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Tech gadgets: Logitech Squeezebox Radio, XM Xpress RCi, Motorola Milestone and SlingPlayer Mobile | February 12, 2010
You don’t have to sit in front of your TV or stereo to enjoy your media
By Peter Wolchack
TekGadgets Archive
By Peter Wolchack
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Keep an eye on four radio stations XM Xpress RCi Satellite radio is a maturing technology and the Xpress RCi isn’t a huge leap forward, but it does offer some very nice features. The first is the ability to display what’s playing on up to three stations in addition to the current one. Don’t like a song? Simply scan the screen for one you prefer. The Xpress RCi can also pause, rewind and play up to 60 minutes of live radio and alert you when a favourite artist or sports team is playing. It costs $150 with a car kit and XM Canada subscriptions are $15 per month. The company also offers a free iPhone/touch app that will stream 100 channels to the device. The service costs $8 per month or $3 a month for current subscribers. |
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Wi-Fi radio done right Logitech Squeezebox Radio Logitech followed up its successful Squeezebox Boom player with the smaller and less expensive Squeezebox Radio, a stylish and functional player that’s a good buy at $230. The Wi-Fi-enabled radio supports Internet radio stations and online music services and can link to Mac, Windows or Linux computers to stream stored music. It also offers an alarm clock and the radio can be controlled through a Web browser or a $10 iPhone app. Logitech did not include a remote control, but that’s really the only downside here. The Squeezebox Radio offers good sound and good looks and can tap into a ton of music. |
TV on the go? There’s an app for that Sling Media SlingPlayer Mobile Slingboxes are small units you hook into a television signal and an Internet link, enabling you to watch your TV stations on any ’net-connected computer. A number of models are available, including the $230 Solo (pictured here). Owners of the Solo or Pro-HD models can add their iPhones or touches to the list of supported devices. The software comes with two caveats: it costs $30, which app buyers will see as pricey, and it only works over Wi-Fi, not the cellular network. If neither of those issues is a game ender for you, here’s the upside: the app works well. The picture and sound quality are restricted by the upload speeds typical on home networks, but the experience is quite acceptable and, besides, it’s all of your TV in your pocket and with no monthly fees or data charges. Where else can you get that? |
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Newest Android phone hits Canada Motorola Milestone Smartphones from RIM and Apple still rule the mobile roost, but Google’s Android operating system has the lead in buzz. The hottest Android phone in the U.S. right now is the Motorola Droid; in Canada we get the Milestone: different name, almost the same phone. The Milestone offers both a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.7-inch touch screen, 16GB of memory (expandable to 32GB) and—perhaps its best feature—a five megapixel digital camera with autofocus, dual LED flashes and image stabilization. And Motorola—in a nod to driving usability—will also sell a docking station that charges the Milestone and positions it for playing movies and music, displaying pictures and even acting as a bedside alarm clock. Pricing and the availability date on the Telus network had not been set at press time |
TekGadgets Archive
