Internet radio with alarm

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bluedisk

204 posts

Master Geek

#265747 9-Feb-2020 11:22

We have shifted to a new house in the country with poor radio signals but like to listen to RNZ in the morning.
I thought I would just get an internet radio alarm clock that would do the trick by streaming. But it turns out this is a rare beast indeed.
I have an iPhone but I’m not crazy about always having to interface everything through my phone.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Uber Geek

#2414964 9-Feb-2020 11:42

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We have an old iPad that we use just for streaming radio stations, Spotify etc. Maybe an old phone or tablet of some kind? Just connect to your wi-fi.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

richms

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#2414967 9-Feb-2020 11:45

I have my echo wake me up to spotify, it might be able to do a station from iheart or something for an alarm.

Richard rich.ms

tieke

338 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2414978 9-Feb-2020 12:06

The Google or Amazon smart home devices would work for this - you can set alarms with your voice and either will stream Radio New Zealand. You would have to get one with a screen if you also wanted to see the time in the middle of the night without asking for it - I've found that the small Google Home Hub dims perfectly at night so that the clock is visible but the screen isn't faintly glowing next to my face, which is a problem I have had with other screen-based smart devices, but I haven't checked out the Echo Show in person.

I got mine cheap at a sale a year ago, but it looks like they're about $170 on Dick Smith at the moment.

tieke

338 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2414981 9-Feb-2020 12:15

I was going to suggest as an alternative that an aprox $25 shipped Echo Input would work plugged into the aux-in of an existing device, but it looks like Amazon have discontinued them? They might just be out of stock after they were on special at the start of the year - I know I bought several of them at less than USD$10 each.

Dunnersfella

3703 posts

Uber Geek

#2414998 9-Feb-2020 13:05

Oh dear god - why would someone want a speaker that listens to you in the bedroom?

Ewwww.

I would suggest something from the likes of Como audio... not cheap, but it ticks all the boxes without getting its 'creep on'.

bluedisk

204 posts

Master Geek

#2415042 9-Feb-2020 13:20

Dunnersfella:

Oh dear god - why would someone want a speaker that listens to you in the bedroom?

Ewwww.

I would suggest something from the likes of Como audio... not cheap, but it ticks all the boxes without getting its 'creep on'.

Yes my thoughts exactly, not a fan of listening technology (yes I know the iPhone does this too).

Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all...

michaelmurfy

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#2415056 9-Feb-2020 14:12

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Meh - use a Google Nest Hub in our bedroom and it is fine. There is a thing to remember with these devices:

1) It is only listening out for the wake word. This is done locally, not in the cloud.
2) If the wake word is detected (it has a local 2sec buffer listening out) - start listening (transmits to the cloud).
3) If you're not talking to Google, silently stop listening, don't save the recording etc else decipher what is being said, respond.

I chose the Nest Hub since it doesn't have a camera, and also has a hardware mute switch (cuts power to the microphones) unlike the Amazon version. You could fully mute it on hardware level. It also appears in our house as a Chromecast so you can actually cast content to it (or simply say "Hey Google, play Radio New Zealand on TuneIn").

Seems to be the perfect device for you to be perfectly honest.

davidcole

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#2415123 9-Feb-2020 15:25

Look at the amazon echo dot with clock. I beieleve it has a microphone cut off button. As long as you trust it.

The types of devices you’re looking for are very difficult to find.

For just an internet radio, I have been building a volumio machine on a raspberry pi with a pi hat dac amp....and building it in an old centre speaker. But I need a slightly bigger speaker or build my own speaker box to fit the extra hardware.

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qwertee

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#2415323 9-Feb-2020 22:11

I use the RNZ app on my android phone to listen to the radio bulletin .

rogercruse

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#2415343 10-Feb-2020 08:03

Sonos?

https://www.sonos.com/en-nz/home

We've been using our Sonos speaker to wake up to for years.

Sounddude

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Vocus

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#2415363 10-Feb-2020 09:13

+1 for Sonos also.

nitro

207 posts

Master Geek

#2415365 10-Feb-2020 09:29

Dunnersfella:

Oh dear god - why would someone want a speaker that listens to you in the bedroom?

Ewwww.

I would suggest something from the likes of Como audio... not cheap, but it ticks all the boxes without getting its 'creep on'.

google home devices have a mic mute switch.

nitro

207 posts

Master Geek

#2415367 10-Feb-2020 09:35

tieke:

I was going to suggest as an alternative that an aprox $25 shipped Echo Input would work plugged into the aux-in of an existing device, but it looks like Amazon have discontinued them? They might just be out of stock after they were on special at the start of the year - I know I bought several of them at less than USD$10 each.

even if this were available, it won't do the alarm clock bit unless the "existing device" is kept on all the time (can't wake it up from 3.5mm audio input). having it paired with a bluetooth speaker 'on standby' does not always work in my experience.

jonathan18

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#2415499 10-Feb-2020 10:51

If you don't want to go the 'smart' device route (eg GA, Alexa), then there is an ever-decreasing range of options, but there certainly are still some products out there: just search Amazon for 'internet radio' and you'll see devices that do what you're after, eg those branded Grace, Ocean...

A number of these look like UE/Squeezebox Smart Radio rip-offs, but I think they're missing the server-based aspect (so probably don't play content off a local server) - but I don't think you're looking for this anyway.

We're still using a Squeezebox Radio for pretty much exactly what you're looking for; even one of these second-hand could be an option (just don't use the server side of it). The sound of these is decent-enough, especially for talk-based radio; also have a battery, so can be used away from power for a decent period of time).

Dunnersfella

3703 posts

Uber Geek

#2415519 10-Feb-2020 12:49

To the OP, do you want a product with a clock on the front... ie an alarm clock?

If so, look for something like these:

https://beggsmusic.co.nz/yamaha-isx18-restio-speaker-bedside-clock-radio/

https://garyanderson.co.nz/product/como-audio-musica-cd-wifi-bluetooth-radio/

These are actual clock radios that offer internet radio (and terrestrial if required).

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