Internet Radio - how to get it

When it comes to Internet Radio you can set your PC or laptop to stream stations, but let's be honest, who wants the laptop next to your bed, or on the kitchen shelf. Or next to the tv? For these applications, a dedicated box that does just one thing, and does it well is what's required.

I started researching devices for listening to internet radio. (The last - and only - model I have sold is unfortunately no longer available - Freecom's MusicPal. Which is a shame as it was exceptionally easy to use, and, it just worked. And came in at a good price.



I even shot my own review video, but before I could upload, found a more than adequate description by Freecom themselves:


Oh! I see that I did actually get around to uploading my review and have had a massive 454 hits (please don't watch, my head might swell).  A more independent review by Micheal Sherlock describes it's functionality well.

What's new in the current iteration s the ability to access podcasts - which takes the radio concept further to an on-demand radio - sort of like a tape recorder ;)

However, for a better sound quality device, I would have to look further into the Squeezebox:





or the Livio Radio.

Reading around this topic of choosing a device, it seems that the important thing is not to tie yourself in to a particular portal for accessing the stations, as they inevitably will either charge at some stage, or will cease to exist. Look for the DAB+ certification - this ensures you can get to the current popular standard and lots to choose form see  Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus.

It also seems that most are running on the same basic chipset, and its just the housing, speaker, connectors and firmware that vary in quality.

And most are NOT available in New Zealand..

So while casting around for alternatives, I see that its no longer fashionable to restrict one's self to a device without a screen, even when just listening to the radio. There are a multitude of "tablety" devices with varying screen sizes that can pretend to be radios.

How many of which we can locally, and whether they will still work next year without requiring firmware updates is another question.
I found a few that I had no idea were competing with the iPad. (Don't get excited, there are likely not available here, and the prices are US$.) To see these reviewed just search on tablets at http://reviews.cnet.com/

(Not to mention the new kindle)

Where to from here?

Experiment with internet radio on your PC, where your beloved can hear it, and might get interested. Then you can casually comment that "the iPad can do that internet radio stuff, too" !? (Internet Explorer has been trying to lure us there for ages - their default bookmarks includes the MediaCenter-centric link to http://www.windowsmedia.com/radioui/home.aspx, but there are many others.

No, I don't work for Apple. Unfortunately.

Back to the dark side (where I am more comfortable!), you could go for Windows7 's killer app, the Homegroup - which when it catches on, will make keeping and finding media content in the household a breeze. At the moment, its just too hard. We all have Gigaturdes of stuff, but can never get to it or find it - let alone share it reliably.

Mark my words!