With the original tampon antenna that came with the MyFi, listeners had high hopes of improving receptions in areas where the internal MyFi antenna simply didn’t do the trick. Unfortunatly, it pretty much did nothing. In fact, it did so little to improve reception that the additional XM2go units (the Airware and Tao) didn’t even include it.

Enter the ClipXT. The 2nd generation personal antenna that packs a serious reception punch. The ClipXT still looks like a tampon, but don’t be fooled, it doesn’t act like one.

XMFan has a great review on it, showing exactly how much it boosts your signal. If you’re an XM2go owners, the ClipXT is pretty much a no-brainer purchase.

Thanks OneWithDog!

UPDATE: Thanks to all who pointed out that MyRadioStore has the ClipXT for only $15!

Legendary Duke Head Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski will host ?Basketball and Beyond with Coach K,? on XM Satellite Radio.

?Basketball and Beyond with Coach K? will offer a mix of topical issues, such as the state of college basketball; interviews with special guests, and Krzyzewski?s personal perspective for life on and off the court.

Coach K and his co-host, sportscaster Dave Sims, will launch the XM Radio program on October 12th. The hour-long program will air Wednesdays at 4:00 pm ET on XM?s college sports channels 191 through 199, with encore broadcasts on various channels during the week.

Eric Logan, EVP of Programming at XM was quoted as saying, ?College basketball will be an integral part of Coach K?s show…” — thanks Eric! :)

Wow. This is big news. XM Satellite Radio and DIRECTV have partnered together to deliver XM content to DirecTV’s 14.6 million customers starting on November 15th.

72 channels of XM’s programming will be available via DIRECTV, almost doubling the current audio programming lineup at no additional cost. In addition to music channels and children’s programming, XM will provide XM’s Major League Baseball “Home Plate” talk radio channel, and the High Voltage channel (AFRO!).

Customers subscribing to the DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE programming package will have access to 50 XM Satellite Radio music channels and customers subscribing to the DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE Plus programming package and above will have access to more than 65 channels. DIRECTV PARA TODOS customers will also have access to the same XM channels, as well as five additional Latin music channels.

XM has redesigned their website to give it a newer look. They still retain the brand identity, which has been consistant throughout the entire life of the site. The main change is the addition of the Flash-based “billboard” on the homepage. Very nice - I like it!

XM Satellite Radio has registered a new trademark - HELIX.

Word Mark HELIX
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: satellite radio hardware, receivers and related accessories
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 78716222
Filing Date September 20, 2005
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) XM Satellite Radio Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 1500 Eckington Place, NE Washington D.C. 20002
Attorney of Record Cynthia Greer
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

So, since the description leaves a little room for speculation, let the speculation begin!

A Helix can be many things, but when referred to as the shape of a Helix, essentially a spiral, can commonly be referred to as an antenna configuration. So maybe this is a new antenna. That's the first thing that comes to mind.

A double helix is two spirals wrapped around each other (like DNA). So we could look at it like two things combined - sort of like the neXus was the "connection" or "link" of things (MP3 + Satellite Radio). But that's a very loose definition, so unlikely..

A helix is also referred to as the outer part of the outer ear (that folded cartilage area). But, from a marketing standpoint, that's sort of gross.

So that brings me back to the Helix shape. A spiral. Something to do with an antenna. That's my best guess - what's yours?

UPDATE: Our questions have been answered and it looks like the first guess was the right one - MP3 + Satellite Radio - and so the Samsung Helix XM2go has been unveiled!

Multi-platinum-selling artist Ludacris will host a weekly music show exclusively for XM Satellite Radio called “Disturbing Tha Peace Presents Ludacris’ Open Mic.” The show will feature music hand-selected by the Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, including songs from his own personal music collection, as well as special guests and interviews with other artists.

“Disturbing Tha Peace Presents Ludacris’ Open Mic” will debut in January 2006 on XM’s uncut hip-hop channel RAW (XM channel 66).

XM Satellite Radio today announced that it “recently” surpassed 5 million subscribers.

Speculation Alert: I have a funny feeling that the subscriber numbers were hit a while ago, but amidst the growing speculation from analysts (i.e., reporters who are just paid more), XM felt compelled to release today. See, oddly enough the press release on this is quite short. Considering how in-depth the 4.4 Million press release was, I’d be willing to say that XM made a snap decision to make this announcement so as not to create doubt that XM is holding something back.

According to this article in Automotive News (subscription required), Honda is making XM Satellite Radio available on four new models.

The 2006 Element SUV will have XM as standard equipment (nice!). The 2006 Honda Civic (which is a huge seller - 203,673 units in August alone), as well as the CR-V and Pilot SUVs will be “factory wired” for quicker satellite radio installation at auto dealerships.

I looked everywhere to find a non-subscription-required link, but to no avail. If anyone can find a better link with this info, please let me know.

Billboard Radio Monitor has a great interview with Eric Logan (E-LO!), EVP of Programming at XM Satellite Radio. One of the most interesting questions was about the decision to drop MTV/VH1 from the lineup, and Eric’s response really gives some insight about where satellite radio in general will be a few years from now:

“[Channels like] 20 on 20, Highway 16, the City, Sweet 62, Watercolors and our decades channels, because of the sheer size of our audience base, are some of the most powerful and biggest radio outlets in the U.S. today. Our content strategy is to really create our own brands … which is why the decision was not to renew with MTV or VH1. “

XM’s Bob Edwards, who left NPR last year, apparently will be back on the public radio airwaves again. Public Radio International (PRI) will be distributing “Bob Edwards Weekend,” a selection of greatest hits from Edwards’ show on XM Satellite Radio.

His show will be offered to public radio stations around the country - no word as to whether Sirius’ PRI will be picking him up too. That would make things interesting. :)