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.