Cambridge Consultants unveils WiFi RadioPro platform

Though not ubiquitous, portable WiFi radios are certainly still longed for, and Cambridge Consultants is hoping to stir up even more demand by offering up a low cost, customizable platform for theses devices to utilize. Shown originally as the Iona WiFi radio at CES, the platform has been renamed RadioPro, and it boasts a manufacturable eBOM of just $15. Furthermore, it supports over 10,000 radio stations, wireless upgrades and a flexible architecture that allows "full customization of the user interface and menus through a dedicated software development kit (SDK)." As if that weren't enough, the design also touts up to 25-hours of active streaming time on a 1500mAh battery, and if all goes to plan, we should see devices that rely on CSR's latest technology hit shelves before 2007 comes to a close.

[Thanks, Rob T.]

[superfresh @ Nov 14th 2007 8:29AM]

Sharpen the ends so I might include it in my ninja arsenal.

Sorry, I'm not carrying that around.

[Shane @ Nov 14th 2007 8:39AM]

I think you're missing the point...This is essentially an SDK and chipset that could be integrated into any number of devices. The Iona radio is just one possible form for this.

[superfresh @ Nov 14th 2007 9:48AM]

How could I miss the point? It has four of them. Hey-oooo!

[PJ @ Nov 14th 2007 8:42AM]

That looks a lot like the failed Pogo back in 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1773120.stm

[Marc @ Nov 14th 2007 9:24AM]

That struck me too! Let's hope its not such a turkey.

[Jon @ Nov 14th 2007 10:11AM]

No wonder it looked familiar.

I played with a Pogo once in a Carphone Warehouse. It was junk...

[FrankTheCrank @ Nov 14th 2007 9:13AM]

I already have a portable internet radio, it's called an iPhone. I can tune in any posted podcast and play it over wifi.

[N5PRE @ Nov 14th 2007 9:19AM]

Sorry, Frank, that's not live, therefore not internet radio. If you jailbreak your iPhone, I hear you can listen to some live streams through the iPod interface though.

[Yubastard @ Nov 14th 2007 10:22AM]

I wonder how this might be affected with all those hikes in licensing costs for the internet broadcasters?

Internet radio stations seem to be pretty vocal about it through their streams.

Looks good, though.

[eurobloke @ Nov 14th 2007 10:54AM]

Nice, but I thought Ambridge wouldn't allow such hi-tech technology in the village, as they don't have broadband. Plus, it might disturb the animals on the Grundy's farm.

[Dan @ Nov 14th 2007 12:53PM]

Now just add HSDPA and you have the final nail in the coffin for DAB.

[Fuzzball @ Nov 14th 2007 2:34PM]

I would love a device like this that could be set to automatically connect to any open WiFi and keep an active stream while hopping onto the strongest available signal while I drive. I know this would be difficult to do since it would have to disconnect the stream while on one AP, connect to a new AP, and reconnect the stream; probably would need a giant buffer and/or be able to connect to 2 APs at one time. I'd be willing to add a high gain antenna to my car if there was something like that available. And yes, I'm pretty confident there's enough open APs along my commute. I doubt I'll ever see something like this anytime soon though. I'll just continue to use my phone to do this and monitor my data useage so VZW doesn't terminate me for going over 5GB/mo. of data on my Unlimited plan.

I've checked out satilite radio and for the genre of music I really like, they don't have a station that just plays that. There are about 2-4 stations between XM and Sirius that play the music I like, however it's mixed in with other music I don't like. Only on DI.fm can I find what I like with a good selection and not to mention their awesome live sets they do. If XM or Sirius were to rebroadcast DI.fm content, they'd have my business in a heartbeat.

[Kris @ Nov 14th 2007 3:55PM]

I wanted them to put this functionality into the new Zune. Only problem is battery life when using wifi on Zune and iPhone are horrible. You'd be lucky to get a few hours playback.

25 hours playback? I want one.