internet radio information

ROBERTS RADIO
People have seen my Internet Radio, friends and family; its a ROBERTS Stream 83i, most ask why do I need one when you can get Internet Radio on a PC and I have several PC's. Its a good question.
My answer is this:
Its all about functionality & usability, its a strange thing that having a physical object that looks like a radio gives it an extra boost - it has a physical identity as an object; whereas a webpage linked to an internet radio station does not seem to possess the same credibility as the physical radio which has a 'presence.' Its a distinct object. But more than that it has great usability over a website link, or a WebRadio dashboard controller such as 'RadioTuna' or Aps for the Iphone and mobile IPad type clones etc. But that's not enough.
Its the functionality of it in the home. I can pick it up and plug in anywhere in the house and it sparks into life almost instantly, due to my home WiFi hub connection to the Internet.

Its all good but then using the radio makes it even better. Its got very good sound quality, three speakers: two front one at the back.

The menu was display screen a blue panel that always shows the time when not in function & selection mode is fairly intuitive, it has good usability functions that enable rapid scanning through channels, genres, categories etc and quickly with rotating knobs, rather than buttons you get on other systems.

http://www.wifiradio-frontier.com/setupapp/fs/asp/AuthLogin/SignIn.asp
This is the site associated with registering the radio & for setting up online personal favourite stations.

The radio includes DAB, FM and live streaming from your PC and you can preset push button channels for each operating mode (five for each). The radio has a USB socket for connecting it to the iPod and other devices, a LAN connector port and Aux in, line out and earphone connection plugs. It also has a LAST FM option but this means signing up and paying fees to listen to a catalogue that LAST FM generate from you musical preferences, mine are all on my PC and the radio happily streams various catalogues of my choice to me anywhere in the house and garden.

The fact is that this radio which gives me access to music from everywhere and in every conceivable genre from all the Internet Radio stations across the globe, gives me a better choice and a more immediate one than any ordinary radio or home hi-fi or CD player. I no longer need to seek out and load in CD's the usability is simply FANTASTIC it's the only convergent music playing device that I need in the home. Maybe I'll get another for the bedroom and use its nice alarm feature!

It could be improved:

Nice to have would be a picture display associated with the song, name of the song and artists - these need to be linked at the WebCasting internet radio station, not in the radio itself but a combination - requiring a better maybe touch screen on future models will then incorporate such features.

The amount of stations out there is a phenomenon that will, I expect, grow as more people can become their own Radio Station through their PC and Internet link. There are stations of all types from professional to amateur and all types in between, from 24x7 Goon Shows, Beatles, Abba, Motown, Ska, Pop, Oldies, Blues R&B, to radio play again options IPLAYER and Podcasts on, and on, and on goes the options, the coverage and the content. Don't ask me how piracy issues of music is going to cope with this!

Whilst on the subject if Mr Roberts is looking at this Lens; here are a few future feature ideas as manufacturers are under constant pressure to find a way to be distinct from their competitions.

This should be in the usability interface.

Here are a few:

A setting for 'station hopping' an auto 20 minute or so random link to Internet Radio Stations with an option to ad to favourites; this function would get a programme started of random music that was not boring as it soon moved on.

Taking this concept a further option to do the same with selected pre-sets with a timer function to play each pre-select or from favourites to play each for a time then move on; it keeps it fresh for the listener.

Many of the 'anorak' and special interest stations become repetitive after a 24 hour period the above options reduce repetition and introduce a more generalised favourite programme.

The only negative thing I can find with the Roberts Radio is that when station tuning you have to lean it backwards to set selections, it would be much better with an angled back screen set into the radio body. But that said what are you waiting for get one you'll be happy!

There is a link provided here to order, and NO I am genuine I don't work for the company!

Its not for sale in the USA with Amazon so here is the Amazon UK link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roberts-Stream-Stereo-Internet-Speaker/dp/B002VEN10O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295541020&sr=8-1

The only thing better is:
ROBERTS ColourSTREAM DAB/FM/WiFi Internet Radio with Dock for iPod and Colour Touch Screen

If you have deep pockets!

I am listening to my favourite Internet Radio Station: OLDIES PARADISE.

Soon great TV's will be Internet connected: convergence is about to begin.

And why not start your own Internet Radio - TV station!

Get in first its going to be the NEXT BIG THING!

http://www.listen2myradio.com/

http://radio.about.com/od/createinternetradio/a/How-to-Create-Your-Own-Internet-Radio-Station_3.htm

http://freestreamhosting.org/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/190705/start_your_own_internet_radio_station_for_free.html

http://www.broadcasting-software.com/

http://www.radiotoolbox.com/hosts/

http://freecast.co.uk/

http://www.icyshout.com/

http://www.ubroadcast.com/

http://www.iradeo.com/

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100928224112AAdp5WS

http://www.cleanradio.com/free-internet-radio-hosting.php

http://www.streamvera.com/

http://www.cannedradio.com/

http://www.blogtalkradio.com

http://www.radiotalkshowhost.com/