DABradio
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DAB radio gets 12 extra stations in the UK
If you have a shiny DAB radio sitting in your car or living room, now's the time to walk on over, turn it on and retune. Why? Well, a second "multiplex" has gone live in the UK today, opening up some much-needed airwaves so that a bunch of new stations can be broadcast. Once the process is complete, you should have access to the following: Share Radio, Premier Christian Radio, Fun Kids, Kisstory, Planet Rock, Absolute 80s, Sunrise Radio, Jazz FM, Awesome Radio, UCB2, Panjab Radio, and Heat.
Pure Oasis, Sensia and Sirocco 550 internet radios hands-on
Pure's WiFi-enabled radios are making their US debut here at CES, and we've gotten to grips with the top trio on offer. The Oasis (pictured above) is a weatherproofed, rubber-rich unit, which can resist splashes of water and go on for between 10 and 15 hours on a single charge. We agree it looks like a durable machine, but -- while it can reach some pretty high volumes -- the sound itself was predictably lacking at the furthest ends of bass and treble. Moving up in the world to the Sensia delivers a snazzier touchscreen interface with built-in Facebook and Twitter integration, but we clashed with some deal-breaking lag while using it. Finally, the top tier Sirocco 550 offers a more conventional styling to go along with a CD player (those still exist?) and an iPod / iPhone dock. Priced at $249, $349 and $449, respectively, these should all find American shelves to sing from by the middle of this year. %Gallery-82501%
Revo's retro-styled Heritage radio does DAB, WiFi and casual unboxings
It's fair to say that Revo has never made a "normal" looking radio in its entire life, but hey -- that's a-okay with us. The outfit's latest, which is up for pre-order right now at £229.95 ($382), is easily one of the sleekest, most vintage-looking we've ever seen it produce. The aptly-named Heritage sports a wood and aluminum motif, room for your iPod or iPhone to dock, and support for DAB, FM and WiFi radio signals. There's also an OLED display to keep you informed, support for wireless music streaming from your Mac or PC, a 3-inch neodymium speaker driver, 7-watts of power, a 3.5 millimeter headphone connector and even an iPod video output. Heck, they even throw in a multi-country power adapter as a courtesy to you yearnin' Yanks. Go on and tap that via link if you're interested in an unboxing. [Via Stuff]
Pure Sensia DAB / WiFi radio gains touchscreen, streaming and Facebook
Ah, convergence. Pure Digital -- DAB and WiFi radio extraordinaire -- has just made live a product portal for its forthcoming Sensia, which looks to be a serious leap forward in terms of features and design. For starters, this product ditches the typical retro vibe and goes for something entirely more Jetsons-esque, and while many of Pure's past radios have had some sort of display, the 5.7-inch touchscreen (640 x 480) is certainly a first. Boasting DAB and FM tuners, this device is also equipped with an 802.11g module that lets it pull down radio streams from the web as well as stream other media from networked PCs / storage. Other specs include twin 3-inch full-range drivers, an RF remote, optional rechargeable battery and a 3.5 millimeter socket for connecting those "other sources." Moreover, users will be able to tap into a variety of applications, from weather to news to Picasa to social networking. If all goes well, it'll ship before the holidays for £249.99 ($406).[Via Macworld, thanks Ian]
Monitor Audio Airstream 10 WiFi radio gets the hands on treatment
While Monitor Audio's new Airstream 10 WiFi / DAB radio unfortunately isn't a radio inspired by a vintage Airstream trailer, it is nonetheless pretty eye catching in its own right, and fairly full featured as far as WiFi radios go. Apparently, the radio can either be stood upright or placed on its side, and it'll let you listen to some standard FM or DAB radio, or hop onto a network via WiFi or Ethernet to either stream some tunes off your Mac or PC or tune into some internet radio stations. What's more, while Stuff.tv is apparently reserving final judgment for its full review, it does say that the sound quality doesn't disappoint, and it packs the usual 3.5mm jack to round out its options. Still no word on a DAB-less version for these parts, sadly, but those in the UK should be able to pick this one up starting in June.[Via SlashGear]
Arcam gets really official with beastly FMJ AVR600 AV receiver
We already knew of the FMJ AVR600 courtesy of a telling Dolby Volume release, but now Arcam has come forward with the full details on this monolithic creature. Wrapped in a sleek, subtle but altogether intimidating enclosure, the AVR600 houses a "huge toroidal power transformer and high efficiency class G amplifiers" that deliver 120-watts per channel. There's also internal decoding of DTS-HD Master, DTS High Resolution, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus formats, and the 5 HDMI inputs / 2 outputs should keep you busy buying new components. For two-channel freaks (you're undercover, but we know who you are), the beast can be transformed into a stereo powerhouse with a single button press. Unfortunately, pricing is still listed as "TBD," but if you really have to wonder, chances are your budget can't handle the truth. One more look (in black) after the break.
Nokia will gladly include DAB support on handsets... after it's popular
This folks, is a classic case of "chicken before the egg." Reportedly, Nokia's director of product and technology marketing Sari Stahlberg was quoted as saying that "when the technology reaches mass adoption we would consider putting DAB radios into our phones," but rather than supporting it now and assisting the technology in becoming adopted en masse, it's fine to just wait things out. He continued with: ""The more the technology is adopted across Europe and other territories, the more chance it's got of being included." Translation? "We'll gladly pull the trigger once it's safe, but don't count on us to increase DAB visibility in the mobile space."
Pure gets with the internet radio game, debuts EVOKE Flow
Man, talk about quick reflexes. Not even a fortnight after Radiopaq announced its WiFi radio-enabled Rp5, along comes Pure Digital to keep things competitive. The stylish-in-its-own-way EVOKE Flow not only taps into the intarwebz for streaming music, but it also includes FM / DAB tuners and support for DAB+. Expect it to hit British tables next month for £150 ($279).[Thanks, Joe]
Pure debuts ONE Elite DAB / FM radio
There are few more prolific DAB proponents out there than the folks at Pure, and it looks like the company isn't showing any signs of letting up, with it now introducing the ONE Elite radio to fill in its lower-end offerings. True to that status, this one keeps its features as basic as its appearance, with just DAB and FM radio and none of that fancy internet radio on offer, but you will get a line-in jack to accommodate the audio device of your choice, and even a USB port, although that's apparently only used to provide updates to the radio itself. Like its other recent radios, this one is also manufactured to Pure's own EcoPlus standards, and it's available in your choice of black or white, each of which will set you back £70 (or $140).[Via Tech Digest]
Roberts releases solarDAB: world's first solar-powered DAB radio
Roberts may get ridiculed for its design cues, but one thing's for sure: it sticks to its guns. The latest patently ugly (but sort of cute) DAB radio to emerge from its lair is the solarDAB, which predictably gets energized by the sun. The unit packs a top-mounted solar panel along with a "level indicator on the display screen that shows the strength of the solar level being absorbed." Once the rechargeable batteries are fully juiced, said radio will blast out tunes for a whopping 27 hours. You should be able to secure one in a variety of colors here soon for £79.99 ($158).[Via TechDigest]
Tangent's Cinque radio does DAB and more on your tabletop
Looking for something with a hint of style to take up that empty expanse that is your bedside table? Peer no further than Tangent's Cinque, which offers up DAB, FM and AM radio tuning within a compact (and fairly attractive) package. Besides pulling tunes from thin air, this unit also plays nice with CDs and any ole DAP you've got stuffed in your underused gadgets drawer courtesy of the built-in 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. Furthermore, you can set the alarm to wake you with music, and just in case you're not really feeling the hue shown above, it's also available in walnut, black and red for £239.99 ($478).[Via Tech Digest]
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]
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]
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]
Roberts RD49, the smallest portable DAB radio evar?
Usually the very fact that a manufacturer claims they've got the smallest version ever of a particular device is enough to question their assertions straight up, but in the spirit of "we don't really care because it's a DAB radio" we're going to award the medal without question to Roberts for their new RD49. Along with the hardly minuscule dimensions of 8.5 x 4.6 x 1.6-inches, the "smallest portable DAB ever" has an FM tuner, 10 presets, a tiny LCD and an alarm clock function. The radio can also be plugged into the wall to top-off its rechargeable battery, and should be available now for around £60, or about $114 US.
Pure Digital's ??lan RV40 time-shifting DAB radio
For you folks who can take advantage of the DAB niceties, Pure Digital has released a household radio that rocks time-shifting capabilities more commonly associated with your Sky+ box. The Élan RV40 sports a svelte silver finish with a hint of retro in the grille, mixed with the curves of a more modern device, and is fairly stacked with thoughtful extras. The standout feature here is the ability to pause and rewind live radio for up to 30 minutes without any external memory cards, so you can conveniently listen to your own repeats instead of getting flustered with the lack of new content coming across the air. Although a bit more subtle, another snazzy inclusion is the "textSCAN" technology that allows you to time-shift DAB messages, while also storing "special Intellitext message" that shows users late-breaking information coming across the newswire -- of course, the standard preset storing, alarm clock / timers, and RDS support is included, and Pure reportedly threw in "USB upgradeability" to add "new features" when available, whatever that means. While the unit is apparently made to double as a household decoration (or an awkward sidekick to your new Mac Pro), Pure kept the mobile crowd in mind by offering an optional "ChargePAK" to give you 15 hours of untethered musical nirvana. If you're lucky enough to be on the right side of the pond, and in the market for a radio that literally does a dab of everything, you can snap up the Élan RV40 in September for £89.99 (about $172).
