Internet Radio

There is another Internet clock radio hitting the marketplace, the chumby one. It is similar to the original chumby device (now known as the "chumby classic"), with content available from more than 1,500 applications such as Pandora Radio, The Weather Channel, MTV, CBS and The New York Times. However, the chumby one has a few new features. It has an ABS plastic casing rather than leather, a battery option (using a standard rechargeable lithium ion battery), an FM radio tuner, and a volume knob.

Facebook and Twitter can be monitored, and photos can be shared from sites like Flickr and Photobucket. You can also watch sports clips, play games, or choose from more than 200 different clock applications to display on the touchscreen device. Read more

The way people are listening to music is changing. More and more music is being listened to on the computer than ever before. Yamaha pays attention to this. The proof is their MusicCAST2 Network Music Distribution System. It is an expandable wireless system that allows you to listen to music throughout your home. What makes even better is the MusicCAST2 works with your existing audio system as well, unlike some other network music systems.

MusicCAST2 is a WiFi-based system that connects to your computer to allow you to listen to music files, Rhapsody online music service, Internet radio, and NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices throughout your home. MusicCAST2 Network Music Players can playback music from iPod and Bluetooth devices via optional accessories, as well as from USB thumb drives. Read more

Onkyo today announced three network-and-internet-radio-capable, 9.2-channel THX Ultra2 Plus certified A/V receivers - the Onkyo TX-NR1007, TX-NR3007, and top-of-the-line TX-NR5007.

All three receivers include a rear-panel Ethernet port, and can stream music from Pandora, Rhapsody, vTuner, and Sirius Internet Radio services. Each receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and carries DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5 certification. They also include dual parallel HDMI outputs and ISF Certified Calibration Controls (ISFccc) for independent optimization and fine-grain adjustments of a full range of video sources.

The Onkyo receivers will be available in September at suggested retail prices of $2,699 for the TX-NR5007, $2,099 for the TX-NR3007, and $1,599 for the TX-NR1007. Read more

The SoundLink wireless music system is a one-piece portable speaker system that allows users to play music from their computer, wirelessly, in and around the home. No software or Wi-Fi connection is required. Just plug the included SoundLink USB key into the computer, select music from iTunes, Pandora, or any other Internet radio or music source and the audio will stream to the SoundLink system via a long-range wireless link that works through most walls and floors. It also comes with an infrared remote control and a lithium-ion charged battery.

The new SoundLink wireless music system comes in Gloss Black, and will be available from Bose beginning August 27, 2009, for a price of $549.95. It will be sold at authorized Bose dealers, Bose retail stores, www.Bose.com or toll free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673).

It is not just a radio; it is a device that can harness the music played on the Internet. It does not need a computer to access the World Wide Web, and is easily controllable with the very simple user interface and control dial. This new device can also play HD Multi-cast and DAB stations previously only available through very expensive HD or dedicated DAB receivers.

NetWorks from Tivoli is an amazing "Audio Device" because you can tune into Australian Opera from Sydney, Country Music from Nashville, or any other specialty niche radio station from any location in the world in its native language, and in real time. This is Global radio in its purist form. Yes, you can still listen to your favorite local radio stations too.

We have a Tivoli Audio Henry Kloss MODEL ONE radio in our office. This specific radio has a manufacturing date of October 2000. It is an amazing audio device in itself because it has a sound quality that cannot be found in other radios. The same is true for the Tivoli NetWorks that employs a full-range 3.5" magnetically shielded driver that is capable of high quality audio reproduction. Read more

Sonos just announced that they have released an update for the Sonos Controller for iPhone. With this update, the free Sonos Controller for iPhone now supports seven different languages (English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish), adds more features to the alarms (wake up to music, go to sleep to music), can playback DRM protected Microsoft WMA files, and can be set up computer-free. Also, since any music purchased from iTunes is now DRM-free, Apple iTunes music can now be played on the Sonos system using the Sonos Controller for iPhone.

In other news, Sonos also announced a new promotion that saves customers up to $199 when any Sonos ZonePlayer (ZP90 or ZP120) is purchased together with a Sonos Controller CR100. To add music to a room with existing audio equipment, the ZP90 and Sonos Controller combo is available for $599 (a savings of $149). For all other rooms, the amplified ZP120 and Controller combo is available for $699 (a savings of $199). The promotion expires May 31, 2009.Read more