Tabletop, Car Internet Radio Stream Into CES
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/7/2010
LAS VEGAS — Tabletop Internet radios continue to stream into the market along with new car radios with Internet streaming capability.
At least seven companies entered the tabletop Internet radio market at last year's International CES, and at least three more will launch their first products here. More HTiB systems with Internet radio will also make an appearance.
On the aftermarket autosound side, Pioneer, Alpine and Jensen will show the first car radios with dedicated Pandora interfaces for controlling a Pandora app on a user's iPhone. In addition, new car radios are beginning to stream Internet radio via iPhone apps without controlling the iPhone app itself. This feature will be shown by Alpine, JVC and Sony.
Here's what you'll find in Internet tabletop radios at the show:
Acoustic Research: The next generation of Wi-Fi-equipped tabletop Internet radios sport embedded Wi-Fi and new cosmetics, and they add Pandora to the list of available Internet services. Like the previous generation, they feature Slacker Radio, Weatherbug and MP3 tunes services on top of access to individual Internet radio stations. They also feature alarm clock functions. Pricing and ship dates weren't available at press time.
iLive: The DPI brand's first tabletop Internet radio is the $149 iRP800B, a single-chassis tabletop model with no AM/FM but with iPod/iPhone dock on top, embedded Wi-Fi, and Ethernet port. It is Works With iPhone-certified.
Pure: The U.K. company enters the U.S with five tabletop Internet radios, all with embedded Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, FM tuner, auxiliary input, and ability to stream music from a networked PC or network attached storage (NAS) device. All are due at the end of the first quarter.
The Wi-Fi-equipped Sensia at a suggested $349 is an elliptical-shaped stereo radio mounted on a tilting stand and featuring 5.7-inch 640x480 color touchscreen. The touchscreen lets users swipe through views of Internet and radio content, podcasts, FM stations and songs streamed from a networked PC or NAS. The radio also displays weather and news updates, broadcast-station slideshows, photos from a PC or Picasa service, and Facebook and Twitter updates.
Sensia also features MP3 auxiliary input, alarm, timer, 30-watt amp, remote, and four color options. An optional ChargePAK rechargeable battery pack at a suggested $59.99 lets users take Sensia on the go.
A second product, the Siesta Flow stereo clock radio at a suggested $139, features touch-sensitive controls, auto-dimming display, four quick-set alarms; sleep and snooze timers, 30 presets, and a USB port for charging cellphones or powering USB-equipped devices such as reading lights.
The Evoke Flow at a suggested $229 is a mono model with optional stereo speaker. It features touch-sensitive controls, a retro box-like design with integrated carry handle, and an optional ChargePAK battery pack for portability.
The Oasis Flow, a mono model ruggedized for outdoor use at a tentative suggested $249, comes with weatherproof cast-aluminum chassis, OLED display, touch controls, Wi-Fi, FM and auxiliary input.
The top-line three-piece Sirocco 550 Flow at a suggested $449 is a stereo microsystem with CD, FM, iPod/iPhone dock on top, and touch-sensitive controls. It's certified as Made for iPod and Works With iPhone
All models connect to the Pure Lounge portal to access Internet stations and podcasts. Once a device is registered, users can set favorite stations, create their own program schedule, and download alarm tones.
Vizio: The company plans to show samples of its first two tabletop Internet radios, for shipment sometime later in the year. They might come with ability to stream music from a networked PC. Additional details were unavailable.
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