Hasta La Gadget!

Just when we thought Grace Digital Audio had turned over a new, touch-friendly leaf, the company’s back with another WiFi internet radio that uses the frustrating Reciva interface. We can’t say we’re pleased, but the firm’s new $250 Wireless Stereo Micro System does have one new feature that might be worth checking out — it comes with a pair of handsome bookshelf speakers that connect over the ether as well. This time, you can not only connect to your home wireless network (or auxiliary media player) and pull down loads of tunes from the typical array of services — including Pandora, Live365 and Sirius XM — but listen in stereo too, while hopefully hiding that ugly four-line LCD and its irksome nests of menus from ever disturbing your view.

Continue reading Grace Digital punts WiFi radio into a wireless bookshelf speaker system, can’t escape Reciva’s ghost

Grace Digital punts WiFi radio into a wireless bookshelf speaker system, can’t escape Reciva’s ghost originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a heavy day at CES, and it’s also a big day for the folks at Pure. Not only have they provided an updated release time table for the Sensia (“later in 2011” for an unknown amount) and Sirocco 550 (March for $499), but it’s also branching out with a few unexpected launches. In order to get even more tunes to the outfit’s blossoming line of WiFi radios, Pure has revealed its FlowSongs cloud-based music service — put simply, it enables consumers to buy music directly from their radio and Pure’s Lounge iPhone app. Users are instructed to ‘Like’ songs on FM or internet radio, and then within the same interface, they’re able to click ‘Buy’ while simultaneously scratching that Instant Gratification itch. Customers can download high-quality versions of the MP3 onto their Mac and PC, and it’ll work on any Flow radio. Currently, the service is expected to launch as a public beta in North America this spring, with individual tracks priced between $0.99 and $1.49 depending on the publisher. Unfortunately, there’s a $5.99 yearly subscription to actually use FlowSongs, which all but guarantees failure in a world where $1.49 tracks feel too pricey on their own.

Moving on, the company is also dishing out a few hardware announcements. Up first is the Contour (shown above), an iPod / iPhone-friendly WiFi radio that touts a black crescent shape (not too unlike Meridian’s M80), touch-sensitive controls and a trio of video outputs (composite, component and S-Video). The One Flow ($149) is about as basic as it gets, rocking a truly retro motif, a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a pair of alarms. Wrapping things up, there’s the i-20, which is hailed as the only digital iPod dock available that supports component, S-Video and composite outputs. In a nutshell, it’s a video output stand for your iPod or iPhone, which may or may not be worth the $99 asking price. Head on past the break for specifics on availability, and tap that source link once your credit card is ready.

Continue reading Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service

Pure launches Contour, One Flow and i-20, also debuts FlowSongs cloud-based music service originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daddy doesn’t have to take the T-Bird away, he can just take all the fun out of driving it. That is, if the T-Bird is actually a Taurus. Ford’s MyKey system has been engendering teen resentment since the release of the 2010 Focus, allowing parents to limit max speeds and cap radio volume, but parental control doesn’t stop there — the 2011 MyKey can selectively block radio stations. Starting next year, parents will have the option to block 16 Sirius radio channels from the car’s dial, among them Howard Stern, Playboy, and Hip-Hop Nation. Optional radio censorship isn’t the only new feature for MyKey, which allows owners to program a key to fit their specific level of paranoia — the new version allows parents to set top speeds between 65 and 80mph, instead of the previous fixed cap of 80mph. Other controls carrying over from the original system include a chime that sounds at 10mph intervals, starting at 45mph, and an advanced notice when fuel levels are low. The new features will come standard issue on the 2011 Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer, and will eventually reach across both the Ford and Lincoln brands.

Continue reading Ford MyKey adds radio censorship to further control teen driving habits

Ford MyKey adds radio censorship to further control teen driving habits originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 07:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Got a leftover head unit sitting about? How about a PC power supply? Add a few old speakers, a oval bookshelf, a sewing machine box handle and some carefully prepared wooden panels, and you’ve got a beautiful retro radio that looks like several hundred bucks. User iminthebathroom built this one for a daughter’s Christmas present, but isn’t keeping the formula to him or herself — you’ll find a full walkthrough at Instructables if you’re in a MacGuyver mood, and a video after the break to show you what the cherry-red contraption can do.

Continue reading Oval bookshelf is the perfect case for this DIY car stereo radio (video)

Oval bookshelf is the perfect case for this DIY car stereo radio (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This gorgeous old-style radio is actually a DIY kit, made from cardboard. The faux-wood case hides a hybrid of the modern and the ancient. The radio stage uses vacuum tubes to receive and produce the sound, whereupon it is sent to an IC, or Integrated Circuit.

The Franzis Tube Radio kit comes with all the parts, knobs and dials you’ll need to build it (although the PDF instructions are only in Dutch or German), and the product page says that this is a world tuner, suitable for cruising the long-bouncing airwaves at night, ham-radio-style.

Even if you don’t want it, take a look at the instructions (the PDFs can be had from the product page). You’ll be treated to an incredibly in-depth manual full of black and white photos and even circuit diagrams. If nothing else, it would make a great gift for any tinkering nerd in your life.

The Franzis Tube Radio kit costs €50, or $66, plus shipping from Germany. I like it so much I just ordered one. Happy Christmas to me!

Franzis Tube Radio kit [Conrad Electronics via Retro Thing]

See Also:

• The 'Sickest Tube Amp You've Ever Seen'
• Vacuum Tube Chess Set Flickers and Glows
• Build a Vacuum Tube iPod Amplifier