Acoustic Energy's WiFi internet radio

It's not by any means the first WiFi-enabled internet radio, but Acoustic Energy claims that the big deal with their new model can access over 99% of all the different internet radio stations that are out there. The key seems to be integration with Reciva's internet radio Gateway, which automatically uploads new directory listings to your WiFi radio so you can keep up to date with the latest stations (it's not clear whether you can manually add a station or not, but it definitely looks like it'd be a pain in the ass to try and enter a URL with that rotary knob). Anyway, the Linux-powered AE Wi-Fi radio also doubles as an alarm clock and has built-in 802.11b and support for Real Audio, WMA, and MP3 audio streams (oh, and if you tire of listening to internet radio you can stream audio content stored on your home network). Should be in stores by November and retail for about £199.

[Thanks, icebin]

[stingraze @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Linux powered? hmm do I see a windows logo on the left corner?

[Sheldon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I think the Windows logo is to do with it supporting Windows Media streams.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Excellent, I am looking for the technology to mature so I can not only see the details of a song playing but click a button which saves them to my computer for later purchase or wish list, record strait to my computer and basically more interativity with the home computer

[Bruce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Just what I've been looking for - something to compliment my squeezebox linkstation network, shame it looks like something I would check my heart rate on !

[Martey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This does not seem like anything to write home about. It does not have support for WPA or OGG streams, and if Reciva goes bankrupt, you own a $350 paperweight. At that price with those features, I might as well buy a computer and speakers and put Linux on it myself.

[Permanent4 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Ummm... weren't we giving up on streaming and moving toward podcasting?

[lasean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

To #6

This doesn't appear to have any DRM. Unprotected pdocasts don't fly with music. Granted this device doesn't look that sexy, but it's a step in the right direction. I bought a Philips Streamium on clearance (US$130) and it's pretty neat having access to Internet radio stations in a stand alone device. Though you still have to connect to your PC for your personal music collection.

[bogart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

i'll be interested to hear this. acoustic energy makes phenominal speakers for the price, so one must wonder what this will be like.