[Swprograms] OT: New Wifi Internet Radio $150US

[jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Checking the Best Buy website produced news of a new wifi internet 
radio on offer in the US that crashes through the previous price 
points for which such a device has been available here in North 
America.

The receiver is named the IntelliTouch Wireless Internet Radio, Model 
ITC-IR1000B.  It retails from bestbuy.com (apparently not yet 
available in the chain's stores) for $149.99 with free shipping.  Its 
dimensions are H-5.5", W-9.5", D-5.25" and weighs in at 5 lbs.  It 
requires connection via 802.11 a, b or g; and supports MP3, WPA and RM 
streaming.  The receiver has a four line LCD display, provides 128-bit 
WEP data security, and a 5W single speaker with "deep bass effect".  A 
purchaser reviewing the unit's performance referenced using with his 
stereo speakers, so apparently provision is made for external speaker 
connections.  

The only puzzler in the site's description is its reference to 
providing access for "up to 2500 radio stations".  This seems a low 
number, although elsewhere in the description the reference is 
to "over 2500 stations"; so maybe the person responsible for placing 
this in the store's catalog was less than sure about the capabilities 
of internet radio to begin with.  Browsing the wifiradioreview.com 
website, this unit appears identical to the Logik IR100, where it is 
stated that the receiver's operability is built around the Reciva 
technology.  That would place the number of stations available to at 
least twice the claims made on the Best Buy website.  The IR100 has 
been on the market in Europe for well over a year, selling in the UK 
last summer for as low as the equivalent of $100, so this product 
would appear to have a reliable and saleable track record.  The two 
customer reviews on the bestbuy.com site each give the receiver top 
marks.

Wifi internet radio appears to have been more quickly rolled out and 
embraced in the UK and Europe, but gradually many of these units are 
beginning to make their way across the Atlantic to us.  The $150 price 
point is the lowest I've noted thus far for a unit sold in the U.S.

John Figliozzi
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