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Roberts reveals RD41 DAB radio: high on features, low on style
Nah, Roberts' RD41 isn't quite as minuscule as its RD49, but unfortunately, it's essentially just as ugly. Taking a few notes from tableside radios circa 1990 (and sadly, today as well), Roberts has crafted a fairly well-spec'd DAB iteration that also does FM on the side, can record to an SD card and touts a dozen alarms that can wake even the most notorious slumberer. You'll also find MP3 / WMA playback from the SD card, rewind and pause functions, scrolling text about the station you're tuned into and audio in / out sockets to boot. Word on the street pegs this one at £139.99 ($277), but we'd recommend hiding it somewhere good before company shows up.[Via The Red Ferret Journal]
Revo intros Blik RadioStation DAB / WiFi radio
It's just been a few short weeks since Revo trotted out its Blik WiFi internet radio, but it looks like the company has already outdone itself, with it now introducing the new and improved Blik RadioStation, which packs the same WiFi and FM radio as before, with some DAB functionality thrown in for good measure. That, according to the company, makes it the first such radio to offer all three options in one package, although that distinction also considerably limits its appeal to those not bathed in DAB signals. If that doesn't preclude you however, you should be able to pick up the radio in your choice of black or white on December 19th for about £150 (or just over $300).[Via TechDigest]
Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio
Pure Digital is probably already bringing that DAB goodness to your dwelling, but we know how bad the withdrawals can be once you head out to the car. No worries, though, as the firm is cranking out "the world's first in-car DAB digital radio that doesn't require complicated installation," which is a fancy way of explaining that this unit relies on FM transmission to get DAB signals into your vehicle's stereo. As expected, the Highway gets its juice from a cigarette lighter adapter, and users simply affix a small DAB antenna on their windshield, find an open FM slot and tune their in-dash radio to match the station. Furthermore, the unit can even be used on-the-go, as it includes a built-in headphone jack and can go for six hours on a pair of AA cells. It even sports an auxiliary input along with Pure's ReVu technology to pause / rewind live content, and if any new features crop up in the future, owners can update their device via USB. Thrill someone you love (yeah, that can be you) this holiday season when it lands for £69.99 ($146).[Via Gadgeteer]
Roberts Radio Robi DABs up your iPod
Look, if you absolutely, positively must get some DAB into your iPod lifestyle, then you'll probably be somewhat interested in the Robi -- a new tuner from Roberts Radio which lets you pipe in smooth digital broadcasts via your regular old player. There really aren't a lot of plusses here; for £49.99 (or $100) you get a DAB tuner that also does double duty as a remote. Does this second function justify the cost? Probably not, considering all those extra cables and unsightly middleman, but if you've got a bad desire for digital radio, you could do a lot worse (you could also consider players with built in DAB functionality). Available now, it would appear.[Via Crave]
Vita Audio releases the R1 DAB / FM radio
For some reason DAB radio manufacturers love rocking the retro look, and Vita Audio's R1 is no exception. Featuring a DAB and FM tuners, the seven-watt single-speaker all-in-one also sports a two-line LCD and Vita's "RotoDial" controller, while still retaining an certain old-school charm. The unit also sports an 1/8-inch input for MP3 players and analog outputs if you want to add some DAB love to your existing rig, but something tells us the kids who drop £150 ($300) on this thing will want to put it out front and center.[Via TechDigest]
Cath Kidston partners with Roberts on flowery DAB radio
You already know what Cath Kidston can do, and it seems the designer is striking back once more by flowering up a Roberts DAB radio. Dubbed the Washed Rose, this retro-inspired device sports a cutesy floral pattern, built-in display, automatic tuning, a carry handle, PausePlus to pause / rewind live programming, and the usual complement of knobs and buttons. Granted, she ain't cheap at £200 ($402), but that's the premium you'll pay for a design such as this, we suppose.[Via RetroToGo]
iriver's B20 mini-TV features DAB / DMB in a familiar format
It took a little while to get it out of Korea, but iriver is finally giving the B20 DMB TV some circulation come September. With the still-sexy looks of the original Clix, plus hot DAB / DMB / FM tuners and full-fledged PMP function, there's a lot to love about the new DAP. The 2.4-inch screen does it up QVGA, and there's a pop-up antenna hidden in the back. It comes in 2GB and 4GB flavors, and includes an SD card slot if that's not enough to satisfy. We're hearing 27 hours of battery life, but no precise launch date or price info just yet.[Via PlayerBites]
Pure intros environmentally-friendly EVOKE-1S DAB radio
Looking to one-up the well received EVOKE-1XT is the EVOKE-1S, the latest DAB radio to fly out of Pure Digital's doors. This device supports the optional ChargePAK, features an OLED display, and is compatible with textSCAN and Intellitext as well. Furthermore, the 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack enables your favorite DAP to get some play time through this too, and the built-in FM tuner is always around for backup. Most notable, however, is the uber-green approach Pure took when designing this unit, as it arrives in packaging made from a minimum of 70-percent recycled material, consumes just one-watt of power in standby, is finished with water-based varnish, and includes documentation printed on 100-percent recycled paper. The EVOKE-1S will be available in real maple or cherry veneer, and will only run you £99.99 ($202) this September.[Via T3]
Bush launches TR04 touch-screen DAB radio
A touch screen on a stationary radio may seem a touch overkill, but that evidently hasn't stopped Bush from creating a DAB radio with one on the front. The ridiculously code-named TR04DABBLK has touch buttons in the place of physical buttons, and has up to 10 preset DAB stations, and 10 regular FM station presets. Other than that it features two line scrolling text on an LED display -- oooh, ahh -- and costs £45 (around $90). Move along please, nothing to touch here.
Aigo's DT5200 PMP handles DAB TV
The DT5200 may be a far cry from the Patriot UMPC, but Aigo's latest portable media player is still rockin' a decent array of specs for its size. This less-than-stylish device gets the message across with a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution display, and features a two-megapixel camera, SD expansion slot, rechargeable Li-ion, USB 2.0 connectivity, and an integrated DAB TV tuner to boot. Users can expect the unit to play nice with H.264, AAC, MP3, JPEG, and MPEG4 files, and the video out feature means that you won't be forced to strain those retinas if a larger set is nearby. No word on price just yet, but we're sure these will be all over Chinese shelves real soon.[Via PMPToday]
Digital download service coming to Pure's DAB radios
If you're feeling a little constricted by the relatively limited amount of digital download venues out there (especially across the pond), Imagination Technologies and UBC Media Group are on the rescue wagon. Recently, the duo has announced plans to create a service which will "allow listeners to purchase music directly from DAB digital radios." The system will reportedly combine Imagination's new DAB and internet digital radio platform with UBC's Cliq instant music purchase technology, which will satisfy the desire for instant gratification by providing a "buy now" option on select DAB radio stations. Exact terms remain undisclosed at the moment, but we do know that those oh-so-attractive Pure Digital systems will be among the first to sport said purchasing technology whenever it goes mainstream.[Via RegHardware]
Pure Digital's DMX-25 DAB mini system handles MP3 / WMA
While it had been a few ticks since Pure Digital gave you DAB listeners out there anything new to chew on, the Euro-based radio maker is back with yet another mini system designed to blast out tunes from the comfort of your living room. Encased in the firm's traditionally simple, classy design, the DMX-25 handles both DAB and FM signals and boasts dual 10-watt amplifiers, 4-inch mid-range drivers, 1.5-inch tweeters, scrollable text, RDS support, an LCD display, CD / MP3 / WMA compatibility, and two 3.5-millimeter line-in jacks for your DAP of choice. Furthermore, users will find the SD card slot and USB port handy for loading up flash-based media, and the wireless remote should keep you planted while scrolling through the stations. Still, all this functionality in such a decorative package won't exactly run you cheap, as you'll be ponying up £129.99 ($254) for this setup when it lands in April. [Via Digital-Lifestyles]
Gigabyte's g-Smart t600 and q60 phones
Taiwan's Gigabyte is a bit of a darkhorse in the Windows Mobile game around these parts, but it's been in the game for a while now and its latest round of devices -- getting passed around this week at 3GSM -- shows some R&D savvy. First up, the q60 looks sorta like a Nokia E61 on performance-enhancing substances, bringing tri-band GSM / EDGE plus HSDPA 2100, GPS, WiFi, and a DAB receiver atop a 520MHz XScale core. Next, the t600 tops out with GPRS data, but rocks DVB-H and a gorgeous (well, we can only imagine it's gorgeous) VGA display in addition to the usual spoils like WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. Expect both to be very hard to come by stateside, but we're sure it's nothing a determined importer can't overcome. See a big shot of the t600 after the break.Read - Gigabyte g-Smart t600Read - Gigabyte g-Smart q60
Denon's D-F103HRDAB Network Hi-Fi rocks DAB, CDDB capabilities
There's nothing like a good upgrade now and then, but when it comes time to throw down for yet another Denon product, your wallet can't help but cringe. Nevertheless, the firm is upping the ante on its D-F103 digital mini system by adding DAB radio functionality as well as CDDB Gracenote support. Sure, the system still touts the same FM and internet radio reception abilities, support for AAC, MP3, and WMA, and it can rip CD tracks directly to its hard drive, but thankfully Denon figured out that coloring the speakers in the same tone as the device itself was a bright idea. The device is also compatible with the ASD-1R iPod interface, and sports USB connectivity to play tunes from your ultraslim flash drive. Reportedly, users can even add WiFi via an "optional adapter," but we're not sure how much this subtle luxury will cost you. For £1,000 ($1,950), you can snap up the full monte -- FS-103 HiFi speakers included, or you can forego said drivers for a pair of your own if you've only got £850 ($1,658) lying around.[Via ShinyShiny]
UK regulator Ofcom considering phasing out analog radio
We keep hearing about this "new media" thing that's supposed to bring the imminent death of traditional print and broadcast media. Only problem is that those pesky old-school journalists still keep turning out printed pages and keep making radio and TV shows that are actually aired, over, you know, the analog airwaves. Well, the UK may be the first country to shut down traditional analog broadcasts in favor of digital radio (and probably those podcast things we've heard about). Red Herring is reporting that Ofcom, the UK's equivalent of the FCC, recently published a statement that automatic renewal of AM and FM licenses could "tie up very valuable slices of spectrum for 24 years" and that the spectrum should instead be used for mobile television and "more digital radio and data services." However, while traditional radio is unlikely to get shut down overnight, Ofcom apparently believes that it will get phased out pretty soon. We're guessing that by the time that happens, DAB radios will probably drop under the $100 mark, allowing us to finally enjoy the Beeb in full digital glory and on the cheap.
Pure's latest duo: the DX40 and Legato II DAB radios
Our favorite European radio maker is back at it again, not too long after unveiling its Marshall-fied EVOKE-1XT, with a new duo of DAB radios for the UK market. The Élan DX40 is barely distinguishable from its more feature-packed sibling, the RV40, aside from its noticeable lack of ReVu time-shifting abilities. It still sports the Intellitext / textSCAN features for pausing and controlling associated text, comes "ChargePAK" ready if you'll be needing 15 hours of on-the-go DAB capability, RDS support, alarm, and a USB connector for "future upgrades." The Legato II mini-system is a more home-friendly offering, boasting dual 30-watt speakers, black / cherry / maple color choices, built-in CD player, SD slot for recording "hours of DAB content," wireless remote, six-line LCD, ReVu / Intellitext controls, USB connectivity, eletronic program guide, RDS support, and even MP3 playback via CD / SD card. Pure's retro-styled DX40 (click through for a photo) will set you back just £69.99 ($134), while the classy Legato II system will run you £349.99 ($668) when they each hit later this month.Read - Pure Digital's Élan DX40 Read - Pure Digital's Legato II
Pure Technologies EVOKE-1XT DAB now comes in Marshall amp case
While Pure Technologies' EVOKE-1XT digital radio has already been out a couple years, the company decided its radio would look better encased in a Marshall amp. The radio's got everything that you'd expect from a Marshall amp, with the black wood durability, dark vinyl, but best of all -- this time it really does go up to 11. Further, there's apparently a "bass reflex port for enhanced bass performance" along with "active-filters to provide a natural 'direct-from-the-studio' sound," whatever all that means. Digital-Lifestyles tells us that this radio will sell in the UK for 100 quid ($190), hand delivered by Alice Cooper himself. We're not worthy.
Cowon iAudio D1 details emerge, to include DAB
Yes, it's been several months (ok, nearly a year) since the Cowon iAudio6 was released. Even still, Cowon isn't resting entirely on its laurels with regards to that one great player; it's been coming out with a flurry of other media players since, including the T2, F2 and most recently, the N2. Well it's time to welcome yet another member to the family: the iAudio D1. According to DAPreview, the D1 comes with a 1GB or 2GB flash drive, but the better news is that it also eatures digital audio broadcasting support. If that weren't enough, the D1 will also play back OGG and FLAC filesm and it can record voice and music via the built-in mic or line-in jack, respectively. The D1'll require that you front £150 ($282) for the 1GB version or £170 ($320) for the deuce edition when they're released next month in the UK.
Oracom's UB-1000 packs DAB, headed for Europe
You know how were were saying when we spotted the UB-890 that you'll probably never see it out of Korea? Well, we were half right. The UB-890 never did make it off those shores, but its quite similar successor, the UB-1000, is at least headed for Europe this October. The main addition seems to be the DAB capability, making it one of the smaller players around to support the standard, though the UB-1000 still manages MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, MPEG, AVI, WMV and ASF support. There's also FM in case you can't quite find the right smooth jazz station on the DAB spectrum, along with a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 screen, line-in recording and flash memory ranging from 512MB to 4GB in capacity. No word on price, and we suppose some Stateside action would be too much to ask?[Via MobileWhack]
Trinloc Fusion, smallest DAB radio, for real this time?
The last time we heard about the smallest portable DAB radio, it was the Roberts RD49, which claimed that it had the petite-factor all locked up. And then we came across the Trinloc Fusion, a new DAB radio shrunken down to 87.5 x 37 x 22mm (3.4 x 1.4 x 0.8-inches). It's got 1GB of storage and can play MP3, WMA, WAV, ADPCM (wow, old school), and OGG files, but if you get bored of music, it'll also display your snaps at 64 x 128. The €150 Fusion will stay juiced for up to 10 hours in DAB mode or 22 hours in playback mode, and is due to come out in November.[Via Stuff]
