The boys are making the rounds this week, this time at the Friedman Billings Ramsey Growth Conference tomorrow.

David Frear, SIRIUS' EVP/CFO, will present at 8:15am ET - listen to the webcast of that presentation here. XM is scheduled to present at 9:00am ET (though no word on a webcast as of yet).

Gary Parsons, XM Satellite Radio's Chairman of the Board, is scheduled to make a company presentation and participate in a question and answer session at the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Strategic Decisions Conference in New York, today at 4:00pm ET.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available here.

In a SEC filing yesterday, XM has officially confirmed that certain satellite radio receivers shipments have been suspended as part of an investigations to maintain FCC compliance.

In the filing, XM stated:

 As previously disclosed, on April 25, 2006, we received a letter from the Federal Communications Commission stating that its Office of Engineering and Technology Laboratory had tested the Delphi XM SKYFi2 radio and determined that its FM modulator wireless transmitter is not in compliance with permissible emission limits. We are also aware that Audiovox, manufacturer of the Audiovox Xpress, a radio designed to work with the XM system, received a similar letter from the FCC, and has suspended shipments of that product at the present time. We have been conducting a review of the SKYFi2, Xpress and other devices compatible with the XM system that use a wireless FM modulator to transmit XM programming from an XM radio to an FM radio. We have provided information to the FCC regarding the SKYFi2 radio in accordance with the FCC letter.

Further, we are implementing a series of actions involving various radios to bring them into compliance, including requesting our manufacturers to suspend shipments to retail of radios or accessories that may require changes to operating or installation instructions, or modifications to software or hardware, such as small attachments that reduce emissions through the antenna or cigarette lighter adapter. We will seek new equipment authorizations where appropriate, and expect to provide additional information to the FCC shortly, including test results for several XM radios, as modified, showing compliance with the in-vehicle testing criteria.

In this connection, the FCC recently (April and May) released clarifications of its procedure for in-vehicle testing in a selection of representative vehicles and our test data are being prepared based upon these procedures. We are working to limit the interruption in supply of certain models of XM radios to retailers, and we plan to have modified devices shipping to retailers in the near term. No health or safety issues are involved with these wireless XM radios, and this matter does not pertain to any XM radios which are factory installed in new vehicles. We can provide no assurances at this time that our actions will be deemed sufficient by the FCC, or that other remedies that may be required by the FCC will not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

According to Radio Ink, XM spokesman Chance Patterson told the AP that other receivers that may face shipment suspensions include the Roady XT and the XM Sportscaster. 

[SEC Filing] 

This according to Forbes after BofA Analyst Jonathan Jacoby wrote in today's research note:

"The FCC issue could be more pervasive than previously believed. We believe that XM and Sirius could temporarily suspend retail shipments of certain radios, but the fix would be relatively quick and inexpensive and likely would not lead to stock-outs at retail."

According to Jacoby, the simple addition of a 25-cent part could put the receivers back into FCC compliance and a new product could begin shipping again within 30 to 60 days. "If that is the case, we believe the retail channel would remain sufficiently stocked to maintain a normal level of unit sales -- and sub numbers would not be impacted," he said.
 

[Forbes] 

Today I had the benefit of playing with the Samsung NeXus hands-on, courtesy of JJI Electronics, and my overall impression is that this is a great alternative for those who don't want to plunk down the cheddar for the Pioneer Inno or Samsung Helix. The NeXus is also a bit of a breakout concept from the other 'regular' satellite radio receivers, in that it's sole purpose is to replay recorded (and personal) content. This concept isn't what us regular satellite radio listeners are used to, but this device isn't exactly targeted to us - it's meant for the casual MP3 listener (I'll explain more later).

Now unlike the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix, the Samsung NeXus does not have live on-the-go reception of satellite radio signal. Instead, it depends on being plugged into the Home Dock (or the optional Car Kit) in order to receive a live XM signal. What the NeXus lacks in on-the-capabilities, it makes up for in size and price. The MSRP is almost half the price of the Inno and Helix (the NeXus 25 MSRPs for $219.99 and the NeXus 50 MSRPs at $269.99).

The NeXus measures in at a meager 85.6mm high x 47.2mm wide. When compared to the Inno/Helix, that's 8.5mm less in height, and 8.8mm less in width. To the Sirius S50, it's 13.46mm shorter and 1.06mm slimmer. And with the inevitable comparison to the iPod nano, the NeXus is still 3.3mm shorter, while being 6.56mm wider - not too shabby.

The Samsung NeXus comes with a home docking station with antenna, earbuds, the incredible XM Passport, various cables, a carrying case, and the XM + Napster software to interface with your PC. Read more and check out a whole boatload of photos after the jump...

Earlier today word came in that XM has stopped selling certain radio from their kiosks and from their online store. As further investigation showed that only satellite radio receivers with an FM-Modulator were the units being pulled. On XM's Online Store, most units were listed as "Out of Stock" with the exception of the Pioneer Inno.

Then Ryan from XM Fan made the said the following:

"official word from XM is they voluntarily stopped selling the radios with the wireless FM mod at their kiosks and online store until the FCC gives them a decision. This info is from a director of retail marketing at XM.

This is their company decision regarding their own stores, and does not affect radio sales at any other stores."

No doubt this is relating to FCC probes into the FM transmitter emission levels, which even went to far as to cause Audiovox to halt shipments of the Audiovox Xpress plug-and-play receiver.

(Note: at the time of writing this, the XM Online Store appears to be down for "site maintenance" - no word as to whether this is related.)

Thanks Bud and candlebougie!

UPDATE: The reason why the Inno was not pulled is because it has the benefit of allowing firmware updates. Apparently all the latest Inno / Helix receivers are shipping with (if I remember correctly) the v1.10 firmware which disables the FM Modulator when not plugged into the car kit. I believe - and please, correct me if I'm wrong - that v1.09 still as the FM Modulator activated when on-the-go. I can only assume that this is a proactive reaction to the FCC probes.

XM posted the presentation for the Annual Shareholders Meeting today. Some interesting points that we haven't seen in previous presentations. I grabbed a few snippets of interest that you can view after the jump...

John Gehron, the former Regional VP at Clear Channel and Senior VP Programming / Co-Chief Operating Officer at Infinity/CBS Radio, is supposedly "is in serious talks with Winfrey's Harpo Productions about heading the company's new radio unit," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Oprah Winfrey is ramping up her radio division, Harpo Radio Inc., which was formed in conjuction with signing with XM - as she ready's the September launch of the Oprah & Friends channel on XM Satellite Radio. And as part of the launch she quite possible could have tapped John Gehron to head up Harpo Radio, with a deal between the two being finalized within a the next week or two according to sources.

[Chicago Sun-Times]

In the world of tech punditry, Walt Mossberg is the admittedly the original "uber-pundit" but David Pogue of the New York Times is also one of the most respected in the business. Both write from the layman's standpoint, while really being true geeks at heart, and still manage to maintain complimentary points of view on new products.

Take Pogue's review on the Samsung Helix - as we all know, the sister to the Pioneer Inno. In general he liked the device, with his only gripe being that you can't pause live broadcasts. Admittedly, this is a lacking feature in the new generation of XM2go. But in general, David Pogue liked the device - even if the RIAA doesn't. Pogue even went so far as to almost counterpoint Mossberg's gripe about reception (which plagues satellite radio in general):

Now, before you get all fired up, remember that any satellite receiver requires a clear view of the sky; unless you snake the external antenna over to a window, listening to live radio indoors or on the subway is essentially out of the question. (Those are excellent times to play back some of your recordings.)

He doesn't though pull any punches:

The Helix's stubby little antenna, however, is an especially dainty flower when it comes to sensitivity. Even covering it with your hand, slipping the device into your pocket, or facing the wrong way can be enough to introduce hissy static into the signal.

Still, even without being a bubbly fanboy, David Pogue's review seems a bit more fair than the Mossberg review. And in these recent days of doom and gloom for XM, a positive review of their flagship product seems welcome.

[New York Times] 

XM Satellite Radio has reported a change to its subscriber and financial guidance for 2006, projecting that it will end 2006 with 8.5 million subscribers (down from earlier guidance of 9 million), resulting in subscriber revenues of $835 million and an EBITDA loss of $235 million.

XM reaffirmed that it remains on track to have positive cash flow from operations for the fourth quarter of 2006 and on an annual basis for 2007.

Hugh Panero cited "overall softness in retail during the second quarter" as one of the key reasons of this. Perhaps the line of most concern from the press release is this one:

XM is currently working through regulatory and legal challenges, the resolution of which could affect future product availability and operating results, and require us to review this revised guidance. 

Let's hope this is only referring to the Audiovox Xpress. 

This is going to make Gary Parson's session today at the Morgan Stanley Media Conference a little hot under the collar. Unfortunately, neither stock needs any more bad news at this point.

[Press Release]