for an amazing 86.4% off!

Thanks again to all who participated! 

RSS subscribers might have missed this one yesterday...

Regardless of whether you are for, or against, the XM/Sirius Merger (and it's obvious that a majority of you are for it), I'd like to get a sense as to how many of you feel whether or not the deal will actually make it through the regulatory gauntlet.

Why is this important? Because readers of this site are likely far more knowledgeable in the satellite radio landscape than most other websites. So go ahead and cast your vote.

Let's get everyone initial gut reactions about the Sirius and XM Merger... voice in the poll below and then drop a comment stating why you voted that way:

Last week I had the thought that there should be a Jellyfish Smack event for satellite radio, and now I'm proud to announce that Orbitcast and Jellyfish have teamed up to do exactly that.

On February 27th at 3pm ET, an Orbitcast Smack Shopping Event kicks off, making many of the latest satellite radios available to readers at ridiculously discounted prices.

So you're wondering what the hell a Smack event is? Think of it like Woot! on steroids, but instead of one product in one day - it's several products in an even shorter amount of time. My wife is totally addicted to this thing because it's more of a game than just "shopping online" and you can find some incredible deals while you're at it (I missed out on a Slingbox Pro at almost 30% off today).

Here's how it works. In the beginning of each event, the cash back amount increases every second until a hidden quantity of items is sold out (or until the cash back amount reaches 100% - at which point, it's free). The deal gets better every second that goes by, but if you wait too long the product is gone forever and the deal is over. (Think of it like "Deal or No Deal" for shopping.)

Another cool thing about the Smack events is that there's a chat going on at the same time, plus games and other contests that keep it fun, even if you don't buy anything.

So anyway, enough reading... go check out jellyfish.com/smack/orbitcast and get ready for the event on February 27th. I've hand picked all the satrad products myself, so you know there'll be something there that you'll like. Plus, you never know what other surprises we might have in store for you.

(And no, I don't make any money off the Smack events.) 

I sure do love a good fakery. Just under a year ago Orbitcast was anonymously handed a "photo" of XM's upcoming portable satellite video player, which I'm convinced was the work of a handy Photochopper. (Though, I must note, there was a working prototype out there... just not the one pictured.)

Today, it goes a step further. Now we've got video of the... video player. The verdict? You tell me:

(Pssst... to the guy with the video editing skillz: You may want to consider a white background next time. Just a thought.)
UPDATE: The video was pulled and replaced, now with the artifacts around the video player removed. Phew! Now we can all believe that it's real.

Nothing makes that special someone get all hot and bothered more than a dancing Lovebear (grrr).  Those 3D robotic kind are just so passe though, that's why XM has put together this customizable XM Lovebear (grrr) ecard. 

Pick and customize your own very special dancing bear (grrr), pick the music you want it to rock out to, and even put together your own personalized message (and don't worry, if you can't think of anything you can just select one of their many choices).

I personally like the Disco Fever bear (grrr).

It's all part of XM's Valentine's Day promo - oh, but who cares about that - it's all about the bear!

[Grrrr] 

Remember that "XM Fan Enhancement Program" I told you about yesterday? Well, here's Marie Atkinson, who heads up that at the FBR Open and at other PGA Tour events.

Tell her Ryan sent you!

(...and don't forget to go check out the golf.) 

I'm curious about what service you're all listening to. So feel free to participate in the poll below, and then leave a comment making fun of everyone who didn't vote like you did.