While the rumors are heavy with Sirius courting Apple to make a satellite-slash-iPod music player, looks like XM’s been working on something similar. While not the iPod it is something iPod users have been downloading to their players for over a year now from the iTunes Music Store. In 2006 XM subscribers will be able to listen to eBooks along with Fox News, The Torch, and 80 on 8 on the upcoming XM2Go player. Even Opie and Anthony can’t clown this!

In 2006 Audible and XM will introduce the first portable, handheld satellite radio devices that are capable of playing both the XM service as well as Audible’s spoken-word content, which can be downloaded from the Web into the devices’ memory. With the launch of these “AudibleReady/XM” devices, XM subscribers will be able to expand their listening experience through purchase of audiobooks and other content from Audible. [Full Text]