Rumor has it that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., is about to take a major stake (+25%) in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., and has received government approval for it.

Below is the government form that terminates some type of limitation that has previously existed.

That's all the details known as this time. More to follow. At this time this should be taken as a strong rumor only but the early termination definitely indicates something is happening.

[FTC Early Terminations, 08-15-06] (PDF) 

 

This article seems to speak very definitively that Microsoft and XM Satellite Radio are working together on the anticipated Zune player.

 

In differentiating Zune from the iPod, here's what Associated Content had to say:

XM Radio: The WiFi antenna also will help Microsoft to support XM radio on the Zune, something they've been looking into.  If Zune is to kill the iPod, they need something big that the iPod doesn't have; this may or may not be it, but they'll need all the firepower they can get. With the iPod lacking even an FM radio, this could be a big advantage.

Interesting.

Thanks StackPointer! 

UPDATE: As Gizmodo points out, since this would be streaming the XM feed over WiFi, it would be a dedicated application and not a WiFi-based browser (which would essentially allow for streaming of... pretty much anything). I would if this would also include XM+Napster functionality, allowing you to purchase songs you hear over the XM stream?

With Danica Patrick's move to Andretti Green Racing, there's been some additional rumors swirling about this driver who's brought a newfound interest to the IRL.

According to Automotive News, signs point to her driving Bryan Herta’s No. 7 car - which just happens to the XM Satellite Radio car - and Patrick is rumored to be getting XM Satellite Radio for her car. Herta, a four-time race winner (two in CART, two in the IRL,) has asked to drive the new Andretti Green Racing Acura in the American Le Mans Series, and there is reason to believe he will get the job. Herta is, after all, one of Andretti’s best friends and one of America’s top road racers.

In addition, Automotive News reports that Danica Patrick might be getting her own show on XM Satellite Radio:
"Think of that: All Danica, all the time."

With NASCAR making the jump from XM to SIRIUS in 2007, I can see XM looking to bring some fresh - and famous - blood into their IRL offering. It's in their best interest to help fuel the attention that Danica herself has helped create for the sport.

[Automotive News]
Thanks cb!