A brief mention in an article in the Village Voice, mentions that a new show Audiobook Cafe, is set to debut in January on XM Satellite Radio. In the article, Lawrence Block, author of the article and several books, says:

"As the host of Audiobook Cafe, set to debut in January on XM Satellite Radio, I interviewed two authors and reviewed one audiobook for each of the four shows. I talked in-studio with Ron Chernow and SJ Rozan, and on the phone with Joyce Carol Oates, Ann Rule, and Tony Hillerman. I recorded my reviews of books by Ed McBain, Philip Roth, Augusten Burroughs, and Jonathan Lethem."

Now, there's only a quick note about this on Audiobook Cafe's website, but it does seem like Mr. Block gave the slip on this as there hasn't been any official announcement from XM yet. Here's what we can put together about this:

1. We don't know if this will be a whole new channel, or just a radio show (in which case it probably would be on Sonic Theater XM 163).

2. It seems that these won't be abridged audiobooks, and while that's a big assumption that was the overall gist of the Village Voice article. They'll be covering both abridged and unabridged audiobooks on Audiobook Caf? - Thanks Lawrence!

3. With the recording capabilities of the MyFi and the SkiFi2, XM has a great outlet for this time of programming. Lots of people love audiobooks, and with satellite radio they don't need to be at their computer to download the audiobooks like with Audible. The total mobile access to this content would be greatly appreciated by those constantly on-the-go (like Truckers amoungst others).

At the time of writing this entry, neither XM nor Audiobook Cafe has given any comments regarding this. As more info comes in, I'll update it here.

AutoWeek wrote up an article giving an overview on the XM NavTraffic system. Highlighting sytems that support XM NavTraffic like the Pioneer Electronics? AVIC-N2 (currently the only aftermarket option for NavTraffic) which will go on sale in March for $2,550 MSRP and the factory-installed XM NavTraffic system in the Acura RL.

XM is expected to bundle both the XM satellite radio service and XM NavTraffic together for a $13.99-per-month subscription fee.

Engadget reports that is you've got the XM PC Receiver (or XM Direct) and a Pocket PC, you can now use the brand new $45 program XMLobby to control your XM satellite radio via your Pocket PC.

XMLobby Pocket PC is the first application on the market to allow control of your XM Satellite Radio and it's the only one to display the Cover Art of the currently playing song (where available).

I guess they don't have a trial version at this time, but the concept is neat and it's nice to see more of these 3rd party apps starting to pop up.

XM Satellite Radio today announced that it recently surpassed 3.1 million subscribers, the company's year-end goal for 2004.

Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio said,

"We are very pleased to announce that XM recently exceeded the 3.1-million-subscriber mark, which was our goal for the end of year. Holiday shoppers bought XM radios in record numbers, reinforcing XM's significant market leadership position in satellite radio."

The timing of this announcement is definitely interesting considering that there was much speculation in the XM community as to when the 3+ Million announcement would be made. From a PR point of view, it makes sense for XM to hold out for when Sirius makes their 1 Million announcement, lest anyone be confused as to who the market leader is.

This weekend's a bit slow for satellite radio news, so I figured I'll just leave you with the XM Satellite Radio commercial 'Falling Stars' (QuickTime req'd).

It's not necessarily a new commercial but the most entertaining in my opinion.

Found on XM411

Audiovox reported today it agreed to acquire Terk Technologies Corp for $13.6 million plus a debenture based on future revenue targets. Terk provides satellite radio receivers and digital antenna products (such as the XM Commander and XM Direct) and has agreements with XM Satellite to provide aftermarket car stereo systems.

The deal, which still requires a definitive agreement and completed due diligence, is expected to closed by Dec. 31 or soon thereafter.

XM Satellite Radio has named Bill Bailey, former Commerce Committee Senior Counsel to Senator John McCain, as their Senior VP of Regulatory and Government Affairs.

Bailey had served as the Commerce Committee's lead Republican staff member on all communications issues. He had also been a senior advisor at the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He began his government career in 1996 at the Common Carrier Bureau of the FCC.

"As a company like XM grows, the number and complexity of issues that it deals with grows too," XM president/CEO Hugh Panero says. "We cannot think of a better steward for XM's government relations efforts than Bill Bailey, a man who has served President Bush, Senator McCain, and commissioners of the FCC with intelligence and distinction. Bill's acute political acumen will ensure that XM is well represented before the Administation, in the halls of Congress, and at the FCC."

XM Satellite Radio today announced that Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc., operator of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, which together comprise one of the world's largest car rental companies, is now offering thousands of vehicles equipped with XM Radio nationwide.

National and Alamo customers can receive XM Radio for no additional charge on all 2005 model Chevrolet Cobalts, Pontiac G6s, and Buick LaCrosses in the two brands' fleets. The two rental brands also are offering XM for no extra charge on select 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlos, Chevrolet Impalas and Pontiac Bonnevilles.

GM announced today that it recently signed up its one millionth XM Satellite Radio subscriber.

The first XM-equipped vehicles, Cadillac DeVilles and Sevilles, were produced in November 2001 and the one millionth XM-equipped GM vehicle rolled off the line in February 2004. Today, one out of three GM vehicles purchased are equipped with factory-installed XM Satellite Radio.

"GM's strong, long-term commitment to XM is one of the reasons why we are the no. 1 satellite radio company," says XM President and CEO Hugh Panero. "We're extremely pleased that GM customers have embraced XM and we're proud to join our friends at GM in celebrating this latest milestone of our partnership."

"More than 75 percent of current GM customers with XM-equipped vehicles tell us they would only consider or prefer to buy a vehicle with XM and 90 percent say they will recommend it to friends and family," says John F. Smith, GM group vice president of North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "GM was the first OEM to offer factory-installed satellite radio and we offer more than 50 car and truck models in 2005 available with XM Satellite Radio," says Smith.

XM Satellite Radio today announced that XM has been added to the NASDAQ-100 Index, effective on Monday, December 20, 2004.

The NASDAQ-100 Index is composed of the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization. Shares of XM also will be included in The NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock.

Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio said,

"This is a significant milestone for our company and a testament to the extraordinary work of our people who have made XM the market leader in satellite radio."

NOTE: Sirius apparently made the NASDAQ-100 too, but no official announcement yet.