Who here listens to their Am/Fm radios a lot? That's what I thought. Everyone likes to listen to a little radio once in a while, whether it be in the car, at home, or at work, radio has become somewhat of an essential in some of our lives.Unfortunately there are some problems that come with our good 'ol Am/Fm radios. One problem with Am/Fm radio is the fact that a really good song only comes on the radio once in a while. Who wants to listen to unpleasant music while waiting for something good to play? Not me! But this is yet a minor inconvenience compared to the advertising. Yes, all those annoying, obnoxious radio commercials! We all hate them but we deal with it because what else are we going to do?
Well I'll tell you what we will do; We have more options in today's rapidly growing technological world. Now, there is even satellite radio! But there is a big problem with satellite radio. Yes, IT COSTS MONEY! Money that we really don't want to spend. (and most of us don't possess)
However, there are alternatives to satellite and standard broadcast radio. Yes, you read that correctly. What are these alternatives, you ask? Well one option is an iPod. While it may not be in the broadcasting category it does however work incredibly well as a personal music device for wherever you are. Again, we are faced with that problem again. Yup, that'll cost you a little coin too.
But there is another option! Oh, and this is my favorite (iPods are my second choice). It is the beautiful sensation known as internet radio! Radio from the internet? You may ask. Why yes, and it works quite well too. You may also ask where to obtain said "internet radio." From the internet of course! There are many websites that offer FREE (I love that word too) internet for the masses (I will list some at the end of this post). Although some stations ask for payment, and I do encourage the investment, most are 100% FREE! The thing with internet radio is that it is on your computer. While this is very convenient for those of us who work with a computer but does everyone else have to suffer with no internet radio?
NO! There are solutions! One is the gaming wonder: the PSP (PlayStation Portable). If you are lucky enough to own one of these and have wireless internet available to you are in luck. The PSP now has an integrated internet radio browser built right in and I must say that it works nicely.
Another option is an iPhone/iPod Touch. These devices have web browsers and web browser + internet connection = free internet radio! I have not tested this on an actual ipod Touch or iPhone but it should work. Finally my last advice is a new technology which provides thousands of internet radio stations for your car! The service is from Blaupunkt and miRoamer. Never heard of them. Neither have I. But this really looks promising! Check it out! (Gizmodo link below)
LINKS
- A great internet radio site: live365
- iTunes also has excellent internet radio: Tutorial
- PSP internet radio: Information
- iPhone/iPod Touch Internet radio: Option 1 - Option 2 (there are more)
- Another great internet radio site: Pandora (I believe this is currently only available in the US) :(
- iPods (Purchasing): Apple
- New internet radio car player: via: Gizmodo
- One more exceptional internet radio site: SHOUTcast
Thanks to everyone who read this and found it useful. If you have any comments, please post and I will do my best to get back to you ASAP. If you are wondering why I did not post any links to Satellite radio providers, it is because I believe that they are a waste of money because of the other (free) options. I also encourage you to search for more free internet radio websites on Google. Good luck and may the power of technology progress!
,Karl with a C
