Roku is introducing the SoundBridge Radio, a complete wireless (Wi-Fi) music system, with a traditional tabletop radio form factor,
The SoundBridge Radio combines stereo speakers with a subwoofer, AM/FM radio, alarm, and Internet radio and digital music streaming features into a single compact component.
SoundBridge Radio lets consumers access traditional AM/FM radio along with their digital music library using simple and familiar radio controls. A few simple buttons for presets, scan, and source select make digital music easily accessible. Other features include a SD/MMC card slot and a volume-ramping alarm that wakes users to digital music, Internet radio, AM/FM, playlists, podcasts, or choice of several alarm tones.
SoundBridge Radio comes with a bright, vacuum-fluorescent display (VFD) that is double the resolution of the original SoundBridge. The remote control is also similar to that of the original SoundBridge, so consumers can browse and select digital music by artist, title, album, composer or genre from across the room. As consumers listen to music, the display shows the name of the song and artist playing.
The clock receives its updates from Internet time servers, while a built-in light sensor auto dims the display at night and the headphone jack lets users enjoy their music without disturbing others.
SoundBridge Radio includes all of the traditional features of SoundBridge as it can access playlists from both Mac- and Windows-based computers, and support music streaming in MP3, WMA, AIFF, WAV and un-protected AAC formats.
In addition to supporting all major digital music formats, SoundBridge Radio has earned Microsoft's PlaysForSure certification, so it is guaranteed to play music from services using Windows Media DRM 10 such as Napster, Walmart.com and Musicmatch. SoundBridge is certified to work with Real Networks' Rhapsody music service. Apple iTunes support allows playback of un-protected AAC or MP3 files.
SoundBridge Radio will sell for US$399 beginning in early November when it arrives at consumer electronic retail stores in the USA.
