WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM will debut XM NavWeather featuring exclusive Threat Matrix technology, the first real-time, personalized weather tracking service for GPS navigation, at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), January 13-17, in Detroit. XM will also demonstrate in its infotainment vehicle a next-generation, rich, full-feature color touch-screen display, an electronic programming guide, stocks and sports tickers, dynamic information technology and more.
XM NavWeather enables drivers for the first time to view live, personalized weather forecasts and conditions on top of their existing navigation display. The exclusive "Threat Matrix" technology provides immediate alerts on developing weather conditions, such as hail, tornado and storm warnings, mapped to the driver's specific location and driving route. Drivers will have the option to view current and developing road weather conditions and multi-day forecasts for cities across the country, and also view weather maps to monitor conditions anywhere in the United States. The breakthrough new service complements the award-winning XM NavTraffic real-time traffic data service.
XM NavWeather was developed with Baron Services, utilizing Baron's exclusive Threat Matrix technology. Baron Services is XM's weather partner for the award-winning XM WX Satellite Weather service that provides "professional grade" real-time weather information direct to aircraft cockpits and marine navionics instruments. XM NavWeather builds upon this success, providing a clear "consumer friendly" interpretation of weather data.
XM plans to announce the first auto partners to offer XM NavWeather in early 2008, and the service will be available for the portable Bushnell ONIX 400 within 30 days.
"XM is debuting the first service that alerts consumers to real-time weather threats on the road ahead, a major breakthrough in providing consumers with comprehensive, personalized weather information," said Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM Satellite Radio. "XM is also sending live data, including traffic, sports, stocks, and other dynamic information, directly to the vehicle accounting for the rapid adoption of the XM platform by OEM partners. Drivers will soon find these services are impossible to live without."
The XM infotainment vehicle at the NAIAS in Detroit will also show existing features and exploratory concepts including:
-- Innovative User Interface - XM fans will be able to fully immerse themselves in the XM experience through a brand-new touch-screen interface. A bold, full-color display including album art, channel and sports team logos and a multi-function display for viewing multiple XM channels at once, will make the XM infotainment experience richer and easier than ever before. -- Electronic Programming Guide - A real-time, interactive programming guide notifying the driver and passengers of upcoming special programs on XM's more than 170 channels. The driver can request a reminder for a program of interest and later be alerted if they are in the vehicle the next time the shows they selected are broadcast. -- Pause/Replay - The ability to pause and replay multiple channels of XM programming, simultaneously, ensuring you never miss a music beat, sports play or news item. -- XM NavTraffic - The nation's leading satellite-delivered traffic information service, informs drivers of current traffic conditions, such as travel speeds on major roads, accident locations, and road closures, updated in real-time on the navigation screen. The service is available now for 80 markets in vehicles from Acura, Cadillac, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan and Infiniti, as well as various retail aftermarket GPS navigation products. -- XM Sports and XM Stocks - Streams your team's game times and scores and/or your updates to your stock portfolio directly to your vehicle as updates happen, and without interrupting your XM Radio listening. -- VoiceCommand - Sophisticated voice control, developed by VoiceBox Technologies, for operating the radio, along with weather, traffic, stock quotes, and sports scores. Drivers will never need to lift a finger or take their eyes off the road again. -- XM NavInfo - Dynamic data service that utilizes the XM satellite pipeline to deliver point-of-interest data to the vehicle, such as nearby open parking space locations, local fuel prices, and flight information. XM NavInfo then relies on the vehicle's GPS to lead you there.
The infotainment vehicle is designed to illustrate how XM's next-generation technology can be implemented by its OEM partners. A 2008 Infiniti QX56 has been outfitted this year for display at the Detroit Auto Show at the COBO Convention Center in Michigan Hall.
About XM
XM is America's number one satellite radio company with more than 8.5 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2008 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2008. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.
About Baron Services
Baron Services is a pioneer in sophisticated weather analysis, and a globally recognized industry leader in delivering technology for the communication of significant weather events. Its patented and patent-pending Threat Matrix technology is one of many weather solutions offered by the company, which holds numerous technology patents for weather systems engineered to save lives and property. Operating primarily from Huntsville, Alabama, with offices in Oklahoma, North Carolina and Florida, Baron Services includes four specialized divisions, each responsible for innovations as diverse as cutting-edge radar systems, advanced forecast modeling, mobile weather analysis and localized weather displays, that continue to advance the science of meteorology worldwide. Befitting an organization adept at innovation, the company has installed all broadcast dual-polarimetric radars in the world to date.
Threat Matrix is a trademark of Baron Services, Inc.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-1-07. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department. Programming is subject to change.
